Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (3 page)

Sanctuary? What is that? Would they help someone like her?
At this point, she wasn’t sure she’d make it to Ohio. But if she didn’t have a choice, then she’d have to figure it out.

“You want us to take a cat into Sanctuary?” Xander exclaimed, shaking his head.

“Why not?” Eden asked as she looked between the two men.

“Let’s put the claws away and then we’ll talk about what we need to do,” Nate suggested, nodding toward her furry paws.

Tess eyed him for a long minute. He hadn’t hurt her. And she knew that he could if he wanted to. She was injured, and in no condition for a fight against two wolves. It would be in her best interest to play nice for the moment. She closed her eyes, willing her hands to change. Her arms trembled as the bones snapped and then popped back into place. Once the shift was complete, she opened her eyes and eased her hands free of Nate’s grip. She instantly missed his warmth and softly rubbed her fingers over her tingling wrists.

***

N
ate hesitantly released his hold on Tess. She stepped back, but her sweet vanilla pine scent wafted around him. Her long hair fell in waves to her elbows and her chartreuse eyes studied him. She was enchanting—unlike any woman he’d seen before.

“I’ll just see myself out,” Tess stated as she took a few more steps back. She wavered on her feet, but managed to stay upright.

“You’re not going to make it very far,” Nate warned, nodding to her side. Crimson bled through the yellow tank top she wore. She was hurt, her wound reopened from the fighting. If she left, he’d wonder if she made it to her destination safely. The thought of something horrible happening to her frightened him—she was a stranger, his fear was unwarranted—but it was there.

Tess looked down and shook her head. “I’ll be fine,” she insisted.

“Let her go,” Xander shrugged.

“No,” Eden said, stepping in front of Tess. “You’re hurt. You passed out last night. What if someone catches up to you? Do you even know where you are going?”

“She said she’d be fine,” Xander replied.

Nate clenched his jaw. Werecats and Werewolves had a long-standing feud. It would cause an uproar to bring her into Sanctuary, but things had changed recently. Hunters were everywhere and were no doubt the cause of the werecats injuries. They couldn’t let her leave—he couldn’t let her leave. Why? Why couldn’t he let her go? He didn’t have an answer. Sure, Tess was attractive, but that didn’t explain why he
needed
her to stay. He could worry about that later. Right now, Tess required medical care, and he was going to see that she got it.

“Nate, please,” Eden pleaded looking between him and Tess.

The werecat had walked to the bed, and taken a seat on the plush purple comforter. She moved slowly and deliberately as she slipped her socks and shoes on. When she stood up, there was a fine sheen of sweat on her brow. He couldn’t let her leave. She probably wouldn’t make it out of town. If she collapsed and was brought to a human hospital that would only draw further attention to the shifter community. Attention they did not need.

“You’re hurt and there are hunters all over the area,” he explained, before turning to Xander. “We can’t risk her collapsing and being taken to a hospital. Protecting our species from people is important. We should take her before the council. There could be more going on than meets the eye.”

Xander let out a long breath and eyed the feline wearily. “Fine. But this is on you.”

“Thank you,” Eden sighed.

“I’m not going,” Tess snapped, her eyes flicking between the two wolves, the door, and the window.

“There are lots of shifters at Sanctuary: wolves, bears, snakes, and birds,” Eden explained.

“Things have changed in the past decade. Shifters have come to realize we need to work together against our common enemy,” Nate coaxed. He wasn’t sure that the truce extended to werecats, but it was worth a shot.

Tess tripped over her feet, wobbling as if she were going to pass out. Her face was pale—too pale. “Fine. I will go with you,” she whispered quietly.

Nate nodded. He just hoped this wasn’t a mistake. There was a long-standing war between the wolves and the cats and though his generation hadn’t been involved, he suspected the older wolves wouldn’t take kindly to her being there.
I guess I’ll just have to convince them otherwise. Yeah. That will be an easy task.

