IN BED WITH HER HOT ALPHA BIKERS

Chapter 5

RAVIENNE

The alarm chased me into the woods—loud, violent, echoing across Crescent Ridge like a punishment determined to drag me back.

Rain poured heavily from the sky, drenching my clothes and soaking straight through to my skin as I forced myself deeper between the trees, Ashlyn held tightly against my chest. Branches tore at my arms while mud slipped beneath my bare feet, but I didn’t dare slow down.

“Keep going,” I whispered shakily, my breathing ragged. “Please… just keep going.”

Behind me, wolves howled through the darkness.

The sound nearly shattered what little strength I had left.

They were close. Too close.

Terror clawed through my chest as another howl ripped through the night, even nearer this time. They were no longer searching. They were hunting us like animals.

I tightened my hold around Ashlyn and pushed harder despite the agony tearing through my body. My feet bled from running barefoot for so long, and my legs trembled violently beneath me. Every step sent sharp pain shooting through my ankle, but I refused to stop.

I could not stop.

Not when they would kill us the moment they caught us.

Rainwater streamed into my eyes, blurring my vision, while cold wind cut through my soaked clothes. My hair clung heavily to my face and neck, but none of it mattered next to the fear that choked me every time I glanced down at Ashlyn.

My baby was too quiet. Too still.

Fear punched through me.

“Ash,” I panted, adjusting her weak body against me. “Sweetheart, look at Mama.”

Her head rested limply against my shoulder. When she barely reacted, panic seized my throat.

“Ashlyn?”

A faint sound finally escaped her lips—so weak I almost missed it—but the relief that hit me was strong enough to make my knees wobble.

“That’s it,” I whispered quickly, tears stinging my eyes. “Stay awake for Mama, okay? Just a little longer.”

Her skin felt freezing despite the fever raging through her tiny body. Every time I touched her forehead, I felt myself slipping closer to the edge of madness.

I no longer knew what terrified me more: the fever, or how dangerously weak she had become.

Another howl echoed behind us, louder.

Panic surged. I forced myself to run faster. Branches whipped across my face and sharp rocks sliced into my feet, but adrenaline kept me moving. My lungs burned as though knives were cutting through my chest with every breath, yet I kept going.

Because if they caught us, Ashlyn would die too.

And I could not survive losing another child.

The thought of Kiran struck without warning, stealing my breath.

Kiran laughing as he ran through the palace gardens.

Kiran climbing into my lap after training, proudly showing off his bruises like trophies.

Kiran crying in my arms while blood stained his lips.

A broken sound tore from my throat.

“No,” I whispered shakily as tears mixed with the rain on my face. “Don’t think about it…”

But it was too late. The memories crashed over me.

Kiran lying weakly in bed while healers surrounded him.

The metallic smell of blood filling the room.

My own screams.

The terrifying silence that followed.

I nearly stumbled.

God. I could still feel how cold his little hands had been in mine.

My chest tightened so painfully I thought I might collapse in the mud.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered brokenly, unsure whether I was apologizing to Kiran or Ashlyn. “I’m so sorry…”

Another howl ripped through the woods, snapping me back.

They were getting closer.

I looked over my shoulder wildly, seeing nothing but darkness and rain. Every shadow felt like death closing in. I tightened my grip on Ashlyn and forced myself forward. One painful step. Then another.

Suddenly, my foot slipped in the mud.

I gasped as the ground vanished beneath me. A scream tore from my throat as we tumbled down a steep rocky slope. Sharp stones tore into my skin while branches scraped across my back and legs. I twisted desperately mid-fall, shielding Ashlyn with my body.

We slammed into the ground.

Pain exploded through me, so intense I couldn’t breathe. Rain hammered down mercilessly as dizziness swallowed my vision and nausea rose in my throat.

Then Ashlyn whimpered against my chest.

Panic snapped me back.

“Ash!” I gasped, forcing myself upright despite the agony. “Ashlyn!”

