Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (5 page)

Tess held her breath as she waited for Charles to reply. The alpha’s eyebrows crinkled as he contemplated her request.

Nate cleared his throat after a long moment. “Father?”

Charles turned to Nate. “Your team will leave first thing in the morning, Nate. Tess, I know you must be anxious to continue your search for your family, but you need at least a night to heal properly. An injury can cause mishaps and slow downs, and I’m sure you’ll move faster fully healed. Nate, show Tess to a guest room, but,” he paused, pinning Nate with a piercing stare. “Ensure you keep her close. Your mother isn’t the only one here who is disturbed by her presence,” he warned.

Tess bristled; they could at least give her a choice. Swallowing, she considered her options.
I can still fight my way out. But then I’d lose any ground I’ve gained with them. And I don’t know how many shifters are here.
She didn’t want to wait until morning, but Charles did make a good point. Injuries were a hindrance that could get her killed. If she stayed tonight, she would get a warm meal, a bed, and a chance to shift and heal. If she were going to help her family, she needed to be in her peak.

N
ate watched as the sleek black cat darted through the leaves. Tess’ feline form was beautiful, and she moved with a grace and agility that no wolf ever could. It was interesting to see the movements of other shifters. All species had their strengths and weaknesses. Werebears were strong, but slow compared to wolves. The snakes and birds were limited in their forms. Birds were tiny and restricted to the air. The snakes were sluggish with their movements and while they were quiet and sneaky, they relied heavily on their venomous bite. Nate had always assumed wolves were the superior shifters, but this werecat was giving him pause. He’d never realized how tiny leopards were, or how quick. Perhaps he should have shifted too. Tess could easily and swiftly take him out in her feline form if she wanted to.

She’s not going to hurt you. He didn’t know why he felt that way—he just did. Maybe his mom had it wrong about werecats. Tess wasn’t a threat, in fact, he saw her as an ally. Were all feline shifters like Tess, or was she special? He’d never been this close to one before to know.
You’ve never seen a werecat period.

Her lithe form ducked behind the back of the building and he heard the snapping and crackling of breaking bones. After a moment, Tess emerged from around the corner dressed in a pair of jeans and a form-fitting tee. The borrowed garments were too big on her, but not so large that they hid her curvy frame. Her long cinnamon hair whipped in the wind, filling the air with her intoxicating perfume. She looked mesmerizing.

Tess gathered her hair at the nape of her neck as she came to a stop in front of him. She twirled the long locks and then dropped them over her shoulder.

“Feeling better?” he asked. His eyes darted to her side where the bullet wound had been.

“It’s completely healed,” she replied with a smile. “After a bite to eat, I’ll be as good as new.”

“Good.” He looked down at his silver watch. “Dinner should be ready. Come on let’s get something to eat and then I’ll show you to your quarters,” Nate said, knowing that she would need to replace the calories burned by shifting.

“When will we be leaving tomorrow?” Tess inquired, falling into step with him. “I’d like to leave as soon as possible.”

“We usually leave at sunrise. We can double check with the guys at dinner. They usually like to eat early and are probably already in the mess hall,” he explained. The guys would want to get the mission over with quickly. He was sure they wouldn’t have a problem leaving early.

“No girls are going?” Tess asked curiously.

“No. Of course not. Why?” he asked surprised by her question.

Tess scrunched up her face. “I’m not looking forward to a long car ride with all men.”

Nate shook his head. “Our women here are coveted. They don’t leave the confines of Sanctuary unless it is absolutely necessary, or they are with a security detail.”

“Why? Women are good fighters too,” Tess scoffed and Nate turned on her, taking her in fully. She was tiny—short and thin—maybe a touch too skinny. Even though she was small, he had a feeling the feline would put up one hell of a fight if needed. Still, she couldn’t be serious. Female shifters were always protected. They were dainty and not considered fighters. The women cared for the children and the compound. Females ensured their species continued on. Mating with humans tainted the bloodlines. He’d be the first to admit that their customs seemed a little outdated, but he didn’t get to the make the rules, and no one else challenged them.

