Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (21 page)

“Sounds pretty perfect. Except for the rain. Doesn’t it rain a lot there?” Nate questioned.

“Sometimes,” Tess admitted. “I’ve been thinking if my pride has to relocate it should be further south. Like Florida.” Someplace nice and warm. If she went far enough south she would never have to worry about the cold again—except for those freak occurrences.

“Would you really go that far?” Nate asked, turning to her.

Tess shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t really have a home right now. I’m guessing my family and I aren’t ever going to get the welcome mat rolled out for us.” Sure they’d helped Thea and Audrey, but she got the very distinct impression that they weren’t wanted there. The armed guards outside their
guestroom
were an indicator of how much they were trusted.

“Give people some time. They’ll come around,” Nate urged.

Tess quirked her brow up. Was he serious? There had been a sliver of a chance before, now she was pretty sure it was gone. “Maybe. But I have a feeling this,” she reached forward and ran her fingers over his mark.  “Is going to get me showed to the door real fast.”

His skin was hot, and it burned the pads of her fingers. Tess shivered as her body heated. Desire pooled in her belly and she closed her eyes, wishing the thoughts away.
Now is not the time.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Nate answered honestly. “But I do know that I’m one of their best trackers and fighters. From what I’ve seen you can handle yourself too. Sanctuary
needs
people like us. If they were smart, they’d set their differences aside and accept you and us.”

“Us?” Tess asked quietly.

Nate turned around to face her. His blue eyes wild as they took in her body. Tess swallowed under his heated gaze, and her breathing became labored.

“That’s what I was saying before we got interrupted. I want to complete the bond Tess,” he said, taking a step closer.

Tess shivered at his proximity. Her nipples hardened and her core tightened with a familiar ache.

Nate clamped his eyes shut, scrunching up his face. He took a few steps back before finally opening his eyes again. “We’re not doing this here. It’s too dangerous.”

Tess swallowed hard, forcing the lump forming in her throat down. He was right now was not the time. Nate spun on his heel and continued to trudge through the trees.

“I understand what you’re saying,” she started needing the distraction of words to keep her body’s needs at bay. “But look at history, not just ours, but history in general. It’s filled with people and shifters alike doing things that don’t make sense because they
can’t
set their differences aside.

Nate inhaled a deep breath, his shoulders rising up as he did. “Then it’s up to us to make sure that we make them see what they need to.”

Tess bowed her head down to duck under a tree. She understood what he was saying, but it wasn’t as easy as he seemed to think it was. Prejudices ran deep and once someone thought a certain way, there was little hope of changing their opinion.

***

N
ate worked to scrub the mud away from the carpets as Tess worked in the bathroom. They’d inadvertently tracked in a bunch of dirt. The last thing they wanted was for the homeowners to come home and think someone had been in their home. No one knew where he and Tess were, the longer they could keep it that way, the better.

“Need some help?” Tess asked as she squatted down next to him. “Bathrooms all clean.”

Her vanilla pine perfume enveloped him and he fought the urge to reach out and touch her. He’d needed to distance himself from her the moment they’d gotten into the house. Walking with her naked through the woods had been a challenge. Her glorious naked body was perfect in every way, and he wanted to claim it—claim her. Tess cleared her throat, drawing him from his thoughts.
She asked you a question. Answer it.
“Almost done here too,” he commented as he moved his towel vigorously over a stain. Did they do that or was it already there? It sure wasn’t coming up.

“What’s our plan from here?” Tess asked, watching him.

Nate sat back on his bottom and stared down at the tough spot. Tess took the initiative and sprayed some more carpet cleaner down before blotting at it.

“I texted my mom. Callum’s tracking a lead right now. As soon as it pans out he’s going to call us. My mom is transferring me some extra money into my spending account. We need to find some form of public transit then find a place to lie low for a bit,” he explained.

“So we stay low?” she asked as she continued to work the spot.

“I think that’s the best idea. It should only be a day or two. Callum’s as good a tracker as me. He’ll find them in no time,” Nate said confidently. While Nate got along with everyone on his team, there was camaraderie between he, Xander, and Callum. They were more than teammates. They were best friends—brothers.

