Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (4 page)

Nate hiked up the hill, ignoring the stares from his fellow shifters. Everyone was curious about the werecat—including him. But more importantly, he yearned to know Tess was going to be okay. Ironic that a slip of a girl, who he’d known for less than two hours, already had him concerned. He cared about the shifters he rescued, and always wanted the best for them, but this was different. His stomach knotted with worry, and his heart clenched tightly in his chest. He
needed
her to be okay.

He made his way to the top of the incline and shoved aside the brush that led to the entrance. The sliding doors hissed open, and he entered the large compound. Sanctuary was above ground, but used the mountain and the trees to disguise the large building. Vegetation covered the roof, walls, and most of the windows, giving the compound the perfect disguise.

Nate traveled down the long corridors and into the medical wing. The stench of antiseptic hit him hard as he entered, and he twitched his nose in displeasure. He hated the alcohol odor of the infirmary. Too many mishaps as a youth—and a few as an adult too—had landed him here.

As he continued down the long beige hall, one of the doors opened and his father stepped out. His old man’s eyes widened with surprise as they landed on Nate.

“Is she going to be all right?” Nate asked, ignoring his father’s look.

His father placed his hands behind his back and turned to look into the small rectangular window. “Doc is getting her some medicine now. She’s still fairly coherent and able to walk, I don’t imagine the poison has caused any permanent damage yet.”

“Good.”

“How did you come by her?” his father asked, still gazing into the infirmary.

“I didn’t. Eden did,” he explained.

His father snapped his head toward Nate at the mention of Eden. “How did that happen?”

Nate nodded towards the closed door. “Tess wandered into Gordy’s last night, then passed out.”

“You’re positive no one followed her?” his father pressed.

“I wouldn’t have left Eden if I’d thought there was danger,” he assured his father.

“I know,” he sighed and ran a hand through his greying hair. “How is your sister? I presume she is well?”

“She’s good,” he assured. Eden was a sore spot for his father. He didn’t get to see his daughter as often as he wanted.

His father smiled faintly and placed a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “I’m glad. Be sure to keep an eye on her though. I fear it won’t be long until the hunters make their way here. All of our neighbors have been forced into taking residence here. There isn’t another pack for five hundred miles.” He shook his head sadly. His father’s eyes snapped to the left, staring at something behind Nate. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to meet with the council.” He nodded to someone behind him and held up one finger. “I trust you’ll stay with her until after the meeting. Some of the council members won’t like her presence.”

Yeah. His mom was one of them. Nate leaned against the wall. “I’ll be here.” There wasn’t anywhere else he wanted to be.

***

T
ess groaned, turning onto her side. She let out a strangled yelp as the motion sent a burning sensation through her side. Rolling onto her back, she opened her eyes and stared up at the bright florescent lights. She blinked rapidly against the offensive light and lifted her hand to rub at her eyes.

A cord rose up with her arm, and she squinted at the clear tube. IV. She shot up, tossing the blankets to the floor.

Nate stood up from a chair in the corner and walked toward her slowly. “You’re up,” he stated, raising his hands so she could see them. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Tess met his eyes and swallowed as she recalled how she’d ended up here.

“How do you feel?” he asked. His eyes flicked to the beeping monitor and then back to her.

“I’m all right,” she answered indifferently. Her side ached, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Good,” he grinned. The smile lit up his amber eyes.

“Why are you here?” she asked quietly.

“Orders. Members of the council are meeting now. I’m supposed to stay with you until they decide what to do,” he shrugged.

She didn’t need a bodyguard.
I’ll just show myself out, thank you.
“Well then, your job is done. I’ll be on my way,” she replied as she looked at the tape holding the IV in place. Carefully, she placed her fingers over the adhesive and pried it off.  She grunted as the sticky tape ripped off the top layer of her skin.

“Whoa,” Nate argued, his hand shooting out to cover hers. Heat seeped through his fingers into her skin, sending gooseflesh shooting up her arm. “You still need to heal.”

“I feel better.” She did too. Her side was sore, but nowhere near the throbbing she’d endured the past few days.

