Page 17 of Forced Alpha Bride
Only Krista’s close family members know about the cabin, and it is almost impossible to find without a map. I need to find a creek to cross to hide my scent, but other than that, there should be no other way for Damon to track me.
I haven’t made it very far before I have to stop. Even as my wolf, I’m not used to this kind of exercise, and my muscles have knotted up. Pain streaks through my limbs, and I gasp for air as I try to keep moving.
At least I know one thing. This can’t possibly get any worse.
Then, below me, I hear howls. It’s definitely wolves searching for me, but it’s not Galen or Krista. There is a distinctnote of threat in the wails below, and one wolf in particular is extremely pissed off.
Damon.
I hurl myself forward, floundering through the snow until I find the track. It’s nothing more than a tiny trail, almost fully covered by snow. As I trot along it, the path gets narrower and harder to see.
A horrible wail erupts around the peak, making me jump. The huge gust of wind screams through the rocks like a thousand tortured souls. With it comes a massive, thick cloud of snow and ice that slams into me and knocks me right off the path.
I slip and roll through my own private avalanche, getting slammed by rocks and almost buried in snow. When I finally come to a stop, I realize I’ve lost my pack, my map, and I have no idea where I am.
The wind wails again, and behind its mournful voice, I can still hear the wolves howling as they search for me. Looking around, I can’t see anything except shifting white curtains of snow and the dark smudges of trees marking the edge of the forest.
I’m lost!
Struggling to get up and run into the forest again, I remind myself that no matter how bad a situation is, it can always get worse.
Chapter 6 - Damon
Even running as fast as I can in my wolf shape, I can’t keep up with Winnie. I was counting on catching her before she could get to the road and speed up, but I completely underestimated how badly she wants to get away from me.
I was also considering jumping in front of the car… but now I’m not so sure she’d stop.
I consider going back to my car, but I can still catch a faint hint of her scent on the wind, so I follow it. My mind is so jumbled up, I can barely think, and I’ve wandered far into the side streets before I even realize I’ve lost her scent.
Fuck! Where is she? I have to get her back—now!
The terror of losing her races through my blood, energizing me with crackling anxiety. I don’t know if it’s because I need her to keep the alpha position, or if I’m scared I’ll never see her again.
I do one last trot around to make sure I’ve really lost her scent trail, then I throw my head back and howl. It doesn’t take long before two of my boys appear, racing down the street towards me.
My bunch of misfits—Flint, Austin, Dylan, Giles, and Logan. We’ve been together so long and have been through so much, we’re brothers for life.
“What’s the deal, boss?” Dylan asks as he stops in front of me. “I left Flint in charge at the manor. Logan’s there as well, and our other boys are around town. We came as soon as we could.”
“Yeah, boss,” Austin says. “That was one hell of a howl. I expected to see you being thrashed by a mob of thugs sent by the elders.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” I growl, my voice resonating with the voice of my wolf as I shift to human. “And I told you not to call me boss.”
Dylan shrugs, laughing. “Since it’s all we talked about when we were growing up, and now you’ve finally done it, I think we should use the word as much as possible.”
“In front of the others, maybe,” I answer. “But not between us. I’d never put myself above you.”
“I know,” Dylan says, reaching out to grip my shoulder. “You’re going to change things for everyone. I really believe that. But what got you so riled up you had to call us all the way out here?”
“My mate,” I reply, trying not to scream in frustration. “She got away.”
Dylan’s eyes widen. “You did the thing? The bride-for-hire thing?”
“Yeah. I met her at the lake. It’s… It’s Winnie Ramses.”
Austin lets out a low whistle. “Lucky man. I saw her once, with Krista, at a school dance. She’s a super cutie.”
“And well-connected,” Dylan adds. “Galen’s pack is strong and well-respected across the Range. With her support, you could get all the other packs behind you and turn this pack to your favor.”
