Inescapable Love

Chapter Ten: Injured

When I slept, I dreamed. I wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but I didn't like it.

I saw Chris talking to James, whispering to him about something. I walked up to them, but they didn't notice me. They continued to whisper.

"You slept with her?" James asked incredulously.

"I had to!" Chris snapped, his face looking angry.

"Just to make Adam angry?! What, all of this is just to get territory?! Chris, we don't need territory that badly!" James hissed, looking equally as angry.

"Listen, I don't care. It's working." Chris said with a shrug.

"Have you remembered the fact that once you sleep with a human you have to bite them or they'll die within a year?" James reminded him impatiently.

"I haven't forgotten. I'm still figuring that part out." Chris mumbled.

"So you'll just let her die then? She's not some type of animal to be thrown around! She's not a dog!" James shouted.

"We're the dogs you idiot." Chris replied harshly.

"And I can see why you're our leader." James snapped back, crossing his arms. I saw Chris grow furious, and then he snapped at James as he burst into his wolf form, growling menacingly. James backed up, and just as Chris lunged I heard myself screaming.

I woke up with my heart pounding rapidly, but I hadn't moved from the position I fell asleep in. I was still wrapped in Chris' embrace as he held me tightly, the warmth radiating from his body. Suddenly I didn't want to be in his arms. The dream had seemed so real. What if he was only using me to get territory? What if he didn't care that I might die after he slept with me? I had never had a dream like this before. It was extremely vivid, and I didn't think I could have been just imagining it. I looked up at Chris' face and saw that he was still sleeping peacefully, so I slipped out of his arms and got dressed, taking a deep breath. It was the middle of the night, but I could do this. I had to be able to do this. I couldn't stay here anymore if Chris was just using me. I remembered telling him that I loved him. I hadn't lied. I did love him, with everything I had. But my instinct was telling me to get out of here, so I followed it. I slipped on my sneakers and darted downstairs, opening the front door slowly. I crept outside and shut the door behind me, running into the darkness. I knew where my house was, and I knew how to get to it. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with my mom where she could tell me everything was alright.

I ran through the forest as fast as I could, hoping that somehow I could reach my house before Chris realized I was gone.

To my surprise, soon I saw the opening in the trees that I had been looking for. I ran towards it and burst into the clearing, spotting my backyard just a few yards away. A smile spread across my face and I jogged up to the backdoor, using the key under the mat to unlock it and get inside. I took the key with me as I tip toed to my room, and then I opened my door to see my bed sitting exactly how I had left it. I sighed and flopped down onto the bed, closing my eyes instantly. Oh, how I loved my room... I felt my heart pang with guilt when I remembered I had just left Chris, but then something else struck me. He was a werewolf, a dog... I was a human being. Could we really be meant for each other? I began to think the dream I had was stupid, but there was no way I was going back into those woods to risk it. I think maybe I had overreacted a bit. Now I just wanted Chris.

ADAM POV

It had worked! I was able to connect to Miranda through Chris while they were asleep! By using the mind link to communicate with Chris, I had stolen his link to Miranda, momentarily placing the vision in her brain. I hadn't thought it would work, but it did! And Chris would never know. I needed to get her away from him. He wasn't right for her.

I made Miranda think Chris was using her, and he didn't care about her at all. Minutes later I saw her run out of his house and dart into the woods. Heading home I guess. I smiled. Now she was safe from him. He was a monster, and even if she wasn't my mate, I still cared about her. I cared about the fact that she stayed alive. I cared that she was safe.

MIRANDA POV

I had a hard time trying to go to sleep. I was confused, yet exhausted at the same time. My mother didn't know I was home yet, and I felt like the decision to leave Chris' house hadn't really been my decision. Could other werewolves get into my mind? I didn't think so, and the only werewolves that wanted me away from Chris were the wolves in Adam's pack. Just to be sure, I knew I would stay away from Chris for a few days, but I couldn't stay in this house and let my mom find me. Not yet. With a sigh, I climbed out of bed for the second time tonight, opening my bedroom door and quietly making my way downstairs. As soon as I stepped outside and closed the door behind me, I felt like I was being watched. I tried to ignore the creepy feeling as I walked into the woods and headed to a place that I had always known and loved. The clearing. I stumbled over fallen branches and loose rocks, but I finally came upon the small meadow. I walked into the clearing and made my way to the other side, where there was a large rock with a flat face. I sat down so that my back was pressed against it, and then I sighed in defeat. Tomorrow I planned on going to Katherine's house to stay there for a few days, but right now it was too dark for me to get there safely. At this moment, I had nowhere to go. Nowhere at all.

I soon found myself drifting off to sleep in the uncomfortable posistion I had chosen for myself, and I didn't fight the feeling of exhaustion that swept over me. I felt my eyes getting heavy, but I still couldn't get rid of the fact that it felt like I was being watched someone. Or something.