***

T
he trees and brush whirled by in a blur as the car flew down the back country roads. Tess tried to focus on the landmarks so she’d know where they were going, but her brain refused to work. Everything spun, and it took every ounce of strength she had to stay coherent. The poison was taking its toll. She just hoped she hadn’t waited too long to get help—not like she’d had much choice in the matter.

Nate and Xander talked in the front seat, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. She clasped her hands tightly together and dug her nails into her palms to keep herself awake.

If she passed out, who knows what would happen to her. Nate she trusted—she couldn’t explain why. Everyone else, not so much. Her eyes flicked to Nate. There were two of him, but that didn’t stop her from staring. She’d had a similar reaction to Eden the night before.
But why? What did it mean?
How could she trust two complete strangers so easily?

She was pulled from her thoughts when the car lurched to one side. Tess squinted as the vehicle bounced up and down. They weren’t on a road anymore. Tire tracks wound up the hill they were on and disappeared into the thick trees.

Tess drew in a deep breath as they entered the shelter of the brush. The scent of grass, leaves, dirt, and animals assaulted her senses. There were a lot of different shifters here just as Eden had described. She shuddered, realizing she was outnumbered.
It’s going to be okay. They’re like you—sort of.

The car came to a halt and Xander shut the ignition off. Tess fumbled for the handle on the car door and let herself out. Her head spun as she stood up.
Stay strong. Don’t pass out.

“We’ve got a bit of a hike,” Nate said.

Tess jumped, wondering how he’d gotten so close so fast. She was losing it. As apprehensive as she was about being here, she knew she would never have made it to Ohio. The poison was mixing with her blood. If she didn’t get help, she would be dead sooner than later.

“I’m not sure she can make it,” Xander said, watching her.

Tess gritted her teeth and fought through the double vision, glaring at the man she thought was the real Xander. She’d show him. “I’m fine.”

“I’m going to go ahead and warn the others. Let them know we got a cat here,” Xander said, before jogging—or was he walking, away?

“Send a medical team,” Nate called.

A blurry hand reached out for her and she batted it away.

“I’m fine,” she insisted as she stumbled.

“If you say so,” Nate sighed.

Tess pushed off the car and inhaled sharply, her side didn’t hurt anymore, in fact, she didn’t have any pain.
Am I so close to death that the pain has subsided? No. You’re going to be fine. You’re still thinking coherently. Take what you can get and be happy about it.
Now if she could make the world stop bouncing she’d be okay. She took a minute to focus her sight before falling in step with Nate.

“How’d you end up in Tennessee?” Nate asked.

“Passing through,” she mumbled, not entirely sure she could have an actual conversation and maneuver up the hill. It was taking all of her focus to stay on her feet.

“By yourself?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Your pack was attacked?” Nate continued to question.

“My
pride
was attacked, yes,” she replied.

“I’m sorry,” Nate murmured. “The Hunters have been lethal the past few months. I’m part of a team that goes out and helps packs, other shifters, or prides that are in distress. You from around here?”

“Washington State,” she answered, trying to take in the scenery. It’d be important to know the way out—if she needed to escape.
You have to get fixed up before you can worry about fleeing.
Nate was okay, but that didn’t mean everyone else would be.

“You’re a long way from home,” Nate commented.

Tess shrugged. “When you’re running for your life you keep running.”

“Anyone follow you?” Nate asked his voice growing deeper as his feet halted.

“No. I don’t think so. I think I lost them somewhere in Georgia.” She may have lost them before that. She’d been in her leopard form and had run for a full day without looking back.

“Good. Hunters haven’t discovered Sanctuary yet we want to keep it that way,” Nate said continuing on.

Tess nodded in understanding. The longer they went without detection the better. “How did Sanctuary come about?” she asked curiously.

“I’ve been here since I was three. My pack originated in Virginia, but hunters overran us. We ended up here along with some other packs, and overtime, it just kept growing and we started taking in different shifters. The council was formed and—”

“What’s the Council?” Tess cut him off.

“The alphas of each pack or the elected leaders by the solitary shifters are on the council, and together they make executive decisions for the greater good of everyone here,” he explained. “It was hard at first, but I think everyone is falling into a groove.”

