Rising Alpha

8

I'll be damned if I let something happen to her. She should be safe and taken care of. I head off, but a hand grabs my shoulder.

"Is something wrong?" John's hand is steady on my shoulder and he's searching my face.

"Nope." He knows there is something wrong, but I can't have him alert Dumbass and Dickhead.

"Just need to take a leak. I'll be right back."

He turns his head and squints at me for a moment, but he straightens as he notices Kevin. "All right. Kevin and Dederick will keep me company."

Thank God he knows me well enough to know I want to sneak away for a reason. I nod and head towards the woods which should also allow me access to the back of the house while remaining undetected.

"Sure, that's perfect." Kevin tears his eyes away from a girl's ass and focuses on John. "I'd like to discuss if there is a potential of me having a bigger role now that I'm mating with a strong female."

That prick has some nerve. His focus should be making sure this ceremony is picture-perfect for her, but he's too busy trying to get a more powerful role.

When I make it to the woods, the spice in her scent grows even stronger. My wolf pushes me to get to her as fast as possible. I take a few steps into the woods and glance back. Thankfully no one is watching me. I force myself to take slow, quiet footsteps until I am hidden by the house.

Taking a deep whiff, I keep moving until I'm at the other side of the house that’s hidden from view.

Her scent is so strong it drives me wild. How can she not be my mate?

Savannah

"What are you saying?" Abigail's tone is low and her body tenses as she stares me down.

She thinks I'm threatening them, but that's the farthest thing from my mind. "I mean we're getting the hell out of here while everyone is focused on prepping for the ceremony.” My wolf whines in excitement.

"How’re we going to do that?" There's hope in Alison's voice, and her breathing accelerates.

"I found a place not too far away from here." I head over to the window and peek through the blinds. Kevin and all of his cronies are out there talking to the guests as they arrive. He's enjoying his time in the spotlight so we can use this to our advantage. "We can hide there overnight while we figure out next moves. We'll have enough room for the four of us."

"Let's go." Alison's already moving toward the door. "The sooner we go, the more time we have to gain distance."

"Are you two in?" I sure hope they are, otherwise Alison and I might not get very far.

"Hell yeah, we're in." Abigail nods and both she and her daughter follow behind Alison.

Okay, it's now or never. I rush into my room and grab a top for Charlotte. She's going to need something to wear over her tattered shirt. My wolf urges me toward the door, and I squeeze to the front. "Now remember, we have to be extra quiet and cautious."

When I open the door, I come face to face with the one person I never expected. The man who caught my eye on the way back to the house is standing right in front of the door. His chocolate brown eyes stare me down.

Dom

As soon as I get to the door, it swings open and there she is.

Her eyes are a beautiful caramel color with flecks of green. She opens them wide and then steps to the side blocking something from my view.

"What's wrong?" My voice comes out gruff, my wolf coming out.

She blinks once then twice and takes a deep breath. "I'm leaving and you can't stop me."

Does she really think I'd stop her? Hell, this is music to my ears. Something moves behind her, and my eyes track it. That's what she's trying to hide. There is an older woman holding her arm; it’s snapped in a very unnatural position. Despite being hurt, she’s hovering over a young woman whose clothes are torn to shreds. Right beside them is a pregnant woman sporting a black eye. This cannot be tolerated. "I'm here to help."

A loud, dark laugh leaves that gorgeous body. "That's what they all say. What's the catch?" Her voice is like rain during a drought. It does things to my body that isn't appropriate given the situation.

What has she been through and who do I have to kill? "Nothing, but if we're leaving, the sooner the better."

She pauses for a moment and stares me down.

"Come on, Savannah." The woman with the broken arm places a hand on her shoulder. "I don't think we have a better option."

"Fine, but the first red flag, we'll ditch your ass." She steps into me and digs her finger into my chest.

Hot damn, she's a firecracker. I'm not sure how it's possible, but she got twice as hot. "Noted.

Now let's go. Do you have a plan?"

"Oh, God." The pregnant lady sniffles. "We aren't going to make it."

"Stop, Alison." Savannah turns and places a hand on her shoulder. "I do have an idea. I've been working on it for a while but lost my nerve to follow through."

We don't have time for this. "Then we'll follow you." I wave my arm indicating she take the lead.

"I'll follow you all and look out for any trouble."

She bites her bottom lip for a second and then nods. "Fine." She steps close to me and stares into my eyes. "Don't make me regret this or there’ll be hell to pay."

Is it bad that I want to be naughty so I can get in trouble? However, I won't risk her safety for my s****l gratification. "Got it."

"Let's move." She heads towards the woods and the three women follow right behind.

The pace we set isn't super-fast, but quick enough. We're going slower because of the pregnant woman. After a mile or so, there’s a trickle of a stream and birds singing overhead.

When we break through some trees, we reach water. The spring is cascading over smooth rocks and there is a wolf sitting right next to it.

Shit, this is going to be a problem.

Almost as if he could read my thoughts, he glances right at us shifting to his human form. Thank God we shift into clothes.

"Savannah, what are you doing here?" He stands and notices the rest of us behind her. "Why aren't you getting ready?" He stumbles back and his eyes begin to glow.

Oh, hell no. He can't alert the others. I rush him and tackle him down to the ground.

He scrambles and tries to get on top, but I punch him in the face. He takes it in stride and growls. Not prepared for a fight, I fall back and he rolls to his knees.