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

Part 31: Nowhere to Run

I'd been on edge all day. Ever since that date with Ben, I felt different. I felt as if I was being watched by someone angry, circling. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Kyros's face remained in the back of my mind more than ever. It made no sense, and I felt like I was going a little crazy.

"Hey, girlie, what's goin' on?" Viola nudged me. "Ben isn't even here today!"

"Huh?"

"It's been three days since you and Ben went out," Viola said. "You guys had a good time. What's the problem?"

I shook my head. "He wants to--I just need space, that's all--"

"Does this have to do with your past, honey--what you won't tell me about?" She caught me by the shoulders. "You're shaking!" She searched my face for answers and gave me a little shake. "What's going on?!"

"Kyros." I couldn't believe I said his name aloud. I hadn't in weeks.

"Kyros?" she repeated. "Who's that? Is that who you're running from?"

"Long story, okay?" I told her. "Let's just close, we will talk tomorrow, I promise."

Just then the door opened.

"We're closed, sorry!"

The man was in a suit and dark coat, but he looked familiar. He looked....I inhaled. I knew that smell...

"Come on, I'll take whatcha got," he said, looking at me.

I poured quickly. "What would you like?"

"Milk...and sugar, please." His voice was deep.

"You don't mind taking this to go, would you?" Viola asked as I handed it to him. I rinsed out the carafe. "Last cup, on the house okay?"

"Thanks."

"Have a good night--"

"Would you have any hot water, though?"

Viola checked. "Just enough for a cup of tea."

"Tea to go...with milk....and honey?" he gave a smile. "For my friend--"

I dropped the carafe I was drying and glass splattered everywhere. I locked eyes with the man. This was one of the men who chased me? No! I cleaned up as fast as I could. I had to go!

"Have a good night!" Viola called as she walked around the counter to escort him to the door.

"Thanks, you too." He said.

Viola locked him out. "Okay, so--"

"Can I take a raincheck on that coffee?" I asked, untying my apron.

"Sure," she was watching me. "Hon, you okay? I mean, you're making me nervous!"

"It's..." I took a deep breath. "Can we just talk later?" I felt tears come to my eyes. I was leaving tonight. I'd probably never see her again, and I was going to miss her.

"Okay, but you got my number, right? Call if you want to talk tonight."

I nodded quickly. "Alright." I walked her to the door to lock her out. "Good night, Viola."

"Alright, g'night." She cast me another worried glance as she stepped away from the door and off into the night.

I watched her till she was out of sight. She looked as if she was safely away.

My turn.

I raced up the back steps and opened the door to my apartment. I pulled my escape pack out of my closet, and strapped on my leg pack. I grabbed my jacket and opened my window--to find two men on the fire escape. They tried to grab me but I pulled away.

I backed toward the door as they crawled in.

"Relax, Leilani," one of them ground out. "Nowhere to go."

I scurried to my door. I was about to open it when I heard heavy footsteps coming up. I stood in my darkened room, surrounded. I got too comfortable, I thought as the steps got louder. It was good while it lasted, but now I may not live to see the next sunrise.

Finally, the front door opened. Two men filed in, and stood on either side of the door. I could feel it, feel him. Kyros was coming. He was dressed in dark clothes like his team.

"Hello, Leilani." Kyros growled, blocking the door as a smile formed on his face when he said my name. "Playtime is over."

"Playtime?"

His jaw clenched, his expression more wolfish as he stepped forward, our bodies inches apart. "Did you really think I'd let you keep running about with that boy?"

I shook my head tearfully. He sounded more like a jealous boyfriend than one sworn to kill me. "Are you jealous? What have I done to you? Why are you hunting me?" A chorus of male laughter that sounded more like barks came from his group.  "I know I've done nothing, I know it!" Tears spilled down my cheeks. He stepped toward me, and I backed one. He grabbed me by the shoulders and I struggled...till he buried his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. I sucked a breath, and a wave of awareness swept through my body making me tremble against him.

"Feel that?" Kyros half growled, half whispered against my neck. "That's what you've been doing to me."

I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let me go. I gasped at his eyes, which were no longer just blue, but tinged with gold. I stared, trying to remember what I'd read in Dad's books. Tinged with gold...arousal. "No!"

Kyros laughed, and then kissed me. It was hard and hot and....branding, in a way. I didn't want to feel what I was feeling right now. My knees buckled and my body arched not to get away but to close any distance. It was too confusing. He brought a new meaning to the term "frenemy."

"OW!" I cried, feeling a needle pierce my shoulder. "What, you're euthanizing me--?"

"No, no, sweetheart," Kyros shook his head. Suddenly, I felt as if the floor had slanted. "Your father's last words. Ever occur to you that he was giving you to me?"

"What-Where are you taking me-?"

He swept me off my feet and into his arms. My world was spinning and I instinctively held onto him, kept my eyes on his as all began to fade to black. "Kincaid Manor...where you belong."