Page 27 of Pack Owned
“Since it’s Kayla’s ass on the line. And I’m pretty sure the Nexus guard who chased Kayla into the woods wasn’t looking out for her best interest. Fucker gave off major asshole vibes.”
His muscles coil, the Alpha in him always on edge, always ready to defend.
A low growl builds in my throat as the primal urge to protect spikes again, my hands balling into fists.
“We need to move, get her to safety before those pricks Nexus, or whoever was in the black truck, catch her scent.”
I’ve heard the whispers about Nexus guards playing dirty—crossing lines that shouldn’t even be blurred—but fuck, believing in shadows ain’t the same as staring down the beast.
I glance toward the cabin, feeling the pull, the need to shield her from the world’s shitstorm.
“Nexus isn’t gonna sit on their hands. They’ll know she’s gone, and they’ll come hunting.”
A muscle jumps in Ryker’s jaw. “We’re only an hour from the crash site. Nexus will start sweeping this area before long. Fuck.” He runs a hand through his dark hair. “Alright, let’s gear up. We’ll take the Jeep into the city and blend into the chaos. You pack our shit. I’ll prep the vehicle. No traces.”
“Glad we’re not going sit here with our thumbs up our asses waiting for them to come.” I head inside, movements precise, no time for second-guessing. Kayla needs me focused, not lost in the past.
“Get ready,” I bark out as I start throwing supplies into a duffel. “We’re leaving. Now.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Dane says, wiping his hands at the kitchen sink.
“Leaving?” Kayla sets the glass down with a clatter, her voice trembling slightly. Her gaze darts between me and Dane, fear etching lines into her young face. “Why… what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain on the way to the city.” I open the fridge and shove bottled waters into the bag. “And set off the pest foggers. We’ve gotta get her scent out of here.”
A distant shout shatters my progress. My head snaps up, every muscle coiled tight. Dane’s posture stiffens beside me.
“Fuck,” I hiss, scanning the treeline through the kitchen window. The shouts grow clearer, jagged pieces of sound cutting through the quiet forest. It’s a hunt; Nexus guards are sweeping the woods, closing in.
“Those bastards are close.” Dane frowns.
“Too damn close,” I grind the words out between clenched teeth. The thought of anyone touching Kayla, claiming her… my fists clench reflexively. Not on my watch.
“Let’s move,” I say, already picturing the route to the camo Jeep, to the city, where we can disappear.
“Where are we going?” Kayla stands.
“Doesn’t fucking matter.” I grab her arm, half-dragging her out of the cabin. “You wanna play Russian roulette with corrupt Nexus guards like the one who chased you to that shed?”
She lifts her chin, her eyes wide with fear, but she keeps pace with me.
I barrel toward the Jeep, pulling Kayla along, Dane on our heels.
“We gotta fucking go, now!” The words rip from my throat as we burst through the woods. The shit’s about to hit the fan. My hands shake with the rush of adrenaline, every sense honed to the danger encroaching on us.
“Jeep. Then city,” I reply, the plan forming quickly and dirty in my mind. Urban camouflage. Disappear in plain sight.
“Got it.” Dane nods, grabbing his guns. He’s a fortress, unshakable, and right now, we need his goddamn stability.
I glance at Kayla. Her lips are pressed into a thin line and her face is pale.
“Kayla, stay close,” I tell her, harsher than I intended, but there’s no time to correct it. To hide the protective surge that threatens to overwhelm me. Fuck vulnerability. Now’s not the time.
We spill out of the cabin as the shouts grow louder. Dane charges ahead of us, protecting our front as his head moves from side to side, scoping for danger.
“Move,” I snarl, pushing Kayla ahead of me, covering her back with my body but also keeping her within my line of sight. If Nexus guards have come, they’ll have to go through me first. And that’s a promise soaked in blood, one I’m more than willing to keep.
We’re a unit, a makeshift pack bound by necessity and something deeper, something feral. Ryker’s at my side, eyes scanning the treeline, ready to unleash hell. Dane’s steps are measured, calculated, guarding our rear.