“There is no rush, Tess, you can stay as long as you need,” he offered.

Tess stared down at his hand that still rested over hers. A part of her wanted to stay. Why? For a man she barely knew. That made no sense. No one—except Nate... maybe—wanted her here. Even if she wanted to stay, she had to find her family. They were still out there somewhere. What if they were hurt too and needed help? She had to get back out there.

Her mind made up, she pushed his hand away and ripped the rest of the tape off her arm. She gritted her teeth and pulled the needle out of her arm. A rivulet of blood bubbled to the surface, and she flexed her hand, hissing as her bones snapped and nails elongated into their feline form. Once the paw was formed, she shifted it back, smiling when the small spot where the IV had been disappeared. She was healed—well for the most part. Now, she just needed to shift fully and her side would be better.

She slid off the bed and stood up. Her feet wobbled slightly, causing her to sway. Nate’s hand jutted out to help steady her. Tess gasped at the contact, her eyes flicking to meet his.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, holding her shoulders tighter.

Tess yawned and stretched, rising up on her tiptoes to work out the kinks. She felt like she’d slept for two days.  “Yeah. How long was I out for?” she asked curiously, gazing into his eyes. Her stretching had brought her closer to him, their chests brushed against each other, causing her breath to hitch. She blinked getting lost in his stare. It was mesmerizing. Again, she found herself wanting to close the distance between them.

“Six hours,” Nate blurted, jolting her back to her senses.

Six hours? That was too long. Every hour she spent here was time she wasn’t spending searching for her family. She snapped out of her trance. If her sister made it out with her mate and the others, then they could be to Ohio already. “Seriously? I have to go,” she said, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Where?” he asked concerned.

“Ohio, Cincinnati area. To look for my family,” she explained.

“I don’t know of any packs—prides in Ohio,” Nate replied, stepping back so she could gather her things.

“Well, werecats are your enemy,” she reminded. Why would he know where they were?

“True,” he conceded. “But I was in the Cincinnati area a few months ago to help out a werebear family. They said they were the only shifters in the area. The hunters combed over the state in full force. Are you sure they’re there?”

Tess paused, remembering her father’s words. He’d said Cincinnati, Ohio.
But what if he was wrong? What if his information was old? Why do I trust a wolf I’ve only just met? He could be lying.
Her heart sped up as she considered the idea. She studied Nate, scrutinizing him. Calmness washed over her. He was telling the truth—she didn’t know how she knew—she just did.

“Hunters came close to our home many times before they found us. We are very good at hiding,” she argued.

“Maybe. But nowhere is safe. Even here,” he warned.

“If the group I was with made it out, that’s where they would go. My sister is with them. I have to look for her,” Tess insisted. Crap. If what he said was true, her sister could be walking straight into a trap.

“Tess, you’re not well enough to do that yet. Take a day and heal, shift, then leave if you must,” Nate insisted.

“Who said anything about her leaving?” a female voice snapped as the infirmary door swung open.

Nate stiffened as Tess turned toward the intruders. She instantly recognized the voice. It was the same snotty woman from before. Great. Tess narrowed her eyes, sizing up the older woman.
I don’t have time to be a prisoner. My family needs me. I can take her. She looks like she spends more time behind a desk than she does fighting. Nate will be a challenge though.

“She’s not a prisoner,” Nate defended, stepping in front of Tess.

“That’s not your call,” the woman shot back.

The hairs on Tess’ arms prickled as she took in the domineering alpha female standing in front of her exit. Tess’ eyes darted over the room, looking for weapons and another way to escape. If it came to it, she’d make a run for it.

“Of course she isn’t a prisoner,” the man who had escorted her to the infirmary replied, stepping past the prickly woman. “She is our guest here, and we would be most humbled if you decided to stay.”

Tess shifted on her feet. The older man seemed nice enough, but what if he were trying to trick her? She needed to be careful how she played this.
They don’t want you here; hopefully, they’ll let you go.

