The Woodland Packs

Because there was no way they were getting my mate.

Chapter 9.

Celeste.

Bile rise in my throat and I choked on it.

But I couldn’t let them hear me, I couldn’t.

So, I swallowed the acid, and the tears.

I had to get out of here.

I crept away and began to run, stumbling over tree roots, long grass and thick shrubs. My belly was so cumbersome, but I carried it the best I could as I cut across the forest. Away from the bears, and more importantly, away from the pack.

They were going to kill me!

The bears for honour, and the pack to save their own hides.

What had I done to deserve all this?

Be born human.

The tears ran down my face as my baby rolled and kicked within my womb.

I had to get away from here.

Those wolves were not going to take my baby from me.

And they were certainly not going to send me back to the den for my punishment.

Anger pushed me harder. I ran, tripping and stumbling through the forest.

But I didn’t stop, though the cold ate at my skin and the pain in my heart made me want to cry.

But then I was falling, slipping down a hill I hadn’t seen.

And the world went black.

***

Sam.

I woke to a cold hand on my shoulder, shaking me awake.

“Hey, where’s Celeste?”

I glanced to the other side of the bed, where I’d left her.

She was always surrounded by pillows and didn’t like us getting too close in sleep. She got too hot and her back hurt, so we gave her some space.

But the place that should have housed my mate was empty.

I sat up.

“I don’t know. Where’s Dane? Maybe she’s with him?” But as I said the words, cold fear spread through my gut. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s gone. I can’t find her. Dane’s getting dressed. Get up, get some clothes on.”