Only For Her

Nicely played, Alpha

We shift back and I stand beside the door. Luke and Jai look at me strangely and I bump my hip against the wall. I hold my hand out and the key falls into my palm. I open the door and find that no one has been in here in months, maybe a year. "Who lived here?" Jai asks as he closes the door behind him. "My guardian. Or ex-guardian." I answer and find a folded up letter on the counter.
Hayden, if you are reading this I'm long gone. I never got to apologize for what happened that day. I was doing what I was ordered to do and I couldn't fight it. I never wanted to hurt you, but smelling that Alpha all over you drove me and my wolf over the edge. I may be an interloping Alpha that hasn't had the chance to learn how to be one, but I understood one thing. I was ready to challenge that Alpha for you. But I know you won't stay with him for long. He wasn't the challenge you need. I hope you find your challenge and are happy with him. Just know, I love you. And I always will.
     Ryan

I fold the letter back up and turn around. Jai and Luke look at me with question in their eyes. I don't say a word and they wrap their arms around me. I don't cry or make a sound. I just find the comfort I need from their touch.

"Okay, dinner." I say and they look at each other. "Do you want to go out, or cook?" I ask and they don't answer. "Asking you two is pointless. It's like talking to a wall." I mutter and open the fridge. I close it the moment I open it. It was recently stocked up. I slowly turn and see Luke and Jai both had their mouths duck taped shut. Jai and Luke are tied back to back by a rope that I recognize immediately. It was the silver intwined rope that Ryan and I used to tie up Blake when he went feral.
Stop moving around, it's silver.
I can tell. It burns.
I'm going to find who did this. I tell Luke and he nods. Then his eyes widen in alarm. I feel the cold metal press against my temple and I stay still. "Corey." I growl. "Hayden?" I hear the confused answer. I turn around with my hands up and I look into Corey's baby blue eyes. My hand covers my mouth and he drops the gun to his side. "I thought you were dead!" I scream and back away when he takes a step towards me. "I had to get you back." He says and tries to come closer. A synchronized pair of growls answer his words. I remove the tape from their mouths and Corey looks at me confused. "Who are they to you?" He asks. "We are her mates. Who are you to her?" Luke growls and I grab a knife to cut the ropes. "Her first mate." Corey answers and I look at him. "It was Jackson that had me first. Then you." I correct him and his eyes darken slightly. "Now where is my cousin?" He asks and I point to the door. "At your home." I answer and I give him a cold look. "I can't go back until I get the signal." He says and I hold back a growl of annoyance. "What signal?" I ask. He averts his eyes and I growl. "The signal that Jai and Luke were killed." He answers and I move protectively in front of them. "You are not going to kill them." I snarl and he shakes his head. "Not me. The pack." He answers and places the gun on the counter. "They followed your scent." He says and I look at him. He places a finger against his lips and points to his ear. I do as he says and I can hear the barking and howling of the pack in the near distance. "You need to run back to the house where you were with your father." He says and I nod. "How are we going to get out?" I ask. "There's a way." He says and he leads me to the back. He opens a door and shows a clear trail hidden by the trees. "Shift and run. Make a left at the aspen. You'll find a wall of green with small pink flowers. Go through it. You'll find the Sanctuary." He says and my eyes flash in recognition. "You know where to go." He smiles and I nod. "Now go. I'll hold them off." He says and I nod. I press my cheek to his for the first and last time before shifting and running.

What was that all about? Jai grumbles and I butt his head.
He was helping us.
No, not that. The way he looks at you. He growls and I hear Luke's low growl.
The both of you need to stop. There's nothing between Corey and I anymore.
How can you be so sure Corey doesn't feel anything for you? Luke asks and I growl.
Just stop. Please. I say and they look at each other.
Fine. They both say and I give them a grateful look.

We continue running until I mark a sharp turn. I slow and look for the curtain. I run my muzzle against the plants until I feel a breeze. I cautiously step through the curtain and find it empty. I continue going and I jump when I feel hot breath on my ear.
Relax, it was me. Luke says and I calm down.

We come to an opened area with a single home overlooking a creek. Behind it is the single waterfall that is feeding the creek. I run up to the door and shift. I run my nail along the outer doorframe and try to find the nook. I pull and grab the key. I unlock the door and walk in. Luke and Jai come in and I lock the door behind them. "What is this place?" Jai asks and I look down. "Alpha James calls it the Sanctuary. It's where Addy and I were sent to ride out our heats." I answer. "Why would you be sent so far away?" Luke asks. "We didn't want another accident to happen." I say and he looks at me. "Another accident?" Jai asks. "I got pregnant. And I was forced to get rid of it." I say and I don't feel the normal anguish I get whenever I speak of it. I have finally healed from the past mistakes I've made. And it's for the better.