Tess narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “No place is safe from the hunters. Not even here. Anyone who can’t fight is a liability.” Tess glared at him, anger simmering in her eyes. “Is that why the escorts are necessary? You don’t
think
I’m capable of taking care of myself?”

Nate opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off.

Tess took a step toward him. “I took out six hunters at my home. After getting shot, I ran from Washington to Tennessee. By myself. I’m not weak,” she hissed. “I can make it to Ohio on my own.”

Nate licked his lips as he contemplated his words. The wrong thing would further enrage her. “I know. I’m sure you can. But our enemies are in this area. They know Sanctuary is around here somewhere. The leaders of Sanctuary want to play it safe.”

“Whatever.” Tess rolled her eyes and marched toward the door.

“You really took out six of them?” Nate questioned as he ran to catch up to her. Sure, she had to be tough if she’d run as far as she said, but their enemy was not easily defeated. Even in her feline form, Tess couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. Hunters were human, but with enhanced strength and speed.

“In the pride, you learn to fight from an early age regardless of your gender. Everyone is a warrior. Everyone learns how to defend themselves. Female shifters are treated as equals.” She placed her hand on the door then turned to meet his gaze again. Her eyes constricted into tiny slits. “Hunters don’t care if you’re a man, woman, or child. They’ll kill you regardless. They don’t discriminate. Why should you?” With that, she spun on her heel and entered the compound.

Nate stared after her, watching the gentle sway of her hips. Tess Monroe was not going to make a lot of friends amongst the wolves with an attitude like that. But, Sanctuary
needed
more people like her. Fighters. Survivors. He could think of a handful of male shifters with Tess’ spirit, but no females. Go figure, the one female shifter who finally had his attention was a cat.

Sanctuary housed a lot of female wolves, but none of them called to his wolf the way the leopard did. Cats and wolves don’t mix. The council would never approve, and his mother would kill him. Get her to Ohio and forget her. That was the best option for them both. Hopefully, his wolf would agree.

***

T
ess shook with anger as she followed the aromatic smell of roasted beef to the kitchen. Nate’s footsteps were a few paces behind her. She didn’t need anyone to show her around like she was helpless. Her senses and instincts worked just fine. She grinned as she came to a halt in front of two large wooden doors. Above them a red label read
Cafeteria.

She gripped the cool metal handle in her hand and yanked the mess hall door open. The conversation in the room quieted, and all eyes flicked to her. She clenched her jaw and marched in. Was this how they treated all newcomers? Why would anyone ever stay? Were people that desperate? The simple answer was yes. Hunters were everywhere and nowhere was safe. Safety was in numbers.

If the pride in Ohio was gone as Nate suggested, Tess wasn’t sure she would have a choice but to come back. She wouldn’t last long on her own—no one would. Hunters always attacked in groups, and they thrived on seeking out easy targets. Leaving behind the safe haven of a pride—or a pack, would be signing her death sentence.

I don’t want to get stuck here
, she thought as she headed to the buffet. She could feel the stares boring into her.
I’m certainly not welcome. Don’t pay attention to them. You’ll be gone tomorrow.

Tess spooned a hefty scoop of mashed potatoes onto her plate and then used the tongs to pick up a steak. At least the shifters here knew how to eat. The cafeteria was filled with shifters—mostly wolves. And so far, everyone was going out of their way to keep their distance. You’d think she had the plague. At least there was plenty to eat. Delicious food was the only thing appealing about this place. Well, maybe not the only thing.

Her gaze slid to Nate who was piling a third steak onto his plate. His hand reached out and his arm brushed against hers as he picked up a roll. Gooseflesh erupted up her arm from the innocent touch and she shivered at the contact. He was so warm. The touch felt safe. Wow.
I need to get out of here. My brain is turning to mush. A wolf is anything but safe. Especially a chauvinistic pig that thinks I’m incapable of taking care of myself.

She didn’t need them. She could leave tonight. But as she took in the dining room and made note of the hundred or so shifters that were present, she realized sneaking out might not be that easy. Not to mention, she had no idea how many other people called this place home. It could be next to impossible to escape undetected, and it could make things worse for her. So far they were helping her. It wouldn’t kill her to wait until tomorrow. If they didn’t follow through with the trip, then she would flee.

