Run From The Alpha

Chapter 8

Small flames licked the air before falling back down only to be rapidly replaced with another flicker. The wood underneath was charred but a red glow occasionally seeped through the cracks. The occasional pop pop of the wood was a comforting thing to focus on as I tried to stay awake.

"Here." My focus on the fireplace broke as my Dad held a warm biscuit and a cup of coffee in front of me. I smiled up to him as I took it. He left to the kitchen but returned moments later with the same offer for Peter. He was sitting next to me on the couch in Lucas's living room.

The trip back to pack lands was long and cold. The warmth that Lucas's body provided did little to handle the wind - him and Blake had ran hard and fast for hours on end. It was amazing that they did so with no complaint. The trip they made to come after Peter and me plus the trip back meant they likely hadn't slept or eaten since they discovered I had left.

Halfway through the trip we stopped for Lucas and Blake to rest. It was cold but the lack of wind was welcomed. Peter would barely talk to me and the other men stayed shifted into their wolves - probably out of respect for the lack of clothing they had to replace the ones they tore when they shifted at the lake. They'd be warmer as a wolf anyways. Lucas had tried to sit near to me so I could stay warm with him but I avoided showing any affection in front of Peter. I knew that it would hurt Lucas for me to do so but it was the best of my options - play Switzerland until we got home safe.

When we finally got closer to pack lands, wolves started to fall into line around us. We were still miles from the closest house - my parent's house - but they were obviously ready for us. Seeing their fellow wolves relaxed Lucas and Blake. Our pace had slowed. I was surprised when I began to recognize the woods but we kept running, shifting our direction. We didn't end up in my parent's backyard but instead came out of the woods at Lucas's cabin.

My parents were there waiting for us as was Amos Stevens. My parents ran to my side. While my mom was hugging the life out of me, my dad checked on Peter, who looked like he wanted to take a year long nap and then run far away from this place.

Blake and Lucas moved around the house - disappearing likely to get dressed in privacy. The others that had escorted us back into the lands ran back into the woods. Amos waited for my parents to calm down and then gestured for us all to go inside through the back door.

The biscuit flaked a bit in my hand. I happily bit into it and followed the bite with a sip of my coffee. My stomach ached - begging me to eat more. My eyes were heavy.

"Peter?" My voice cracked a bit but after clearing my throat I continued. "I'm so sorry."

"Not your fault some maniac kidnapped me." He tried to bring humor to the situation but it fell flat. "I can't believe I was actually kidnapped. Is kidnapped the right word for it if I'm an adult?"

"I think it still works," I replied.

"Kidnapped by a crazy wolf guy. He was a wolf right?"

"I think so," I answered.

"Casimir. That's exactly the kind of name a bad guy would have." Peter's lighthearted statements had a heavy tone behind them but we slowly slipped into being more comfortable again. Everything seemed almost like it was a bad dream now.

I could hear Amos talking with my parents in the kitchen but made no effort to understand what was being said. The little moment that I had to just sit, be tired, and joke with Peter was welcomed. It was short lived, though, as Lucas and Blake descended the stairs and came into the living room. They were both in a pair of jeans - Lucas in a plain blue t-shirt and Blake in a black one of matching style.