Page 81 of Alpha Queen
The primal commands pulsed through her with each frantic heartbeat, overriding the screaming protest of her muscles and the stabbing pain in her side.
The voices behind her grew more distant, then louder again as the pursuit organized itself. Flashlight beams swept through the trees, occasionally illuminating her path for precious seconds before plunging her back into darkness.
River's breath came in ragged gasps, her lungs burning with each inhale, and her side and shoulder ached from their damage when she'd gotten out the window. She'd been confined too long, her body weakened by poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Her pace slowed, and her movements became less coordinated.
Not yet. She couldn't fail now. Not when freedom was feet away.
A stitch tore through her side, forcing her to clutch at her ribs as she ran. Still, her wolf spurred her onward. The sound of pursuit grew louder; they were gaining on her.
River veered left, hoping to throw off her trackers. The underbrush grew thicker, and the trees more densely packed. She ducked under low-hanging branches, weaved between trunks, and scrambled over fallen logs.
The forest floor sloped downward, and River used the momentum to increase her speed, half-running, half-sliding down the incline. At the bottom, she paused, leaning against a thick tree to catch her breath. Her legs trembled, threatening to give out.
"I heard something! This way!"
The voice was too close. River shoved off the tree, forcing her exhausted body into motion once more. She couldn't stop. Couldn't rest. Not until she was far from Titan's reach.
The forest blurred around her as River's legs grew heavier with each step. Her lungs burned, desperate for oxygen; she couldn't seem to draw fast enough. Sweat plastered her silver hair against her head despite the cool night air.
Her wolf surged with renewed determination even as her human body faltered.
Veering left at a young tree, River stumbled through a dense thicket, branches tearing at her already tattered clothing.
Suddenly, the trees ended. River skidded to a halt, her heart plummeting as moonlight illuminated what stood before her: an enormous concrete wall stretching in both directions. Ten feet tall at least, its top bristling with coils of gleaming razor wire that glinted in the moonlight like silver teeth.
"No," she whispered, her voice breaking. "No, no, no."
River laid her palms against the cold concrete, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. Titan had told her about the wall, but she hadn't thought it would stretch the entire property. She had to be at least half a mile from the main house.
So close. She'd been so close to freedom.
"There they are!"
The shout came from behind her, accompanied by the harsh glare of flashlights. River spun, pressing her back against the wall as three of Titan's men emerged, their weapons trained on her.
"Don't move," the leader commanded, approaching her.
River turned around, and murmurs started between the men.
"Luna?"
"It's the Luna."
River searched desperately for an escape route. Her muscles screamed from exertion. Even if she could outrun them again, where would she go?
"Please," she said. "Let me go."
The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances, but their weapons remained steady. "We can't do that," the leader said, almost apologetically. "Alpha's orders."
As they moved in, terror surged through her. Her wolf rose to the surface with a final burst of protective fury. She wouldn't go back. Couldn't go back. Not to that room, not to Titan's possession.
With a feral growl, River launched herself at the nearest man, catching him off guard. Her nails, human, not claws, raked across his face as they tumbled to the ground. Shouts sounded around her as hands grabbed at her, but she fought with the wild desperation of a cornered animal.
"Sedate her!" One of them yelled.
"Don't injure her!" the leader shouted as River thrashed wildly. "Titan will have our heads!"
River's eyes widened with sudden clarity. Of course, they couldn't harm her. Titan's precious mate, his obsession. Her wolf surged with renewed purpose, and River channeled her strength with calculated precision.