“Ready to eat?” Nate asked, drawing her from her thoughts.

Her stomach rumbled in answer. “Yes.”

Nate stepped in front of her and led the way to a table in the corner. The chatter in the room grew quiet again as they moved through the large cafeteria. Tess glanced around the room. As she stared at her audience, they looked away, but as she passed, she felt their gaze turn back to her. Have they never seen a werecat before? Or maybe Patrice, and people like her, have poisoned their minds.

She doubted they knew the whole story between the great wolf and cat fight. Tess only knew one side of it as well. But if she had to guess, she’d venture that the version she knew was close to the truth.

“I see she’s still alive,” Xander said as Nate slid onto a bench.

Tess plastered a smile on her face as she sat down next to Nate. “It takes more than a poisoned bullet to take me down.”

Xander started to reply but Nate interrupted.

“Tess,” Nate began. “You remember Xander.” He motioned to the dark haired man and then waved his hand at the other men at the table. “And this is Ray, Callum, and Jax. They’ll be coming with us tomorrow.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Tess replied politely.

Two of the men, who she instantly recognized as wolves grumbled an unintelligible reply. The third, Callum offered her his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Tess.”

“You too,” she said, taking his hand. His shake was firm, almost to the point of pain, though she didn’t think it was intentional. He was a werebear. She’d never seen one before. Callum was tall—probably well over six feet, and bulky, but she imagined most of the girth was muscle—not fat. His onyx eyes held understanding. Tess imagined he knew what it was like to be an outsider. It was probably worse for him. Bears preferred to be solitary creatures—or so she’d heard. Living here amongst all the other shifters was probably torture.

Her attention snapped to her left as one of the rude wolves whispered something under his breath. The second threw his head back in laughter.

Tess shook her head and shoved her fork into her potatoes. At least it wouldn’t be a long trip to Ohio. Then she’d be done with these fools.
You’ll be done with Nate too.
Her heart pinched at the thought. What is it about him?

“I figure we’ll leave about five tomorrow morning,” Nate commented around a mouthful of steak.

“With any luck, we’ll be home before midnight,” Jax murmured.

“I don’t mind if we stay gone for a few nights,” Xander sighed as he picked at his steaming potatoes.

Nate nodded his head as Callum slapped Xander on the back. “Full moons almost here. I’d want to stay away too. Makes me thankful I have another two years before my twenty fifth birthday.”

Tess frowned. What difference did it make when the full moon was? Or how old they were? She was about to ask when a loud melodic tone sounded. Nate stood up and dug a sleek black phone from his back pocket.

“Hello,” he answered as he walked away from the table. Nate stopped by the corner, his broad back facing her.

Tess focused on her food, realizing she couldn’t hear Nate’s conversation over the commotion in the cafeteria. The two wolves at her table grew louder and more obnoxious. She gritted her teeth as one of them made a gesture toward her.
Ignore their immature antics. They are trying to get a rise from you.
It wouldn’t work. Food was more important than two juvenile wolves.

She took a bite of the savory meat and suppressed a moan as the tender beef fell apart in her mouth. They could cook here too. She was famished. Another trip up to the buffet might be needed, she mused eyeing Nate’s plate. Judging by the three steaks on his plate, there was no food shortage. Last night had been the first proper meal she’d had in days, and she hadn’t eaten since then.

“Xander, can you stay with Tess for a few?” Nate asked as he approached the table.

Tess snapped her head up. He was going to leave her with him? No way, was she going to stay with a man who clearly hated her existence.

“Me?” Xander croaked, taking a large sip of water.

“I have to run into town,” Nate said, starting toward the door.

“Eden?” Xander gulped. “I’m coming with you,” he called, standing up from the table. He grasped Tess’ arm as he passed her and hauled her up from the table.

Anger surged over her. What did he think he was doing? She fisted her hand and punched, connecting with his jaw.

Xander sputtered as his head snapped back. He released his grip as he cursed under his breath. Xander put his hand on his lip and growled when it came away bloody. His hand jutted out to grab her, but she ducked out of the way.