“I appreciate the offer,” Tess started, staring hesitantly between the two men. They were clearly related. Both had the same cobalt eyes and russet colored hair. Their body build was also similar, except Nate was a touch taller than the older man and more muscular.
Enough ogling. Time to move.
“But I have to go.”

The woman bristled as she crossed her arms over her middle. “We can’t just let you leave.”

Tess huffed, grabbing her sweater and shrugging it on. “Want to bet,” she growled.

“Whoa,” Nate interjected. He wrapped a hand around her wrist. Tess snapped her attention to him, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. “Both of you need to calm down,” he insisted.

“Perhaps it would be best if you let us handle this, Patrice,” the older man said to the woman.

The woman glowered and shook her head once.

“Patrice,” the man sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “The council has already decided. Don’t make this difficult, or personal.”

“Can we not subject her to our family drama. Out with it already,” Nate growled.

Tess quirked a brow. Father. Yes, the man could definitely be his dad. But the woman? Tess scrutinized her carefully. Mom? Maybe. Her and Nate had similar jawbones. That seemed to be the only resemblance though. Thank goodness he didn’t have her personality because it sucked.

The man cleared his throat and jammed his hands into his pockets. “Sanctuary is a safe haven for people like us. I’m sure you can understand the importance of its location remaining a secret,” he explained.

Tess nodded. They may not be welcoming her with open arms here, but she would never do anything to harm a fellow shifter. “I’m not going to tell anyone about this place.”

The woman rolled her eyes as she scoffed and shook her head.

Tess narrowed her eyes, focusing on Nate and the older gentleman. Hell would freeze over before she convinced Patrice of her plight, that much was obvious. The two men were her best bet to winning her freedom. “I understand this place needs to remain a secret. But I need to leave. My family could be out there. They could be hurt, or even being pursued by the hunters. I have to find them.”

“There are more of you out there? Perfect. I don’t want her kind prancing around here. She should be locked up, not out and about,” Patrice hissed.

“Patrice,” the older man snapped.

“Charles,” she taunted back.

“What is it that you want?” Tess growled. Would they just tell her what was going on already? If she needed to fight her way out, she would prefer to do it before anyone else showed up.

Nate’s grip on her wrist tightened—she’d forgotten his hand was there. She wrenched her arm free. Her eyes shifted into their feline form of their own volition and her body shook, readying to transition if needed. If these wolves thought they could easily subdue her, they had another thing coming.

“Easy,” Charles insisted, holding out his hand as a sign of peace.

“If you are trying to assure her, you two are doing a horrible job,” Nate said, sitting down on her abandoned bed.

Patrice grunted and took a step back. “I can’t stand to be around her another minute anyway. I trust you’ll follow the rules set forth and agreed upon by the council members,” Patrice glared at Charles.

Charles nodded his head as Patrice continued to stare. Finally, she took another step back, spun on her heel and marched off down the hall.

The tension in the room lessened and Tess blinked, allowing her eyes to return to normal.

“You’ll have to excuse her,” Charles started. “Her pack had a bad run in with a pride a long time ago. It cost a lot of wolves their lives. But that is beside the point, and in the past. While you are
not
a prisoner here, Tess, we don’t want you to go out on your own again. Hunters know Sanctuary is around—they just don’t know where. I don’t believe you would willingly tell them where we are, but we all know the types of torture our enemy can inflict, and there is only so much a person can take. I presume you are trying to meet up with another pride?”

“Yes,” she replied hesitantly. Was he going to help her after all?

“I have a proposition for you,” he started. “The choice is of course yours. You can leave with a few escorts that will help you to your pride, or you can stay with us and make Sanctuary your home. Show our residents that the werecat community is not to be feared and if we come across any other werecats, you can be here to welcome them.”

“I need to see if my family is in Ohio,” Tess insisted. That’s where they would’ve gone, and she needed to ensure they weren’t already there.

Charles turned his attention to Nate. “Ohio?”

“I already told her we don’t know of any shifters in the state,” Nate explained.

“Even if they aren’t there, my sister and her mate will have gone there to search for them,” Tess replied. “My sister, Thea, she’s... she’s pregnant and vulnerable. I need to find her.”