Page 78 of Those That Don't Exist
“Ok, I’ll be back up in a bit. Unless you want to come down with me?”
“No, go get a coffee and grab a dress for tonight. I’ll stay up here.” I’m giving her some alone time with her best friend, it might be her last opportunity for a while.
As soon as Red is downstairs I grab my wet jeans and dig in the pocket for my phone.
Pulling the device out and sitting back on the bed I’m surprised it’s still working after the swim I took earlier.
I’m also glad it's working because there’s a message from Atlas.
Atlas: What the fuck did you do? Although, it's about damn time! Adicious is sending some of us out in pairs to hunt for you. It's not the whole pack but avoid the docks if you can.
A second message comes through as I’m reading the first.
Atlas: I hope you’ve got to your female already. We’re about to leave. Good luck!
I lock the phone, not risking responding. I don’t want to leave but it’s our best option for now.
This city is my home. I’ve finally found some balance again, being back here has made me feel grounded after so long of spinning out in my grief. But whilst Adicious rules over the pack we have very little choice.
The thought of killing Adicious rumbles across my mind. I’d love nothing more than to take the fucker out, but he won’t give me the chance to get him one on one. I was lucky taking on him and Ronan earlier, if any of the others joined in too I know I would lose.
My parents would hate to think I’m being forced out of our home. But they’d understand if they knew why.Gods I wish they could’ve met her.
They would’ve adored her. My mum believed in things like destiny and soul mates. I’m sure she would’ve pushed me into mating with Red as soon as she saw the ridiculous smile I knew would’ve been on my face when I told them about her. My father was a bit more practical. He would be the one warning me to wait, telling me to consider the pack, the one I would one day lead. However, he’d say it whilst staring adoringly at his mate and I’d know he would be totally supportive if I chose to offer myself to Aurora before any time at all.
I think Red would be good in that position, leading a pack at my side. Even though she hates being the centre of attention, I’ve seen how dedicated she is, how much she cares for those she lets in. She would care for our pack I’m sure.
The phone in my hand cracks with the pressure my grip has on it. I chuck it on the bed beside me as I shake the fantasy away. I need to ditch it anyway so I can be one hundred percent sure I can’t be traced with it.
I can’t offer Red the position she deserves. Hell, even the safety she deserves.
If Atlas can be trusted we can’t head to the docks to get out of the city. We will have to head west, or north, and use one of the smaller ports.
Rubbing my face in my hands I decide I better shower and get dressed for this thing. We need to leave rather quickly and get ourselves somewhere the pack can’t cause a scene.
“I’m not running.My whole life is here.” I wasn’t expecting this when Red came back twenty minutes later. We’ve been going back and forth about what to do the whole time. The clock is ticking, I needed to get us out of the house.
I’d shown her Atlas’s messages. I outlined my plan to her. I don’t know what happened in the time she’d been outside this room but she’d come back adamant we could hide in plain sight.
“Red, you’ve seen how dangerous he can be, how violent he is. He won’t stop with injuries this time.” Frustration is bleeding into my voice now. I fumble over tying the tie around my neck as I pace her small room.
“I’m not running,” she says determinedly. “You can sneak around for a while, you’ve said you’re skilled at hiding. I can pretend I haven’t seen you. We carry on in secret like we have been.”
“Adicious knows about us now. He won’t give you any freedom if there’s any chance I’m still around.”
Our gazes lock in the mirror. She’s sitting at her desk, finishing her makeup. The determination in her eyes makes me waver. She’s confident we can do it her way.
“He doesn’t get a choice. I’m not bonded to him like you were. I don't have to follow his orders,” she argues.
“Please, listen to me when I say you won’t get a choice.” I stride over, dropping to my knees as she spins to face me, opening her legs to bracket my sides. I’m momentarily distracted by the floaty satin skirt of her dress riding up her thighs. I put my hands on her naked flesh.
“Red, if anything happens…” I trail off, pain squeezing my heart at the mere thought. “I don’t trust him within a mile of you. Hell, being on the same island is closer than I want him.”
“I’ll stay in public. I won’t ever be alone. He can’t touch me if I’m always around people. Ty, I graduate in a couple months. We can leave then and figure out where to go. I just… I need to graduate first.”
Against my instincts I feel myself wanting to do this her way, the plea in her voice breaking through my better judgement.
“Your dad?” I ask softly, as she moves to fiddle with the ring at her neck.