“And everyone gets along?” Tess inquired warily. The walking was getting tiresome, and she didn’t know how much longer she could go without passing out. She squinted her eyes, trying to make out how much further this Sanctuary place was.

“For the most part. There are rules that all residents are required to follow,” Nate started, but paused, cocking his head to the side. “Xander sent a welcoming party. They’ll be here in a minute.”

Tess stiffened and stopped walking.

“Hey,” Nate said, touching her shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re safe here. I promise.”

Tess swallowed and stared down at his hand. The haze in her head cleared and she stared intently at Nate. His touch was innocent, but it ignited a desire in her she’d never felt before. Her lips parted and her body leaned forward of its own volition. She wanted to taste him.

Nate’s finger brushed against her collarbone, sending liquid heat coursing through her. His head tilted forward, his eyes locking with hers.

She blinked as her heart sped up. No.
No. No. He’s a wolf. What are you thinking?
She wasn’t even sure if she could trust him—not really anyway—her intuition could be wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time. She snapped her head away and pushed past him. Keep walking.

She stumbled the second she broke contact from him. The dizziness and blurriness returned. Weird. It wasn’t something she could afford to worry about at the moment; a welcoming party was on the way.

A howl erupted into the air and echoed off the rocks. She froze as her eyes darted around, trying to find the wolf. Flee. Her feet were sluggish as she attempted to run.

“Whoa,” Nate caught her before she could get too far. “They’re just loud. Come on out guys,” he called.

Tess curled into Nate as six wolves stalked out of the brush. Her fingers clasped onto his shirt tightly as she pressed herself against his firm body. Nate wrapped a protective hand around her waist and held his other up to stop the wolves. The animals sat on their haunches staring at her inquisitively.

Tess released her death grip on Nate’s shirt feeling less threatened with the wolves sitting. Her wolf wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.
Wait. What? My wolf? And since when do you trust him? You don’t know him.

The leaves to her right rustled loudly and a shrill, voice called out angrily, “What is this?”

N
ate grumbled under his breath as he turned to meet his mother’s glare.

“What is she doing here?” his mother demanded, eyeing Tess.

“She’s hurt,” he explained simply.

“She’s a werecat,” his mother argued. “Get her out of here. She isn’t welcome.”

Tess pulled away from him, standing straighter. She inhaled shakily and swayed on her feet but made no inclination that she was going to move.

“This is a place of sanctuary, all shifters are welcome here,” his father stated, emerging from the trees. His father’s dark brown eyes turned to Tess. “Including werecats.” He took a step toward Tess. “I understand you’re hurt. Come lets get you inside.” He motioned with his fingers, and two men hustled out of the bushes carrying a stretcher.

“And what about the council?” his mother pressed, crossing her arms. “Enemy shifter’s need to be cleared before allowed onto Sanctuary’s grounds.”

“We’ll hold a meeting after she is tended for. I’m not going to make the girl wait while the council assembles,” his father replied. He offered his hand to Tess and after a long moment she accepted it. “Come let’s get you taken care of,” he repeated as they approached the cot.

“I can walk,” Tess replied stubbornly.

“Very well,” his father acknowledged, leading the way into Sanctuary.

Nate went to follow, but his mother stepped in front of him blocking his path. “Surely you haven’t forgotten that werecats are our enemies,” she snapped, her icy blue eyes churning with anger.

Nate shook his head at his mother. How could he forget the stories? She had told them to him every night at bedtime as a child. His mother hadn’t been the nurturing type. What she lacked in physical strength, she made up for with her tenacity.

“I know the stories, Mom, but those are stories from grandma’s youth. The fighting had nothing to do with her. She wasn’t even born,” he insisted. It was the truth everything that had happened between the wolves and the cats took place decades ago.

His mom smoothed a hand over her pristine, grey suit. “They can’t be trusted. Cats betrayed us in the past, they’ll do it again,” she snapped. “If werecats or hunters end up here, it will be on you.” She arched a pointed brow at him.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said through gritted teeth before walking past his mother. Maybe one day he’d do something to her satisfaction. Yeah right, hell would freeze over first.