Crossing Boundaries

Chapter 2 - Enemy territory

But it never comes...

Instead of slamming into the ground in a pool of blood and splintered bones, I land on something soft. I can tell enough that it’s fur, but my mind is still too foggy to figure out whose. For a split second, I think Felix has come to save me. Then I blink dazedly upward and see the massive wolf standing before me, looking almost like a frightened pup. I turn my head slowly, and an unfamiliar wolf’s gaze locks onto my pack.

Oh shit...

I slide carefully off the wolf’s back. My lower ribs and stomach throb where I collided with his body. It was a long fall, and the wolf is nearly the size of a mountain lion. I scramble away from him, the back of my head cracking against a tree trunk. In front of me stands a black wolf, his fur so dark it shimmers almost blue. He’s Hellwood pack. He has to be. I push myself shakily to my feet, my limbs trembling. I need to get back to my pack.

But before I can take a single step, the Hellwood wolf snaps his head toward me. He growls, and I tumble back onto the dirt. He glares down, those storm-dark eyes feeling like they’re dragging my soul right out of me. I’m definitely going to die. I’ll be a little snack for him before he hunts down the rest of my pack.

“She’s… she’s… she’s part of our pack,” I hear a shaky voice. The wolf’s head swings toward human-form Felix. He’s only in his shorts; he knows exposing himself would be an even greater insult. The wolf growls again, this one directed at our so-called fearless leader. Then he jogs off into the trees, and I climb back to my feet.

“Lily, come on!” Felix says. The teasing nicknames are gone. I nod and hurry toward him. Right before I reach him, a hand wraps tight around my wrist. Peppermint fills my nose, and a warm body pulls me into a cocoon. A cocoon of fear.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a voice rumbles beside me. It’s sharp, yet it makes my heart skip. I can’t deny this killer has a gorgeous voice.

“To… to my pack,” I whisper, the words barely audible.

“I don’t think so,” he says. “You crossed the territory line.”

“She didn’t mean to,” Felix says, stepping forward to reach for me.

“One more step, boy, and you’ll belong here too.” Felix freezes and pulls back.

“I’m barely inside your territory,” I argue, though I know it’s useless. His grip tightens on my wrist, and I can tell it will bruise.

“Too bad. You’re mine now.”

“Please,” I beg. I still haven’t dared look at my captor’s face.

He chuckles, and then I’m pressed back against a hard, solid body. His warmth seeps into my skin, calming me far more than it should.

“You’re going to have to try a lot harder than that,” he murmurs. One arm curls around my neck, his other hand settling on my hip. I want to shove him away, but I’m terrified he’ll turn violent.

“C’mon, man, she’s not even a wolf,” Felix calls. I glance at him and glare.

Yeah, thanks, i***t. Tell them I’m even more vulnerable.

“She smells like one to me,” the man says. His finger twists a strand of my hair around it, the sensation turning my legs to jelly. Though that might just be fear.

“She’s with our pack. She isn’t a shifter. Please — she just made a mistake,” Felix pleads. For a moment, it actually sounds like he cares about getting me back.

“Tell your pack to watch their own more carefully,” he says, squeezing my hip.

“Please,” I whisper, a tear slipping down my cheek.

“You’ll be a lot more convincing if you look at me, sweetheart.”

I turn slowly. His hand shifts to my other hip, and the arm around my neck falls away. My mouth goes dry when my eyes meet his. Damn. My captor is hot. Black hair, a jawline sharp enough to slice glass — I’m stunned. Those storm-gray eyes stare into mine, a lazy smirk tugging at his perfect lips. His skin is tanned, like he spends all his time outdoors hunting trespassers, and faint stubble lines that razor-sharp jaw.

“Name’s Chase. Don’t step into my territory again.” With that, he shoves me backward.

I land hard on my rear, another spot that’s going to bruise purple. I scramble up and bolt for Felix. For the first time ever, he wraps an arm around my waist to steady me.

“If I catch any of you near this border again — I will end you!” Chase warns. He glances at me for a heartbeat, winks, then vanishes into the trees. Once he’s gone, I bury my face in Felix’s shoulder and let the tears fall.

“It’s okay, Lily. It’s okay,” he says, brushing my hair back with his fingers. He pulls away slowly. “C’mon. We need to catch up with the pack.”

I look away while Felix strips and shifts. The pack moves onward, leaving me to walk home alone. Thanks, Felix. Asshole.

I sigh, bracing myself for a long, miserable hike through the night. I won’t dare climb the trees, still shaking from what just happened.

“You know, it’s pretty stupid of them to leave you behind like this.”

I spin around. Chase stands there, that same smirk on his face. He walks toward me, and I step backward slowly. My head hits a tree again. I swear I’m gonna get a concussion if I keep slamming into these things.

“Guess… I guess so,” I say. My voice comes out too high and shaky.

“I mean, you’re human, but you sort of belong to my pack now. Y’know, since you crossed the line,” he says, still closing in.

“But… if crossing the boundary counts, wouldn’t you belong to ours then?” I ask as he reaches me. His heavy frame presses against mine, and I can feel his heartbeat. Slow, steady. Mine is racing like a bee whose honey got stolen.

“You’re observant. But the rule only counts if you’re caught.”

“But you were caught,” I say, as he twists another strand of my hair.

“Caught by who?” He tucks the hair behind my ear.

“M-me,” I stammer, trying to sound brave. I never sound brave. Not even when I am.

“Still… you’re not going to tell anyone.” He smiles.

“Why… why not?”

“Because you’re mine now.” He says it casually, like it’s nothing. My eyes go wide, and I push against his chest. I should scream. It has to work.

I open my mouth, ready for a scream dramatic enough for a horror movie. Before a sound comes out, his lips crash onto mine.

I try to push him away, but holy hell, this man knows how to kiss. Sparks burst across my lips, and my heart races faster. I slowly close my eyes and kiss him back. It’s amazing; every inch of me tingles. Before I’m ready, he pulls back.

“Sleep tight, human.”

Pressure pricks my neck. Before I can react, everything bleeds into blackness. The last thing I see are those gray eyes, swallowing me whole.