New Age Werewolf Series Book 2: Hunter's Daughter, Alpha's Mate

Part 15: Gone

We both rushed to the rail to see our fathers' bodies fall 30 stories into the river. We stood there, waiting for signs of life. There were none.

Suddenly, l was grabbed and lifted. Kyros's hands felt like vice grips on my arms. I swung my feet wildly, hoping to get him off balance so I could roll away, but he was standing with his feet spread apart, ready for that.

"I should throw you over!" He said angrily. He began to move me over the rail.

"Hatred killed them!" I screamed at him, my tears falling on his face. "If you weren't such beasts they'd be alive now!" 

We looked at each other for a few seconds, his hold on me tightening as he slid my body down his, standing between my legs as I sat on the rail. He put his forehead against my chest, shaking his head, and it took everything for me not to hold him. For a few seconds, everything went still, nothing mattered. This was madness.

"Alpha?"

The voice brought him back to reality. His eyes filled with tears and then averted from my gaze, and I panicked, unsure of what he would do next. I grabbed his face with my hands. "Let....me....down!"

He took a deep breath. "Get away from me!" He threw me onto the couch back inside the apartment. I rolled over, face to face with the one who called him. He was older, but averted his eyes when I tried to look in his. I made my way to the door, and backed out. 

I arrived at the bank of elevators and hit the buttons, half going up and half going down. The up one came first! Damn! I jumped on and hit the observatory level on the sixty-first floor, then went to the stairs. I started down and came out at the twentieth floor, where the health club was. I jogged through, and found the service elevator where towels and laundry were taken. 

I was on the street in minutes. I came out and braced against the wall, sinking to the ground. I called Didi.

"It's quiet out there, what's--"

"Coast is clear."

"Why are you out of breath--"

"He's gone, Didi!" I finally allowed myself to cry a little.

"What?" She sounded as if she knew but didn't. "Who-what?"

"Daddy's in the river, Didi!" I sobbed. "He took Kyro's dad with him so he wouldn't hurt me anymore!"

"Where are you, Lani?" Karen asked just as I heard the phone go to speaker mode. "We'll come for you, we can meet!"

"Take care of Phillip," I sniffed. "I've gotta run. Gotta do it alone. I love you!"

"Lani, how--"

I clicked off, and looked around. Nobody in sight.

I suddenly forgot my own exit strategy. 

I had to get to the train to get to another train! I felt so tired there was no way I could do this. I went into a fast food restaurant and after ordering a burger, went to the bathroom. I took a drawstring backpack out of leg pack and put the leg pack in it. I took off my jacket and put it in there too. I put my hair up in a ponytail, watching my eyes puff up from crying so hard so fast. I took a deep breath and went out, grabbing my order and sitting to eat. 

I didn't know if I should. What if what Karen said was true, and Kyros could track me? I had to get to the books Dad gave me; I needed to read. I wasn't going to sleep tonight anyway, and if I did it would be from being exhausted from crying. I was barely holding it together as it was.

I felt like he was nearby. I guess I needed to make some distance. I finished my burger, and got a soft drink. I walked casually to the elevated train and then got off to catch the commuter train through the city. I got off and walked a few blocks to my camper. I rented a room in a questionable hotel, took a shower, and returned to my camper in the parking lot near the back entrance.

I laid in bed, eyes focused on the ceiling and unaware of time when I got a text.

Didi: They found him. I'm so sorry, Lani.

My view of the screen blurred. I drew a shaky breath. I didn't realize it till this moment, but I was hoping against hope that he would be found severely injured but alive. 

Me: Arrangements?

Didi: We will keep you posted.

Me: How is your father?

Didi: He'll make it...thanks to you.

Me: I'm glad he's okay....we will talk tomorrow.

Didi: There' s a safe house you can stay in. Not far. Please come. 

Me: Safe for me?

Didi: Your kind is there.

My kind?