Leo
Liam and I stare at Willow as she walks away.
I walk away from Liam to walk after her, but Liam casually jogs, and stands in front of me to block my way.
“Stop trying to turn my girl against me, or I’ll...”
“Your threats are getting old.” I cut in dismissively, gazing at the corridor where Willow was a few seconds ago.
“I can’t wait for the day you regret...”
My smart watch buzzes, signalling the ringing of my phone. I grimace when I see Mike’s name, and I wave Liam off before walking back into my apartment to take the call.
“Bro,” I say, while I try not to sound too annoyed.
“Bro, we’ve run out of stuff. When will you deliver?”
“How soon do you need it?” I exhale.
“You can send it today. You always make extra.”
“Well...” I trail off, wondering if this is a good time to tell him that I want to stop making limbicus.
“Don’t tell me you have been slacking off.” His words me out of my train of thoughts.
“I'm out of town.”
“Really? They said they saw you outside my club, leaving with your sister today.”
These talkative idiots who have turned themselves into Mike’s spies.
“I was there to fetch my sister so that we could leave.”
“Okay, make me smile man, by tomorrow. You know who to call when ready.”
I nod absent-mindedly, as if he can see me.
“Leo?”
I clench my fist. Doesn't he understand what I have just said about being "out of town"?
“I’ll bring the merch tomorrow,“ I sigh.
I pace around the room, trying to think. Damn it, Mark! He is going to stop at nothing to make me continue making limbicus for him.
I run to Carkeek Park to clear my head, and I look around for a safe place to hide my clothes before shifting.
‘Well, well, what do we have here?’ I hear voices in my head, and I smell different familiar scents.
I tune in on the mind links, and listen as they are discuss what to do with the human girl in front of them.
I slowly walk toward the scents, my heart beating faster as my suspicions increases. There is only one human who has access to this forest.
‘Let’s just put her in the dungeon until we decide what to do with her.’ One voice says.
‘I think we should kill her. She might be a witch.’ Another voice interjects.
‘Exactly! She is not a wolf, but she was able to pass through the enchanted gate without some kind of a strong spell.’
I hide behind a tree, knowing that hell would break loose if I get noticed. After all, I’m practically a rogue.
‘What do you want here, Leo?’ I hear another mind link, and I turn around.
‘To check on my sister.’ I fold my arms defiantly.
‘It is not your home anymore. You are a rogue, and I have a good mind to break that neck of yours.’
‘You hate me that much?’
‘You chose your path. You never man up, and I blame your mother for that.’
I wince when he utters the words, but I quickly change my expression to look calm.
He knows how to hurt me, and he always mentions my mother whenever he can.
‘I wish your opinion mattered to me, but it doesn’t.’
‘You...’ He clenches his fists.
‘Hold on Alpha Hunter, don’t overuse your strength. You need it to find the next mate to abuse and you will let her die on her own.’
I notice his grimace at my comment.
‘At least our mom loved us.’
‘If she did, she wouldn’t have given up and... ‘
‘Died?’ I ask bitterly.
“Don’t ever set foot here ever again.” He says in a low and threatening voice.
“I have nothing to lose.”
“I see the distress your eyes. You love her. So, I’m going to save you from the heartbreak.” He smirks.
He walks past me, then he shifts. His howl echoing throughout the forest.
I wait for him to disappear, before following at a safe distance. While using his scent to guide me to her.
Then I see Willow, standing in the middle, surrounded by most warriors of the pack, like a criminal.
I quickly take off my clothes, and I immediately shift and move between the trees, not caring about calling attention to myself anymore.
I see the fear that she is trying to hide in her eyes, and she remains rooted, as if she can’t find a way to get out of the situation, no matter how much she searches her brain.
“Listen!” She says authoritatively, causing the ears of the wolves perk up. I also get startled at her bossy tone.
“I know that you are wolves that can somehow understand humans, and I am begging you not to kill me.” She looks around the quiet wolves. “I won’t tell anyone about your existence. I love animals, and...”
The wolves interrupt her speech with growls.
I chuckle, thinking about the day she called me a “good doggie”, and how pissed off I was.
She takes a few steps back, her eyes widening. Then, she grabs a handful of wolfsbane out of her bag and drops it.
The wolves scatter when they smell the wollfsbane, and she drops it behind her while she runs.
I smile, in awe of how brave she is, and finally making sense of why she is wearing gloves.
The wolves are left standing still, seemingly shocked, before taking another route, and I run behind them, using my scent masking potion to my advantage. At least they won’t smell my presence.
She runs, showing that her life depends on it, then she slows down. The pack lets out grunts of satisfaction, satisfied with their results.
Damn it! They knew she would run out of wolfsbane before she reached the edge of the forest, and she would obviously be exhausted. They going to kill her and my dad would be happy about that.
She stops, her breath rapid as they close in on her. She closes her eyes, probably telling herself that at least she tried, and of cause, she always knows when to give up.
I decide to risk it all, surprised by my willingness to sacrifice myself for her. I convince myself that I’m a good person and I won’t let anyone die on my watch.
I mentally prepare myself, and I jump in, standing in the middle of the circle of wolves, then I look into her eyes.
She instantly recognizes me, and she exhales, relieved, and I wonder why she trusts me. Isn’t she supposed to feel only calmed by the energy of Liam’s wolf?
I bow my head, letting her climb on my neck, then she quickly moves to my back and holds on both sides of my neck.
The other wolves watch with shock, recognizing me, and confused on how to take the next action. I'm the alpha's son after all. They all turn and look at Alpha Hunter.
I run before they make up their minds. The trees turning into blurry images as my speed increases.
When I smell their scents getting stronger, I run like a mad dog, using all my energy and alpha strength to outrun them.
When I’m almost at the end of the forest, I find Alpha Hunter waiting and standing in front of me. His eyes glowing with a shade of orange, and his pupils dilated, and I suddenly know that he would kill me as well if he must.
Fuck! This is where I wish there was a mind link between me and her. Then I would tell her to run and get a cab before the rest of the wolves arrive.
‘It seems I can outrun you. I’m not an old man, after all.’
I look around, trying to think of a quick decision that won’t land Willow's life in danger.
If I let her get off my back, she would be at a huge disadvantage, and if I keep her on my back, she would still be at a disadvantage.
I drop my head without thinking, and she gently slides off. She panics for a moment, before hiding it with a faint smile and a nod of appreciation.
"It's time to give up. Isn't?" She whispers, her eyes filled with tears.