Unknown Wolf

On the Run

I didn't know where we were when I looked up finally from Rowen's fur. He had stopped running momentarily after going nonstop for hours on end. We were at the edge of a treeline with a deserted parking lot in view close by. A few cars scattered throughout it. I slowly slipped off his back, but my legs felt like jelly beneath me. I reached out and used him to hold myself up. He turned his head and watched me concerned. Shifting back into his human form and grabbing me up before my legs could give way.

I was physically and mentally exhausted. I had silently cried for so long I had no more tears to give, and my eyes hurt. I knew they must be bloodshot and puffy as well. I looked down at my dress, which was ruined. Mud had at some point splashed us, and limbs of passing trees had torn at the fabric. I could only imagine how horrific I must have looked, but Rowen just looked down at me with a softness to his eyes. He gently sat me on the ground next to him as he reached back into his enchanted bag, pulling out two sets of clothes. I turned away from him, allowing him to quickly throw on the grey sweats and black tank he had removed for himself.

"These might be a bit big on you, but they will have to do until I can get you some clothes." He handed me a black pair of sweats and a light grey shirt.

Numb to everything in that moment, I watched as he turned away from me to give me the privacy to change. I tore off what was left of my once beautiful dress and pulled the clothes on. They were pretty baggy, but there was currently no other option. I also felt quite self-conscious without a bra but proceeded to just keep my arms crossed over my chest.

I cleared my throat, and he turned back towards me. He reached for me, and I instinctively flinched. His eyes seemed hurt by my involuntary movement, but he slowly tried again. He took the small tiara, which by some miracle was still on my head and handed it to me. It broke my heart all over again to look at it as it was a stark reminder of what tonight was supposed to have been and what it turned into. He gently brushed my hair out of my face and tilted my chin to look up at him. I felt unexplainable flutters as I looked into his blue eyes.

"Come on. We can't stay here." He reminded me after a moment breaking the silence. I sighed and followed him out into the parking lot.

It seemed to be for an old apartment complex, and he went straight to one car in particular, a black older model volvo. It would practically go unnoticed and blend in anywhere. He reached underneath it, where he hid the keys in a magnet, and proceeded to unlock it, opening my door for me. I slid inside, and he went around to get in the drivers seat. He reached under the seat for a pair of men's sandals and slipped them on before putting the key into the ignition. It started right up, and we drove off into the sunrise.

I had no idea where we were or where we were headed, and I really didn't care. Absent mindedly, I felt the pearl and diamond earrings I had still in my ears from the ball. I removed them both gently and placed them in the cup holder. Putting the tiara safely under my seat as his glove compartment was full of papers and a large envelope that looked to be full of cash. He ignored my movements as he concentrated on driving. After stowing away the tiara, I was so tired I just curled up into a ball and fell fast asleep.

*************Rowen's POV

All I could feel was anguish and guilt for pulling her into this mess and stealing her away, but what other choice did I have if I wanted to keep her safe. I doubt at this point she even knows we crossed a portal into the human realm. I was told she was pretty sheltered. She may have no clue about the separation between these realms. Her father kept her a secret for all these years for exactly this reason. Now, even though she is safe, I have stolen her from him. I doubt I will find him very understanding about that. This is a complete mess. I shook my head to physically try to rid my mind of all these thoughts.

I looked down as I felt her move in her sleep. Even after crying for so long and being dragged through the woods, she still looks beautiful. Her hair wind blown and knotted was tucked behind her ear, falling over her shoulder golden like the sun. Deep in her slumber, she snuggled closer to me and hugged my arm, resting her head softly in the crook of my elbow. Sparks from her touch ignited my skin. I couldn't help but smile down at her as a warmth and satisfaction filled me. Thank you, Goddess, for gifting her to me. I couldn't imagine losing her, and the patience I'm going to have to endure waiting to gain her trust and affection. I sighed.

I stopped at a small gas station to fill up after driving for a few hours. I went inside and grabbed us a couple of drinks, sunglasses, a hair brush, hair ties, and a pair of sandals for her. She woke up to use the bathroom, and I handed her the sandals, giving the clerk the tag to ring up. I didn't like how he eyed her over clearly checking her out. Damn, why did she have to be so beautiful. Even in baggy clothes with her hair wild and wind blown, she was gorgeous. She could be wearing a burlap sack, and men would still look at her with lust in their eyes. I tried to contain my wolf and pay. I grabbed a burner phone as well. I'm happy to get her back in the vehicle and drive off.

She was pleased by the simple act of a hair brush and ties beaming happily at my thoughtfulness. She quickly worked on the tangles while I dialed a number. I was thankful he answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I'm going to need a new ID made for a friend, the whole package. I'll need a driver's license, social security card, birth certificate, and passport, all drawn up asap."

"It's gonna cost you, and I'll need you here at two for a headshot. What name do you want on this?" His voice came through the phone. He knew exactly who was calling him.

"Put it under Lindsey Benson, maiden name Gentry. Blonde hair, green eyes, 5'6", 18 years old. Birthday, December 18th."

"Got it, boss."

I hung up and turned to see her staring at me in confusion.

"Lucy, we are going to be in hiding for a while. You're going to need some kind of identification for us to blend in. I figure we have about 48 hours we can stay in this location before it's compromised. He'll get it all done in time. Lindsey, okay for your new name?"

"I guess." She softly answered.