CHRIS POV

I woke up expecting to feel Miranda's body pressed against mine, but the bed was cold and empty. I shot up instantly and looked wildly around the room before I caught her scent. I jumped out of bed and threw on a pair of boxers before I sprinted down the stairs and out the door. I shifted into wolf form and howled as loud as I could. Minutes later I felt the rest of my pack shift as they ran to meet me. I didn't wait for them. Instead, I ran into the forest and shot like a bullet through the woods, determined to find Miranda.

About halfway through the forest I caught another scent that mixed with Miranda's. James. He was already following her trail. But why hadn't he contacted me about it? Just then, six wolves appeared beside me, looking worried.

James is gone. David said mentally.

Why? I snapped.

When you howled he realized Miranda was in trouble, and since he caught her scent and guessed she wasn't far, he took off after her. David explained. I shook my head and turned back to her trail.

It doesn't matter right now. We have to find Miranda. I growled. I shot off after her trail, noticing that James' scent was fresh, meaning he wasn't far ahead. I sped up, hoping James had found Miranda, but in the back of my mind knowing he hadn't. He still hadn't found her. Not yet. I hoped he wasn't in trouble.

I heard sounds up ahead, and I skidded to a halt when I came upon the scene. James was circling another member from Adam's pack, and they were snarling at each other. I could see that James wanted to pass the wolf so he could get to Miranda, but it looked like the other wolf wasn't gonna let that happen. Suddenly, the two wolves leapt at each other, and their fight began. My pack and I watched in awe at James' determination, but then I realized I was an idiot to just stand there.

Make sure he stays distracted while I go find Miranda. I ordered. My pack nodded and I shot past the two fighting wolves, sniffing the air and sensing that I was getting closer and closer to Miranda. I burst out of the trees and found myself in a small clearing, and I spotted Miranda curled up against a large rock just a few feet away. I sighed in relief and walked over to her, noticing that she was shivering without a jacket. I laid down and curled my body around hers, making sure not to wake her up. My warm fur instantly stopped her shivering and I posistioned my head so that my muzzle was tucked into the crook of her neck. When she woke up in the morning, I would find out why she ran away.

MIRANDA POV

When I woke up I felt warm and comfortable, and that confused me. I thought I had fallen asleep against a rock! I tangled my hands in the warm furry thing that was curled around me, and I heard a sound in my ear, almost like a low whine made by some type of animal. My eyes fluttered open and I was met with the bright orange eyes of a familiar black wolf. I gasped in shock and pushed him away, instantly realizing that it was Chris. I had promised myself that I would stay away from him for a few days! I quickly stood up, but so did Chris, his orange eyes pleading with me as he stayed in his wolf form. I turned around and began to run, but a voice in my head stopped me.

Miranda, wait. It said. I froze in shock, and looked back to see that Chris was still sitting there and staring at me with his big orange eyes.

"Did you just talk to me?" I asked incredulously, wondering how he could communicate with me mentally while in his wolf form. He nodded his head and then took a step closer. I stepped back at the same time and he cocked his head to the side in confusion.

Wait. he repeated softly, his voice echoing in my head. I froze again as he walked forward, and when he was only an inch in front of me his form shimmered and he stood there half-naked, in human form.

"Why did you run away?" he asked in a hurt tone.

"I-I had a bad dream, and it seemed so real that it frightened me into leaving." I explained.

"What kind of dream?" he breathed, and I felt his hands rest on my waist.

"I dreamt that you were arguing with James, a-and I wasn't really your 'mate'. You were just using me for territory, and then I heard James say that once someone like you sleeps with a human, you have to bite them or they'll die. T-Then you said t-that you didn't care!" I sobbed, and he pulled me forward so that my head was tucked in the crook of his neck and his chin rested on my shoulder.

"It was just a dream Miranda. I would never say any of those things. And you are my mate. I'm not using you to get territory." he said as he held me tightly.

"B-but it seemed so real." I whimpered. I felt Chris freeze, and then he cursed.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Adam made you have the dream. He put the vision in your head so you'd stay away from me. That's why it seemed so real." Chris growled angrily.

"Adam did this?" I asked, shock and hurt coloring my tone.

"Yes, in his mind he's doing it to protect you, but I would never, ever hurt you Miranda." Chris said as he planted a soft kiss on my neck.

"I made love to you because I wanted to, and it's not true that you'll die if I don't bite you. I won't bite you unless you want me to." Chris said.

"So none of it was true?" I asked softly, sounding like a child.

"No, it was all a lie." he replied. Suddenly I felt extremely guilty, and I realized that Chris would never do any of the things he had done in the dream. I pulled away slightly and pressed my lips to his, kissing him deeply. He groaned and kissed me back eagerly, and I felt his arms pull me even closer against his bare chest. He was warm, even in the chilly morning air, and he prevented me from being cold. I knew I would never trust any of my dreams again before talking to Chris. I could trust him no matter what happened. I felt him deepen the kiss and I pulled away from him before it went too far. He just held me to his chest and I listened to his heartbeat slow down until it reached its normal rate.

