HOLLOW

•TWENTY-FOUR•

•Natalie's POV•
•

Orion was busy running this chaotic event he calls a baby shower. People were everywhere and it was just a mess. It was as if no planning was put into it. Oh and I forgot to mention- he invited the whole pack. So now you have an idea of the size of the crowd we're dealing with. "Why didn't you stop him while you had the chance?" Zephyra asks from beside me. I shrug and ran a hand through my hair.

"I didn't actually think he was going to invite the whole freaking pack!" I said, earning a snicker from Zephyra. Her mate, Astrid sat beside her and it was funny that they were complete opposites. Astrid seemed to be all puppies and rainbows meanwhile Zephyra was like a hardcore rock.

Athanasios sat by my side, quiet like a wise man. "What's on your mind?" I ask him. He turns to me and puts on a smile. "Look at Orion." I turn my head and see that Orion is still trying to get everything under control. His face was flushed and his hair was beginning to fall out of the bun it had once been in. I couldn't help but laugh at the mess he's gotten himself into.

"Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!" Someone came running to our table, waving their hands in the air. Athanasios looked to them in confusion. "We are under attack!" The stranger yelled. Athanasios was quick to stand up. I quickly followed, with a frightened look on my face.

Was it really happening? I didn't know what to do or where to go. I saw Athanasios' face go blank for a few seconds. He was mind-linking the pack. I saw the crowd's faces quickly transform before they scurried away. Many of the women were ushering children towards the castle while men and few women ran further into the woods.

"Natalie! Natalie!" Athanasios was shaking me out of my thoughts. My eyes focused on his, dividing from the crowd. "Go with Ioanna. She'll be waiting by the tree where I first showed you my wolf." I nodded but made no effort to move.

"Go Natalie. You have to protect our pups." He says. I nod and turn around to take off in the direction of the tree.

My heart was pounding as I passed through the woods. Would it be the last time I saw him? Would I have to raise the pups myself? I want him to be okay. I want him to be able to see his children grow.

"I love you." I heard his voice but he wasn't here. It was in my head. Was it mind-link? Probably. I finally saw Ioanna's form resting against the thick tree. "Ioanna!" I say out of breath. She looks to me and hands me a trench coat like the one she wore. "Be quiet and come with me." She whispers. I nod, doing my best to keep my breathing under control.

As much as I wanted to ask questions, I knew it was crucial that I kept quiet. The questions would have to wait. I noticed the snow was starting to get thicker and harder to push through. It reminded me of how I ended up in this life in the first place.

_____

"Get in!" Ioanna says. After trekking through the snow for about twenty minutes, we arrive at a car. It looked old. Like so old it would break down. But I got in of course. Ioanna got into the driver's seat and started the car. Once the loud grumble of the engine started, we were out of there. "Where are we going?" I ask her as she makes her way down a dirt road.

"A boat." She says.

"Where on a boat?" I question. She makes a right turn before picking up speed. "California, then to Alabama, then to Pennsylvania, would you like me to continue?" I shake my head. Why the hell so many states?

"Athanasios wants you to be safe so we are going to have to keep moving places until this whole thing cools off. But, if they find out where we are then we'll move continents." I've always wanted to travel but this is not the reason I was hoping for. And I doubt I'd be allowed to do all the tours and junk when we arrive.