Chapter 51: Spotting Nathan!

Rachel's POV

The rain hammered against us as David and I finally reached the cabin, a small structure barely visible through the storm.

My clothes clung to my skin, and my hair was plastered to my face and neck. Every muscle in my body ached from the long journey.

"Thank god we finally made it," I said, my eyes scanning our surroundings cautiously. "Are we going inside?"

David nodded, his breathing still heavy from carrying me in wolf form. "Yes. We'll change clothes here and rest. There's a car nearby—this cabin is just a place to hide the vehicle, a temporary stop."

"I understand," I replied, instinctively touching my stomach, feeling the faint mind-link with my unborn cub.

The connection was growing stronger each day, like a tiny flame I was determined to protect.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the clothes David had hastily stuffed in earlier. My fingers brushed against the hunting knife I'd discovered in his jacket and hidden at the bottom of my bag.

The cold metal sent a chill through me that had nothing to do with my wet clothes.

David shifted back to human form, and I quickly handed him his clothes, turning away to give him privacy while my mind remained alert, refusing to trust him completely.

Inside the cabin, I searched for towels while listening to David's footsteps behind me. His scent carried an undercurrent of unease that made my wolf growl softly within me.

I kept my back to him, pretending to be focused on drying my hair while he changed.

When I turned around, I caught him frantically searching through his jacket pockets, his eyes occasionally flashing gold in the dim light.

My heart sank. He was looking for the knife.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me.

David jumped slightly, clearly startled. "I... uh... dropped something. It might be in your bag."

"What is it? I can help you find it. I have some personal items in there," I replied, letting my hair fall forward to partially hide my expression.

"Just let me look," he insisted, his scent growing increasingly agitated.

I clutched my bag tighter, positioning myself closer to the door. My wolf was fully alert now, sensing the danger.

"Rachel, I told you you're safe with me," David said, taking a step toward me, his scent attempting to convey sincerity.

"I know," I replied, taking a matching step backward. "But I wanted to ask you, David—why is Madison doing this?" I needed to buy time, to figure out my next move.

"What do you mean?"

"You must be exhausted from that long run. Are you sure you don't want to rest first?" I suggested, my voice deliberately soft and concerned.

David's eyes narrowed. "I'm fine. What do you mean about Madison's motives?"

"I mean, it doesn't make sense, does it? Why would she help me? She has no reason to." I watched his reactions carefully.

"She doesn't want your cub around, like she told you," David explained, his voice growing harder. "She needs your baby gone so if she ever has one, it can be the heir."

"Then... why not just... kill us?" My voice trembled slightly. "That seems more like something Madison would do."

"I can't answer that. Rachel, give me your bag." His tone left no room for negotiation.

"So... that's how it's going to be?" I felt strangely calm, almost detached.

"I need to see your bag."

In one swift motion, I pulled out the silver knife. "Is this what you're looking for?"

David's eyes widened, then narrowed dangerously. "Rachel, you're her biggest threat, the only one who could potentially take what she has." His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "The order I received was to end your life!"

"David, please..." My free hand instinctively moved to protect my stomach.

Then something unexpected happened. David's expression softened, and he lowered his hands. "But I never, ever wanted to hurt you. You know that, don't you?"

"You... you're not going to kill me?" I couldn't hide my shock.

"No, Rachel."

"But when Madison finds out..."

"She'll get the news that you're dead," he assured me, his voice growing slurred. "Madison is just a spoiled kid. You don't need... don't need to worry..."

To my astonishment, David suddenly swayed on his feet before collapsing onto the floor with a heavy thud. Within seconds, he was snoring softly, his scent becoming stable and calm.

I stared at David's unconscious form, hardly daring to believe my plan had worked.

The sleeping herbs Emma had given me "for pregnancy insomnia" had been much more potent than expected. I'd dissolved a generous amount in the water I'd offered him earlier.

After confirming he was deeply asleep, I quickly moved into action. I searched his pockets, finding the car keys and an envelope stuffed with cash.

Despite everything, I felt a pang of gratitude toward him for ultimately choosing not to harm us.

I carefully arranged David in a more comfortable position and covered him with a blanket.

It was the least I could do for someone who, in the end, couldn't bring himself to carry out Madison's deadly orders.

Using my enhanced werewolf senses, I followed the faint smell of motor oil and metal through the rain-soaked forest. Within minutes, I found a black car hidden among the bushes.

I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the connection with my cub strengthen momentarily. "Let's get out of here, little one," I whispered.

For the first time since our escape began, I felt my heartbeat steady. I could breathe freely, and my wolf calmed, focusing entirely on protecting the precious life growing inside me.

As dawn broke, I pulled into a large parking lot in Eastern Harbor of Emerald City. I'd changed David's planned route, trusting my instincts over his directions.

I carefully checked the trunk, discovering a suitcase filled with clothes, essentials, and fake identification documents. After a moment's consideration, I decided to leave them behind. My wolf could detect Raymond's pack scent on them—too risky.

Using some of the cash, I purchased new clothes from an early-morning shop—a simple cotton dress, a wool cardigan, a blonde wig, and sunglasses.

My transformation complete, I discarded my old clothes in a dumpster behind the store.

As I made my way toward the harbor, planning my next destination, a tingling sensation at the nape of my neck made me pause.

Someone was watching me. I quickly dismissed it as pregnancy-induced paranoia and continued walking, my wolf constantly checking for unfamiliar scents.

"The boat to the Eastern Continent is now boarding!" The announcement echoed through the harbor.

I hurried to the dock, purchased a ticket with cash, and boarded the elegant passenger ship. The blue-uniformed worker barely glanced at me as he checked my ticket.

"Welcome aboard. Your cabin is 7."

"Thank you," I replied softly, keeping my head down as I passed quickly.

I found a secluded seat at the stern, placing my small suitcase beside me. Despite the numerous human and werewolf passengers bustling around, no one paid me any particular attention.

Still, my wolf remained uneasy, sensing something I couldn't identify. I scanned the crowd carefully but detected no unusual scents or faces.

As the ship slowly pulled away from the dock, a wave of relief washed over me. We were free—my cub and I could start a new life away from the Ironjaw Pack, away from Nathan's deadly plans for me after the birth!

When I stood to find my cabin, something made me turn for one last look at the land I was leaving behind.

That's when I saw him.

Standing on the dock, staring directly at me, was a tall, imposing figure with piercing gray eyes that were rapidly turning gold. The cold pine scent hit me like a winter storm, so powerful I could detect it even at this distance.

Nathan!!!

How had he found me? I thought everyone believed I was dead!

As the distance between us grew, I could see his eyes blazing fully gold now, his expression a mixture of rage and something else I couldn't name.

I backed away from the railing, my legs trembling. The ship continued moving, carrying me toward freedom—or so I hoped.

But the image of Nathan standing on that dock, his golden eyes fixed on me, told me this escape might not be as simple as I'd thought.