"Let's go home." he suggested. I nodded and then he took my hand as he led us back into the forest. Just as we exited the clearing, a low growl stopped us from going any further. Two wolves stepped out from behind a fallen tree, their teeth bared. They were from Adam's pack judging by the color of their fur, and then before anything else could happen, Adam stepped out to stand in front of the other two wolves. He was in human form, and he crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw clenched.

"Miranda, get on my back." Chris whispered, low enough so only I could hear. I nodded and he helped me onto his back so that my legs were wrapped around his waist from behind and my arms were wrapped around his neck. I peeked over his shoulder to see that Adam was glaring at him.

"Chris, let her go." he demanded venomously.

"No." Chris replied firmly.

"It's for her protection. She shouldn't be around you and your pack. No matter if she's your mate or not, her safety matters more than what your instincts tell you." Adam said.

"I don't want to leave him. I love him." I protested, causing Adam's eyes to flicker over to me.

"I know he told you that he wouldn't hurt you, but werewolves are unpredictable." he growled.

"You hypocrite! You're a werewolf too, and you never had a problem with dating her!" Chris shouted, his body shaking with anger beneath me. I tightened my hold on him nervously and he turned his head slightly to whisper in my ear.

"Keep holding on." he said. I nodded and he looked back at Adam.

"Let me pass." he snarled.

"Leave her here and you can go home." Adam replied sternly.

"Go to hell." Chris muttered, and then he leapt forward and I felt his skin turn to fur beneath me. I gasped in shock as I realized I was clinging to his back as he ran in wolf form, and I looked behind us to see that Adam and his two pack members were chasing us. Adam had phased too, and his teeth were bared as he caught up to Chris.

"Chris, run faster!" I said worriedly, causing him to speed up. I heard him growl, and then I heard his voice in my head.

Adam isn't carrying any weight on his back, and we can run the same speed if I don't have anyone on my back either. But since I'm carrying weight, he'll catch up to us. I can't do anything to stop it. Chris said. I glanced behind me again to see that Adam was directly behind us. My heart pounded in fear and I gripped Chris' fur, causing him to grunt. I could hear him panting for breath as he attempted to push himself faster. I heard a growl and I turned to see everything happen in slow motion. Adam lunged and I saw his teeth gleam before his jaws locked around Chris' hind leg. I heard Chris yelp before he stumbled and fell. I was thrown off his back as we both rolled down the hill, and when I sat up I saw Chris trying to heal himself. Adam slowly advanced on us, his jaws red with blood. He didn't look like he was after me, just Chris. He wanted to kill Chris. The other two members of Adam's pack caught up to us and they both flanked Adam, advancing on Chris and ignoring me. Chris was still healing; there was no way he could hold all three of them off. I think I knew what I had to do. I stood up and slowly crept towards Chris behind the other three's backs. I bit my lip and then flung myself at Chris just as one of the wolves leapt. Chris seemed shocked, but I only clung to him tightly and squeezed my eyes shut as I felt a sharp tear in my side. It stung badly, and then I heard a shocked whimper and more growls erupted from out of nowhere. I peeked to see that the rest of Chris' pack had arrived and they were now fighting Adam and the other two wolves. The pain in my side distracted me and I cried out before I felt warm arms surround me.

"Miranda." I heard Chris say softly. I took his hand in mine and squeezed it tightly.

"W-What did you do?" Chris asked worriedly. I glanced down and followed his gaze before instantly wishing I hadn't. My shirt was ripped to shreds on my right side, where blood covered my body and trailed off my skin and onto the ground. A pool of blood was beginning to form around me, and I felt Chris scoop me into his arms.

"Good thing Adam's not the one that hurt you. If it had been him you'd be a werewolf by now." he said with a sigh as he began to run in human form with me in his arms.

"What's so bad about that?" I mumbled.

"You'd be in his pack." Chris reminded me. I suddenly understood and nodded slightly as I fought to stay awake.

A few minutes later, we reached his house, and I could feel myself gasping for air.

"C-Chris, I can't-"

"Shh. I'm gonna fix you up." he assured me as he jogged up the stairs and laid me on the bed. I felt his warm hands sliding off my shirt, and then he surveyed my wound.

"Here, hold this here. I'll be right back." he ordered, handing me a towel and instructing me to keep pressure on the continuously bleeding wound. I hissed in pain and he disappeared into the hallway, only to reappear moments later with a bundle of stuff in his arms. He helped me sit up and lean against the headboard, and he took a wet washcloth and cleaned my wound. Then he put some type of medicine on it and began to wrap a long bandage again and again around my waist. Once he had wrapped it around enough times, he secured it tightly and then glanced up at me. I was breathing heavily from the pain, so he took a deep breath and placed his palm flat on my stomach. I saw his eyes glow orange as he concentrated, and then the pain instantly disappeared. He sighed deeply and I reached up and touched his cheek, feeling better already.

"W-What did you do?" I asked tiredly.

"I numbed your pain, but it takes a lot of strength to do that. I need to rest and then I'll be fine." I nodded and curled into his chest as his arms wrapped around me. I remembered I was topless when my breasts brushed against his chest, and that brought back memories of last night when we had made love. I blushed and let him hold me tighter as we drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.