Page 80 of Rejecting his Mate

At least I know my magic is masking my scent. Any wolf would be able to smell me from this distance.

Hardly able to breathe, I pull the door open and climb into the driver’s seat. I don’t feel safe until I’ve shut the door, but even then, I know it is a false sense of security.

A door would not stop animals like the Order from killing me if they spotted me. I wipe my hands on my pants before fumbling to get the key into the ignition. I take a moment to study the dashboard, trying to figure out where everything is.

It looks similar to the car that Kyle showed me how to drive. I turn the engine on, the rumbling of it seeming loud to my ears.

Two of the hunters look up at me. I dip my head instantly, trying to hide my face from them as I reach for the stick.

I need to reverse out of the space, but I’m not sure I can do it.

Focus, Halle.

I take a deep breath and slide it into reverse. Then I slowly press the gas pedal. The car jolts backward, and I wince.

Great job not drawing attention to yourself.

I ease my foot off it this time, making a smoother transition as the truck moves back.As I do, Cade’s voice sounds in my mind.

You’re doing great.Just stay calm.

That easessome of the tension, knowing he’s there with me.

By some minor miracle, I get out of the space, but I’m being watched. I can feel the eyes of the hunters on me, and my skin prickles. I force myself to ignore them, focusing instead on driving.

I push the gearshift into drive, and as I start to move forward, a figure steps in front of the truck. I slam on the brakes, just in time to miss him.

The guy is young, maybe around my age, but his eyes are cold and empty. I grip the steering wheel tight as we both stare at each other through the windshield.

Move.

He doesn’t. He doesn’t take his eyes off me and I feel my heart racing. Am I caught? Does he recognize me as a wolf?

I can’t show fear. He will realize what and who I am. Knowing I need to act, I raise my hand, and gesture in his direction as if to say, 'move out of the fucking way’.

He glares at me from under heavy brows, but then he keeps moving, leaving the road free for me to hit the gas. I drive to the end of the street and take a right, knowing I need to loop back to get the others.

My throat feels tight as I drive. That was a close call, too close. I looked into the eyes of that monster, a wolf who would have no problem killing young or old as long as they did not fit the mold he deemed acceptable.

I turn right again at the next street, coming up behind the restaurant. Every inch of my body is on alert, and my head is racing with worst-case scenarios,but I feel some relief. I’m in the truck, and they didn’t realize what I am.

As I turn the corner, I don’t see the guys waiting. Shit, where the hell are they? I reach out down the pack bond.

Where are you?

A moment later,Cade responds.Coming.

A knockon the window has my eyes flying open and my head instantly turning in that direction. I only relax when I see who it is.

Cade.

The door is opened, and my seat belt is removed. Cade helps me out of the driver’s seat, pulling me against him. I sink into his heat and his warmth, needing his comfort.

“You okay?” I’m not, but I nod anyway. Cade turns to the others. “We need to get the hell out of here.”

Wyatt slips into the driver’s seat and Jackson gets into the passenger seat while Cade and Sawyer help me into the back.

No one speaks as we go in, not until Wyatt has the truck moving.

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