Fox Ensnared

part 14

Payton POV

The wedding of the year starts in a few hours. I need to eliminate my mark before the full moon arises or risk becoming a chew toy for a bunch of angry mutts.

I am cursing that I am out of scent blocker, but several kinds of shifters are in attendance, so maybe I can blend in. I was shocked to see so many Lion shifters here. Wolves and Lions don't usually get along. I assume it's some of his business associates. I pray it's none from the black market episode. They will know my scent.

I plan on slipping in with the other guest. I stole a beautiful dress from a store in the city before I left. I have to admit I look stunning. It will be a shame to ruin this dress, but I am sure it will happen one way or another tonight.

The guests started to pour in. I stick to my plan and file in behind a group of rowdy young pups. So far, so good.

I try my best to hang back away from the guest and upwind. Robert Price is an arrogant son of a bitch. He walks around like he is untouchable. I plan on touching him a lot before the night is over. The more he smiles, the more I think about killing him in front of everyone.

The drinks keep flowing, and the guest gets more keyed up. The moon is rising. I need to act soon. There is no way to get him alone. I should throw in the towel and try again another time. But would there be another time?

I am racking my brain for ideas when a shifter wraps his arm around my waist. He is drunk on fae wine."Care to dance?" He sniffs my hair, and confusion lines his face. "You smell weird." His voice slurred from the alcohol.

Shit, I don't have time to deal with this."You sure know how to complement a lady." I unwind his arm from my waist and put space between us.

"Sorry, I just meant you smell like nothing I have smelled before." He reaches for me again.

"It's the fae wine. Sometimes it messes with your senses." I hope he is dumb enough to fall for my crap.

He laughs and downs the rest of his wine. I move to the side just in time to catch Price walking into the house. Now is my chance. I dart away from my drunken admirer. I peek through the window before I go in. I see Price enter another room that looks like his office.

I follow him. The house is empty but for a few omega servants. They pay me no mind to busy making sure everything is perfect for the wedding.

I pause outside the office. All I hear is rustling papers. I left my dress and pulled out the blade tucked between my thighs.

"There you are, love. You got away from me". Damn, this drunk shifter to hell. He is going to ruin everything. Price walks out of his office simultaneously, arms grabbing me from behind. I turn in said arms and pull my suitor in for a kiss. I am sure to rub all over him to mask my scent.

As soon as Price is gone, I shove him off me; it takes all my self-control not to stab him. He stumbles back into the wall, and I use the opportunity to skip out. Screw this! Time for Price to die.

I walk out after him. He stops to grab and drink, and I pretend to trip and fall into him. His arms come up naturally to catch me, giving me the perfect opening.

His heart.

I plunge the blade in and twist. He throws me off him, and I fall into the table of drinks. Everyone turns toward the commotion. I row under what is left of the table as the chaos erupts. It seems no one knows what happened. Price is drowning in his blood and silver poisoning. I am soaked in fae wine, which saves me. The tart alcohol covers my scent. I crawl out from under the table and slip away into the crowds of guests. I am almost to the gate when I hear the worst three words. "Get the fox!."

Damn, so close.

I take off running and shift as I jump over the gate. The full moon mocks me, as the wolves will be faster and more bloodthirsty than usual. I head for the forest. It's my best chance.

I can feel them right behind me. Teeth snap around my tail, taking skin and fur off. I dart under some rocks and crawl through on my belly to the other side. The wolves are all digging at the other end. It seems the full moon doesn't make them smarter. I bolt out and take off as fast as my little fox legs carry me.

Unfortunately, the wolves don't take long to pick up my trail. I scramble up a mountain of dirt and inhale. I smell water up ahead; maybe I can throw them off that way. I follow the smell and sound of running water until I come to the fast-flowing creek. I don't think I just jumped in the water. The current washes me downstream and into several rocks. I have never been more thankful for my fast healing than now.

I am exhausted, bloody, and bruised, but I no longer hear the wolves. The water worked!

I paddle to the side and try to crawl out, but the current is too strong. I lose my grip, my claws sliding through the muddy bank. I get pulled under, swallowing a mouth full of water. When my head breaks the surface, it's just in time to see the tree limb before it smacks me in the head. The darkness comes, but I am too tired to fight it.

I feel cold and at peace. In the back of my mind, I know I am drowning, but I don't fight it; I just slip away.