Chapter 4
830 Words
I ran until my lungs burned.
The forest was dark, branches whipping at my face. Behind me, howls split the night—getting closer.
The enforcers were spreading out, hunting in formation.
I ducked behind a tree, pressing my back against rough bark. My chest heaved under the binding. Every breath hurt.
Footsteps crunched in dead leaves.
I froze.
"Liam."
It was Asher's voice, low and dangerous. He moved like a shadow through the trees, searching.
I held my breath. Maybe if I stayed still enough—
"I can hear your heartbeat."
Damn Alpha senses.
He rounded the tree, and I bolted. But he was faster, stronger. His hand caught my arm, spinning me around.
"Stop running," he growled.
I struggled, but his grip was iron. "Let me go!"
"Not until you tell me what's going on." He pulled me closer.
"The enforcers are looking for someone. A runaway omega." His nostrils flared. "And you smell like—"
A howl cut him off. Close. Too close.
Asher's head snapped up. Without warning, he dragged me deeper into the woods.
"What are you—"
"Shut up and follow me."
We crashed through underbrush until we reached a rocky slope. Asher shoved aside some vines, revealing a cave mouth.
"In," he ordered. "Now."
I hesitated. The cave was black as pitch, and narrow. We'd be trapped.
Another howl. Closer.
I dove in.
The cave was barely wide enough for two people. Asher pressed against my back, his breath hot on my neck.
The mate scent was overwhelming in the tight space. It was something wild that made my knees weak.
"They're passing by," he whispered.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. His chest was solid against my spine. Every tiny movement sent sparks through my skin.
Minutes crawled by. The enforcers' howls faded into the distance.
But Asher didn't let go.
"Why did you help me?" I whispered.
He was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn't answer.
"Because you're mine."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
His hand slid to my waist, turning me to face him. In the dark, I could barely see his face, but I felt his eyes on me.
"You know what I mean," he said softly. "I've known since the moment you walked into our room. The scent... the pull..." His fingers traced my jaw. "The mate bond."
I couldn't breathe. "That's impossible."
"Is it?" His thumb brushed my lower lip. "Or is it impossible because you're not who you say you are?"
Before I could answer, he pressed on: "You want to know my secret? I'm supposed to be the next Alpha. Top of the academy, perfect scores, perfect control." His laugh was bitter. "But I can't focus. Can't sleep. Can't think about anything except you and your goddamn scent."
"Asher—"
"They'll take everything from me if I'm distracted. If I have a mate." His voice dropped lower. "But I can't stay away from you. And I need to know why."
My back hit the cave wall. He caged me in with his arms, leaning close.
"Tell me who you are," he breathed. "Please."
The mate bond sang between us, pulling like gravity. It would be so easy to give in. To trust him. To let him help.
But I'd seen what happened to omegas who trusted the wrong person.
"I can't."
He growled in frustration. "You're running from something bad. I get that. But—"
"You don't get anything," I snapped. "You're the golden boy. The perfect Alpha. You have no idea what it's like to be—" I bit off the words.
"To be what?"
I shook my head.
He sighed, resting his forehead against mine. The touch sent electricity down my spine.
"Fine. Keep your secrets." His voice was rough. "But I'm not letting you face those enforcers alone."
We waited until the forest went quiet. When we finally emerged, the moon was high and cold.
Asher walked me back to the dorm in silence. But at our door, he caught my arm one last time.
"Whatever you're running from," he said quietly, "I hope you know you can trust me."
I looked away. "I don't trust anyone."
"You will." He smiled, but his eyes were sad. "Eventually."
Inside, I collapsed on my bed, exhausted. My hands still shook.
He knew. He had to know. The mate bond was too strong to ignore.
But he was letting me keep my secret. For now.
I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. I heard him shifting in his bed, restless.
The mate bond hummed between us like a living thing.
A piece of paper slipped under the door. Without thinking twice, I got up to get it.
My heart stopped as I read the words:
"I know who you are. Meet me at midnight, or I tell everyone."
I looked at Asher, but he was asleep. This wasn't from him.
Someone else knew.
F*CK!
I was doomed!
- Writer