My shaking hands searched frantically over her tiny body, checking for blood or injuries.

Nothing.

No wounds.

A sob of relief escaped me as I pulled her closer and pressed trembling kisses to her forehead. “I’m sorry, baby. Mama’s sorry.”

When I tried to stand, unbearable pain shot through my ankle. Something cracked loudly.

My breath hitched.

It was broken.

For a second, pure hopelessness swallowed me.

“No,” I whispered desperately, tears flooding my eyes. “Please… not now…”

Another howl echoed through the forest.

I looked around. The fall had taken us deeper into thicker woods where the trees grew closer together. The rain was masking our scent for now, but it wouldn’t last.

I had to move. Even with a broken ankle. Even if it killed me.

Using a nearby tree for support, I forced myself upright with a sharp cry. My leg nearly gave out, but I adjusted Ashlyn carefully against my chest and began limping forward.

One agonizing step after another.

Mud coated my legs. My soaked dress clung heavily to my skin. Every movement sent fresh waves of agony through my ankle, but fear proved stronger than pain.

“Ashlyn,” I whispered after several minutes, desperate to hear her voice. “Talk to Mama.”

No response.

Terror struck me. “Ash?”

I gently shook her. When she barely moved, panic rose violently.

Then her eyes fluttered open weakly.

“Mama…”

Relief nearly buckled my knees. “Yes,” I breathed. “Mama’s here, sweetheart.”

“Tired…”

Her tiny voice was so faint it brought fresh tears to my eyes.

“I know, baby. I know you’re tired, but you can’t sleep yet, okay? Please stay awake for me.”

Her eyes drifted shut again almost immediately.

“No,” I cried softly. “Please don’t sleep yet…”

So I kept talking to her. Constantly. Desperately.

I told her stories about Kiran, terrified she might forget her brother. I spoke of the moon festival she loved, the flower crowns Kiran used to make for her, and how we were going to leave Crescent Ridge forever to find somewhere peaceful where no one could ever hurt us again.

I lied through every word.

But I needed her to stay alive.

Time lost all meaning after that. Minutes and hours blurred together as I limped through the relentless rain with Ashlyn growing weaker in my arms. My body felt like it was breaking apart piece by piece.

Then, through the trees ahead, I saw lights.

I froze.

A road.

My knees nearly gave out from relief. An actual road.

Voices echoed faintly nearby. Through the darkness, I spotted a large cargo truck parked near the roadside while several men loaded wooden crates into the back.

Hope surged through me—quickly followed by fear.

I ducked behind thick bushes, clutching Ashlyn tightly as my heart pounded. I couldn’t approach them directly. If anyone recognized me, it would all be over.

But we wouldn’t survive another night in these woods.

My eyes lifted to the open back of the truck. The workers were distracted at the front, focused on their tasks while the rain continued pouring.

It was dangerous. Reckless. Desperate.

But desperation was all I had left.

Before fear could stop me, I moved. Pain exploded through my broken ankle with every step, but adrenaline carried me forward. I bit down hard on my lip to stay silent as I reached the truck and carefully climbed inside.

Ashlyn barely reacted anymore.

That terrified me more than anything.

I crawled between the large wooden crates until darkness swallowed us. Hidden. Safe—for now.

The moment I stopped moving, my body gave out completely. I collapsed against the cold metal floor, cradling Ashlyn tightly against my chest as exhaustion dragged me under.

Everything hurt. My body. My heart. My soul.

With trembling fingers, I brushed damp curls away from Ashlyn’s pale face and pressed my lips softly to her forehead.

“Please stay strong for me,” I whispered weakly. “Please, baby…”

Her breathing remained frighteningly shallow against my chest.

I tried to stay awake. Tried to keep watching her.

But my body had nothing left.

The last thing I remembered before darkness claimed me was pressing another trembling kiss to Ashlyn’s forehead and whispering one final, desperate prayer into the shadows.

“Please don’t leave me too.”