"You need to call me Ryan, Ryan Benson is my alias here. He will make sure we aren't outed. You are my young wife that I will be bringing home after returning from the military. That's our story, so keep it simple. Don't give out many details to anyone as it can get confusing, and we'll try to stay to ourselves, okay? If you get confused about how to answer any questions, just let me answer them for you."

She stared at me for a minute, processing it all, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

"Your wife?"

I rolled my eyes at her question, "I tell you all that, and that's the part that sticks out the most to you?" I chuckle, "Yes, my wife. We don't need to do anything inappropriate unless you want more from me. I would never force myself on you or hurt you. For now, it's a cover."

"Okay," she hesitated, "I sleep alone, correct?"

I took a deep breath. "If that's what you wish, but I wouldn't have done anything inappropriate with you even if we shared a bed. I'm not a monster, and I am willing to wait however long it takes."

"What if I never want to mate with you?" She snapped.

I felt my hands tighten on the steering wheel and my jaw clench at the thought, but my voice remained calm and in control. "Then I have to respect your wishes, but you do realize after you turn 18 and have met your mate, it's only a matter of time before you will go into heat."

"Heat?" She questioned.

Dear Lord, she doesn't even know. Have they taught her nothing. "Yes, it's natures way of speeding up the mating process. The only way to end it is to mark and mate. Your skin will feel on fire, you will have s****l urges beyond your control, and you will smell extremely good to any unmated male werewolves in the area."

"So after I'm of age, and if we don't reject each other, we have to mark each other and mate, or I'll go into heat?"

I left out the rejection option on purpose, but she was quick enough to connect the dots. "Yes, and I hear it is quite painful and unbearable. I do not intend to reject you at any point."

"So you say for now," she mumbled off as she turned away to look out the window. I jerked the car over and stomped on the break, causing the car behind me to honk as he drove around. I didn't care. I got close to her, looking her dead in the eyes. Our faces were so close I got distracted for a second at the thought of kissing her, but I stayed on track.

"I will not ever reject you." Her big green eyes stared back into mine, and she made a small gasp. I know in that moment she felt something for me. I could see it plain as day in those emerald pools of hers. She could deny it all she wants right now, but rejection is the last thing on her mind at this moment.

************ Lucy's POV

He was so close I felt my lips beg to be kissed and fluttering inside my chest. I was frozen there staring into his deep blue eyes with an unknown feeling taking over my body. Finally, all I could do to regain control was close my eyes as he slowly pulled away. I felt my wolf whine within me.

This man basically just kidnapped me. Alright, maybe that is a bit dramatic. I left with him by choice, but I didn't see many options in the moment. I was also not thinking with a clear mind with everything that was going on. Now I'm just supposed to blindly trust him. What if it's all a lie? He did save me and attack his own brother? Maybe it was just to fool me and steal me from his brother as he had the same plan to make me his own. Maybe Rowen was just a good actor, and this all was a trick to gain power. Once marked, that's it. There's no going back or separating us until one of us dies.

I sat staring out the window, mulling all this over, and trying to make sense of everything. Rowen had begun driving again, and he broke the silence by clearing his throat, pulling me away from my thoughts. I turned towards him, and he continued to keep his eyes ahead on the road before us.

"How about we start off by getting something to eat and then getting you some clothes before our appointment?"

I didn't want to be so agreeing with my new captor, but my stomach didn't give me much choice as it growled loudly at the idea of food making him chuckle.

"Food might be a good start," was all I could say. He pulled into a small diner not too far ahead. Seems its signature color was yellow. Even the poor waitress was clad in a yellow dress with a white apron. She was middle-aged but still very beautiful. Her smile was genuine as she took our order.

"Where are we going? Why can't I just go home? I'm sure things have had time enough to settle down." I decided to be direct with him after she walked away. He set down the newspaper he was skimming over staring at me and c*****g his eyebrow.

"You really think things have settled down by now? That my father and brother have given up on you?" He continued as if it should be obvious to me, "They are relentless. They will never stop until they have you or have proof of your death, and now I am also on their list. Your father may not like this decision and it seems you are not thrilled yourself, but I'm trying to keep you safe the best way I know how. I know the two of them better than anyone, and they are not a threat to take lightly."

He had a point on his brother and father not giving up. They would hunt me to the ends of the earth until they get what they want from me, and kill anyone who gets in their way.

"So what is your plan then?"

"Stay out of reach and lay low. We aren't able to defeat them right now." He took a sip of his coffee and went right back to the paper as if that was the most obvious answer.

"What about my father and our kingdom? They are surely now put right back into the middle of a war with your family? I don't want to be responsible for all that death while we sit here and pretend that everything is fine."

"You don't have a choice. What could you do that would be beneficial to stop it? You just turned 18, and have only shifted once. You are no match for them at this point. Whether you like it or not the best thing you can do for them all now is to stay alive and not be captured. Your father will handle his kingdom while I keep you safe. Now here comes our food. Eat and leave this talk alone."

The waitress came back happily setting a full plate of eggs, pancakes, and sausage down in front of me. Ham, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns for him. He set down his paper and began to eat looking at me expectantly. I was angry and frustrated, but starving and what he said had made sense. I rolled my eyes at him, and began cutting my pancakes eating my worries away for now. He ignored my disdain at his plan continuing to eat his food. Seemed he was used to people not liking what he had to say, but eventually knowing he was right.