Hay Creek

Chapter 25.

I crouched behind a sleek black Range Rover, my heart racing in my chest. I pressed my hands against it, trying to steady my breathing. Just then, I felt a few drops of water on my forehead. Glancing up, I realized it was dripping from the ceiling. I shook my head, attempting to shake off the fear that clung to me. I really wished Kai were here.

The moment I heard footsteps, my attention snapped back to reality. A loud chuckle echoed, signaling their arrival.

"Why don't you make this easy for us? Show yourself, and we won't hurt you," a girl called out. Were they serious? That's what they all said. I turned to peer through the car window, but I couldn't see anything.

Suddenly, a boy growled menacingly. It sent a chill down my spine. "Stop it. We need her alive. Those are the orders," the girl replied, her tone steady. The boy let out a sinister laugh. "That doesn't mean I can't have a taste."

Instinct kicked in, urging me to flatten my hand against the ground. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Somehow, it felt like I could hear them more clearly. Their footsteps grew louder, inching closer by the second. I opened my eyes and faced the direction of the elevator. I could make a break for it, but that wouldn't be wise. Finding a better hiding spot seemed like my best option.

Just then, I felt a cold aura envelop me, and I heard Kai's voice in my mind. Avery... Relief washed over me. He was nearby. I'm here.

I'm with Archer, Lachlan, and Stella. I'm sending Stella to find you and get you to safety.

Do you see them?

Yeah, I do. His voice felt frigid, just like the aura surrounding him. Then I heard him speak aloud. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Look—oh—look who we have here. The famous young alpha," the boy sneered.

"You should've just answered my question." Kai's tone was unnervingly calm. "So, who sent you two to come and take what's mine?"

"I honestly didn't think you'd come to fight for it yourself," the girl replied.

"What kind of alpha would I be if I didn't." Kai retorted, his voice sharp.

"True. But honestly, we didn't come to fight," the girl said.

"Then what was your plan? Did you think it would be as easy as the foolish words coming out of your mouth?" I could hear Lachlan and Archer chuckle in response.

"Well, I guess not," she admitted.

"Oh, for wolf's sake, can we just get on with it? I'm starving, and we can't go back without her meat," the boy growled roughly.

"Meat. For your own sake, I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Kai said pleasantly.

"Thanks," the boy replied, but all I heard next was a deafening roar. They had already started fighting.

I shook my head and closed my eyes, but they flew open when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped, but it was Stella. She quickly pulled me down and covered my mouth with her hand. Relief flooded over me; I hugged her tightly. "Yeah, yeah, I know you're happy to see me," she whispered, completely unaware of how much I truly needed her.

"We have to hurry. I was given strict orders to get you as far away from here as possible. Let's go." I didn't hesitate to follow her. I trusted that Kai would be fine—he had two strong allies by his side.

Stella and I moved swiftly yet cautiously through the parking lot.

"I just don't understand what they want from me," I murmured.

Stella stopped and turned to face me. "It doesn't matter. They want you, but you are not for sale. We're not letting anyone wrap our female alpha up that easily." She flashed me a reassuring smile. I returned it, but it faltered when my phone rang. Oh no, I had forgotten to silence it. Stella's expression shifted to concern.

"Where are you going? Stay right here!" Archer's voice echoed through the parking lot.

"They're onto us," Stella said urgently. "We have to move."

We quickly ducked between the cars. "I found you!" a voice yelled before someone tackled me to the ground, using all their weight.

"You've got some nerve," Stella snapped.

It was the girl from before. "Damn, you're a pretty thing. Now be nice and make this easy."

"Easy my ass," Stella retorted, lunging at her and grabbing her by the shoulders. The girl screamed, struggling to break free. "You're messing with the wrong pack!"

"Am I?" the girl laughed derisively.

She managed to get Stella's hands behind her back, but Stella retaliated with a swift head kick. The girl stumbled back, clutching her head. "You bitch!" she growled, shifting into her true form. A dark brown wolf with lighter highlights emerged, her eyes now a fierce shade of blue. Stella laughed. "Look at you. Bad, bad wolf."

"I'll kill you!" the girl screamed.

"Don't make a fool of yourself," Stella said before turning to me. "I'll handle this, Avery. You go. I'll catch up soon."

"I'm not leaving you," I insisted.

"Ave, now is not the time—" I pushed Stella aside just as the girl lunged for me. I fell back hard. "Never turn your back on your enemies," she taunted.

I quickly drew my knees to my chest and kicked out, hitting her in the stomach. She yelped and came for me again. I scrambled to my feet, ready to defend myself. Stella was back up too. "Two against one isn't fair, but lucky for you, I don't mind. Come at me," she growled.

For some reason, I felt emboldened. I could fight her. I sensed Stella's breath quickening as she shifted into her true form. "I'm mad now," she growled back.

"Right back at ya," the girl shot back. Stella charged at her just as she lunged for me, her claws extended. "Got you now—" Before she could finish, she was slammed to the ground.

"I'd advise you to save your smart-mouthed friend and run back to wherever you came from," Kai said coolly.

I looked up to see him perched on top of a car, still in his human form. Archer and Lachlan shifted into their wolf forms and advanced toward the girl. She growled back at Kai.

"Oh, don't get silly now. I'm running out of patience here. What was it you said? Um... Oh yeah. Don't make this hard on yourself."

"We're not done here. You'll pay for this, Alpha Kai. You'd better keep a tight grip on your female," the girl shot back before she took off, abandoning her friend. How cruel.

"Let's get out of here and back to the car," Kai said, jumping down.

We navigated cautiously through the parking lot until Kai opened the trunk and retrieved two black bags. "Shift," he ordered.

Once the others were gone, Kai let out a long sigh. "You okay?" he asked.

I nodded, giving him an assuring smile.

"And you?"

"I was more worried about you, but I'm fine," he replied with a smirk.

"My mom!" I exclaimed, suddenly remembering. She must be worried sick. "I need to find her."

"That's fine. Just take Stella with you," he said.

I frowned.

"Trust me, having Stella with you is better than me. Your mom won't think you ran off to see your boyfriend," he teased.

I poked him in the arm, and he chuckled. "Fine," I conceded.

"We're back! I hope you two didn't suck each other's faces off," Archer joked.

"Hope not!" Stella rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," Kai said. "Stella, you'll hang out with Avery for the day. Enjoy. Guys, let's head back to the territory."

"Fun. So much fun. Now I'm a real babysitter," Stella replied sarcastically.

"Oh, come on. You're my friend. Be a real friend, not just a babysitter," I said, and the boys laughed.