“When we get a chance I want to check in on Thea and Audrey,” Tess mentioned quietly.

“Of course.” He should’ve thought of that. He cursed under his breath. Way to be caring. “As soon as we hit the road we’ll give them a call.”

“I’m sure they are fine,” Tess continued. “It’s just Thea is so close to her due date and Audrey... I hope she’s woken up by now.”

“I think you’ve got it now,” Nate observed, indicating the stain.

Tess stopped blotting, and they both looked down at the spot. The carpet looked clean. Silently, they gathered their used towels, trash, and cleaning supplies and put them back where they belonged.
It looks like we were never here.

Nate tied the trash bag as he led the way to the back French door. He opened it then switched the lock, pulling it shut after they’d left. With any luck, the homeowners would be none the wiser of their presence. He deposited the trash in a waste bin, and then hustled down the stairs, Tess right behind him.

Now they needed to find a safe place to stay. Hopefully they could find one soon. He was beat.

N
ate blinked his eyes open. The smell of pine and vanilla enveloped him and he inhaled sharply. Tess. Her hair tickled his nose. He looked down at the sleeping beauty. Tess rested with her head against his chest, and one arm wrapped around his torso. The oversized tee she wore dipped down off her shoulder, exposing her soft, creamy skin.

He smiled to himself. She’d fallen asleep before him with her head resting on the glass window of the Grey Hound. And he recalled tipping his head back to rest on the headrest. Yet, somehow their bodies had gravitated towards each other.

The bus lurched over a bump and Tess stirred against him. He peered out the window as he pulled her closer, he wasn’t ready for her to pull away yet. They were almost to their destination; he wouldn’t be able to hold her too much longer, best to savor it while he could. The trip was short and sweet. Not wanting to travel too far, they’d chosen the closest hub they could find. Indianapolis was a bit out of the way, but it would do for now.

The driver’s voice crackled over the loudspeaker announcing their arrival. Tess groaned, shifting as she sat up. Her hand trailed up his chest, lingering over his heart as she met his eyes. He stifled a gasp at the contact. It was heavenly, and he wanted to feel more.

“Hey,” she whispered. Her warm breath caressed his neck, and he gritted his teeth, begging his body to behave.

“Hi,” he greeted. “We are almost there.” He reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, letting the silky strands slide through his fingers as he did.

Tess held his gaze, her breath hitching. “Where do we go now?”

Nate shifted, causing her to slip and fall closer to him. Her lips were so close, so round and perfect.
All I have to do is close the distance and I can taste those beautiful pink lips again.
He inched forward, inhaling her sweet aroma. Grumbling from the seat in front of him drew him from his trance. They weren’t alone. “I was thinking we should see about getting some type of vehicle and then go to a hotel. Get some sleep. There isn’t much point in wandering all over the place until we’ve heard from Callum.” Ambling around would waste their money and wear them down. They should be safe from hunters for the moment. It would be wise to take the reprieve while they could.

Tess’ tongue darted out to lick her lips as she pushed herself up all the way. Her warm hand stayed on his chest, and he shifted trying to conceal the hardening of his cock. Now wasn’t the time for any fantasies. But her perfume was so intoxicating, and her body was so close. He needed distance before he did something stupid. There were a few dozen people on the bus. He couldn’t lose control.

The bus lurched to a stop, and he swallowed, quickly standing up. He needed space right now. Tess fell forward, but caught herself on the seat. She frowned as she looked up at him.

Smiling, he looked down at her, and offered Tess his hand. “You ready?”

Tess’ gaze drifted from his eyes to his hand, then back again. Slowly, she slid her fingers into his. He grasped her slender hand and helped her up into the aisle.

He drew her close, wrapping his arm around her. The bus bustled around them as passengers stood and occupied the aisle in front of them. One of the drawbacks to being in the back, you were always the last ones off. At least they’d had peace and quiet throughout the trip.

