Covet

Chapter 5

PLEASE READ

TW FOR MILD VIOLENCE AND GORE

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I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of wolves that surrounded me. They all towered over me, which while it made for great protection in hiding me from the man who thinks I'm his mate, it definitely freaked me out. I follow the flow of the people, down stairs and through halls, but I break off once I feel that I'm far enough away from the man.

I could tell all these wolves were on edge. Their senses thrown off by the loud noise.

Once I break away from the wave of people, I burst into a jog trying to find something that looks familiar to me so I can make my way back to the clerk's office. But my steps start to falter because even if I make my way back there, Mal would be gone. I pulled the fire alarm so he would also be trying to make his way out of the building.

So he could be anywhere.

Dread fills my chest. I should have never run from the man. It was so stupid and selfish of me. The memory of the man being flogged in the town square flashed in my mind. I was going to get Mal hurt. They would do imaginable things to him for helping me escape. Now that I ran, Mal would, with no doubt in my mind, help me escape in a heartbeat.

I just sealed his fate.

I start to slow in my steps, but still look in every direction, making sure the man isn't following me. What would I do if I even found Mal? I don't want him to help me, I can't have him help me. But, I can't even remember a time when I haven't had Mal in my life to help me. I start to hyperventilate and go into a dimly lit room nearby. I crouch down behind the door and sink to the floor.

The pain in my knees and shoulder start to catch up to me, making me cringe in pain as I look at the state of my brand-new dress after my escapade.

A front piece of tulle was ripped, still hanging from the dress by a fabric. Two red splotches stained the once beautiful white color from the scraped skin on my knee. I pulled up the dress to look at my knees tp see that the skin was ripped and bloody. I can feel the burn of the injury multiply from just looking at it.

I pulled my dress back down and hugged myself, trying to make myself as small as possible. I so badly wanted to disappear, to turn invisible so no one could find me. It was such a simple concept to turn invisible, why couldn't I do it?

I could feel the tears rush to my eyes, I hold back a sniffle. I put a hand on my heart, feeling the tremors race through my chest. I can't start freaking out now. I still have to find Mal.

I still have to find Mal.

A sob would have almost broken through my lips, if it weren't for my hand to stop it.

The halls were quiet now, spare for a few steps, everyone most-likely almost out of the building.

I could hear steps coming closer to my hideout, but I just let my small and scared gasps take over my body. I keep my eyes closed, the mentality of what I can't see can't hurt me lull my senses.

The steps get closer and soon I feel a calloused hand gently grasp my arm. I look up through teary eyes and see the flecks of gold in my almost-husband's hazel eyes. I can only let out a shudder before Mal wraps his arms around me, the familiar rugged smell and touch of him helping my tears dry faster.

After a moment Mal leans back, keeping his hands on my shoulders.

"Mal...there's this man who thinks I'm his—"

I can recognition flash in Mal's eyes before he cuts me off, "Mate." I look to him in confusion and he answers my unspoken question. "I heard a group of wolves talking about the North American Alpha having a human girl as his mate."