Wolf's Hunger (Mafia Monsters #5) - Atlas Rose Page 0,84
razor wire and spelled by the Dark Fae, it was a concrete fortress. One big enough for the entire pack…even the fringe members.
But that was still weeks away.
Weeks I was prepared to hide and fight and keep her far away from those who hunted us. It didn’t matter, as long as we were together. I made my way back out of the club and locked the door behind me, before I stopped cold.
Someone was here…
The scent of another caught the wind for a heartbeat before it was gone. Rain smacked against my cheek as I froze. Still, a chill crawled along my spine. I scanned the darkness that stretched toward the Fae’s compound with a predatory gaze and stepped out into the opening.
Finis? my beast growled.
Whoever it was was…powerful, and dangerous. The scent so impenetrable. I couldn’t get a handle on it. Male…female, their standing…it was all convoluted. I stepped out into the darkness, scanning for movement.
Black shifted at the edge of the trees across from the Unseelie compound. My pulse sped as I scanned the grounds while water ran in rivulets down my neck and slipped under my collar. Was this the midnight Wolf who hunted Carina? The one who'd attacked and killed the bastard who'd tried to hurt her…the one who'd attacked Wry?
I lunged, driving my boots against the pavement as I crossed the parking lot, then across the street to the barren ground on the other side, and plunged through the brush-like trees beyond.
Head down, my arms thrashed sharp branches aside as I ran. Wet leaves slapped against my face as movement shifted ahead of me. Whoever it was…they were fast, racing through the thick brush like it was nothing. Twigs snapped, making my beast snarl and push forward, desperate to take over the hunt. But I held on, driving myself deeper into the dense thicket, until the scent faded.
Until there was nothing but the heady scent of the rain and sweet earth.
I stopped, drawing in the air, desperate for that scent, and swiveled, scanning the trees all around me, searching for movement…until that clench in my gut told me they were gone.
I retreated, working my way back to the street, watching all around me. No one would attack out in the open like this…not unless they wanted to die. I looked toward the flare of lightning across the sky.
I was sure that was Finis, even if the Breeds assured me the leader of the Wolves was hundreds of miles away. They didn’t know him…not like I did. I worked my way to the street and scanned the cars once more before I headed for the white Ford and dragged the keys from my pocket.
The Vampires were waiting. But I couldn’t shake that feeling that I was being watched…and hunted. I unlocked the door and climbed into the sedan, my clothes soaking the seats, making my shirt mold against my skin as I started the engine. Headlights splashed across the deep puddles, but that unnerving feeling stayed with me even as I shoved the car into gear and pulled out onto the street. I watched the rear-view mirror, tracking every car that passed and every set of headlights behind me as I turned left and headed into Vampire territory.
The road was slick, with puddles growing even larger under the thunderous downpour. I drove until the nondescript lane speared off from the main road. Thick fog seemed to spring up from nowhere, closing in around the sedan and growing heavier the further I drove. I gripped the wheel hard, fighting the need to turn around as the Vampire wards took hold.
The house seemed to rise out of the murky white gloom, a towering mansion. I pulled up alongside the gray Explorer and killed the engine. The house looked quiet. But I knew better than anyone that with Elithien, looks were always deceiving.
We’d grown closer in the last few days. Desperation had a way of revealing your true allies, and I had that with the Fae and the Vampires. I'd fought for Elithien in the warehouse, stood side by side with the Immortal, and he’d done the same for me when I needed it, coming to rescue Carina even if it caused tension with his own mate. Whatever was coming for Ruth after the death of Caedes, we’d face it together as allies.
I climbed out of the car and strode to the front door, lifting my gaze to Rule as he opened it and stepped aside.