They hastily shuffled down the narrow walkway until they finally disembarked. Nate wrinkled his nose as he breathed in the smog filled air. Yuck. There was something to be said about the woods of Tennessee. Fresh air was wonderful.

“Where to now?” Tess asked as she looked around taking in their surroundings.

She shivered in his embrace and he pulled her closer. He would have to get her a jacket. The thin tee she wore did little to protect her from the elements. New clothes for both of them wouldn’t be a bad idea. The garments they’d taken were much too big for both of them.

“We passed a store not too far from here. Let’s get some better clothes and a few supplies, then see about getting a car and a room,” Nate suggested. Taking care of the necessities first was his top priority—clothing, food, wheels, and shelter.

“How much money did your mom wire you?” Tess asked curiously.

“Five grand,” he answered in a hushed voice. Even if they could take care of themselves, he didn’t want to give anyone a reason to pick a fight.

“So figure between three and four on a car. We’ll need to make sure it’s reliable,” she commented as they stepped onto the sidewalk and away from the bus.

He smiled, biting back the urge to explain to her that they probably wouldn’t be able to buy anything reliable in that price range. “It won’t be a nice plush truck that’s for sure,” Nate sighed. The truck they’d been in had been awesome. It wasn’t his, but he wished it were.
Except now its wrapped around a tree and has bullet holes in it. Not so glamorous anymore.

“Anything with four wheels that moves is good,” she paused and grinned. “I had an old clunker at home. Betsy wasn’t pretty, but she was reliable.”

“Betsy? You named your car?” Nate asked intrigued. Sure he knew that people named their car. People named all sorts of inanimate objects, but he’d never figured Tess to be that type of person.

Her smile waned and his heart pinched, wondering what he’d said wrong. “Not me. It was my mom’s car when she was younger. My dad was in the process of having it completely restored for me.”

Nate cleared his throat. “That was a sweet gesture.”

A smile tugged at her lips again. “It was. Thea wanted no part of driving stick, but I was happy to learn. Got a pretty great car out of it too,” she paused, huffing loudly. “I wonder what happened to it?”

Nate considered his next words carefully. He didn’t want to do anything to upset her, but he was curious too. “What kind of car was it?”

“1982 Pontiac Firebird. It was this bright red and had pop up headlights. I loved it,” she sighed wistfully.

“Sounds nice. We’ll have to see about getting you another one.”

“You can’t just snap your fingers and make one appear,” Tess whispered.

“I didn’t say it’d happen overnight,” he chuckled.

Tess’ brow rose as if to challenge him. “I’ll be pleasantly surprised if you make it happen at all.”

“I think you’ll find I’m full of surprises. You just got to stick around long enough to see them,” he shot back.

Tess chewed on her lower lip as she eyed him. “Maybe I will,” she said quietly.

Nate’s heart sped up at the thought. He hadn’t figured out how he was going to ensure his mate stayed at Sanctuary, convincing her seemed easy enough, everyone else was the problem. Somehow it was going to happen. Tess was his and he would do whatever he needed to protect her and give her what she wanted.

***

T
ess woke up with a start and blinked up at the darkened ceiling. Shadows danced over ahead as headlights flitted through the crack in the drawn curtains. She swallowed as she fought through the fogginess of her brain to remember where she was.
Hotel. Indiana. Nate.

Nate? Where is he? She sat up and twisted. The wolf slept on the other bed. The blankets pooled around his torso, exposing his bare upper body. Tess licked her lips as hunger rolled through her. Sweat beaded on her brow as her body overheated. Her core ached, and the mark on the back of her neck burned.

I want this. I need this. Complete the bond.
She stood up and ran a hand through her tousled hair. It had only been a few days, but the threat of their fourteen days ending loomed over her head. Who knows what is going to happen? Something else could come up before you have the chance to mate.

Tess bit her lip as indecision plagued her.
Do I do something now?
She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to get her foggy brain to think clearly. Bonding wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.
I’ve already made up my mind.

Getting up, she stumbled to the sink and turned on the cold water. She cupped her hands under the icy water and let it pool in her palms. Tess leaned forward and splashed it on her face, grimacing as the cool water cascaded down.