would it be? Don't answer. Stupid question. It's totally me."
As I continued running uphill, Alex started out from the trees and met me, his larger wolf easily matching my pace. I didn't allow myself to look back, but this was already off plan, making me nervous.
Trying not to sound too bossy, I couldn't help but chide him. "What are you doing, Alex? Are you crazy? The two of us will be more easily spotted. You were supposed to wait at the top of the hill. A plan can't work if we don't follow it to the letter."
Alex chuffed, bumping into my side long enough to swat me with his tail. "Only if you're a linear thinker, Thirteen. You'll see. Life happens fast, and sometimes you have to roll with changes as they come. Besides, I got sick of waiting up there. I figured it would be more fun to join you."
I started to respond with a tail slap of my own, but nearly stumbled. Jones, the guard, was a few feet to the left, peeing on a tree and staring the other way. I knew it was him because his camouflage shorts displayed the metallic, artificial limb replacing his right leg. I held my breath, praying to anyone listening he wouldn't look over his shoulder.
Except he did—because then came the sound of barking dogs, courtesy of Four’s powers of illusion. It all happened in slow motion, or so it seemed. His penis came into view, spraying a stream of urine as his hips swung around. He didn't hesitate before lifting a gun and firing. The shot went wide, missing both of us as Alex and I put on a burst of speed.
"Thirteen, no matter what happens, keep running. Go as fast as you can. Promise you won't stop if I get hit. If you get hit, I will drag your ass over that hill if I have to. No matter what, you're not going back. I promised to help you escape, and dammit, I'm doing it."
Jones was still firing at us, the impacts getting closer even though we zigzagged.
A bullet hit the ground in front of me, spraying dirt in my face. Like Alex had reminded me, I just kept running. "You okay, Alex?"
"So far, so good. Listen, in case we get separated, I need you to know this. On the other side of this hill, we are going to end up at Highway 58. It's called a freeway. Basically, it's a main road, and the cars will be flying by really fast. When you get there, stick to the bushes where you can and to the ditch running alongside. At first, you can go in the same direction of the cars, but cross as soon as there's a gap."
"Why? If town is in the other direction, shouldn't I go there from the start?" I didn’t know why I was asking questions—nerves, maybe? But it distracted me from the gunfire. There was a brief lull as he reloaded before the shots began again.
"There are towns in both directions, but leaving a false trail is great misdirection. They won't be able to track your scent across the highway, so stay on the asphalt as long as you can before you get back in the ditch on the other side. The town you'll come across in the mountains is home to a pack. My friend Ford Silvers lives there. If you make it without me, look him up. Ford's Alpha can help you get the rest of your brothers out—he'll know who to call."
I wanted to ask if I could trust them, since apparently being an omega wasn't safe, but a barely stifled whimper and the coppery scent of blood told me Alex had been hit. His running slowed, but not by much. When I started to falter, prepared to turn back, Alex growled while yelling in my head. "Are you crazy? I told you to run faster, no matter what. Keep going. I'll be right behind you."
Another shot blasted, and I heard a dull thud and claws scrambling for purchase in the steep hillside. I couldn't help but slow down long enough to peek back, my heart catching. Alex was crawling through the grass. "Look away, Thirteen. Keep moving, or we did this for nothing. Go now. I promise I'll be safe as soon as I shift. Jones won't dare leave me long enough to chase after you either—he'll be too afraid I died by his bullet. My father would kill