by T. A. Grey
“I’m going out.”
“Excuse me? We’re not back in the pack where you can just ride to the Burly Bear for a quick beer. Listen, I’m sorry for being pushy. No, really, I mean it. I’m sorry.” Sighing, Hanna sat up and pushed the loose hair out of her face. “I’ve been...I don’t know...desperate for conversation I guess. Things have been so strained lately and I have all these questions about you Alex.”
He tensed. “Questions?”
“Yeah, like the lock picking, the hostage situation stuff, the sex stuff. I have questions about it all and I’d love to sit and pick your mind.”
“I’m sure you would,’ he replied stiffly.
Hanna’s jaw sawed side to side. “As a matter of fact I would. I might die out here. One way or the other. We don’t know how this ends.” Her mood soured at the truth. “So, here I am, with you, all alone this whole time. I’m tired of this shit, Alex. I’m done with it all. Finished. Depleted. Dead inside. And through it all--- ” her voice broke, but she controlled it. “Nah, forget it. You know what? I’m sick and tired of chasing you. I’m tired of explaining myself to you. Of defending myself over nothing. And for what? For nothing. You give me nothing. Not even conversation. Not even information. I might as well be alone out here.”
Hanna rolled away, a hollow ache filling the void of her chest cavity where her heart should be. But she felt cold and numb.
“I remember you used to talk to me. You’d talk to me about Tom and our relationship. Remember when you defended me that night at the motel? You hit Tom in the face. I couldn’t believe that. It was amazing. It still is. But that seems like a long time ago. Back when you’d listen and encourage me to talk about things, even if they were uncomfortable for me. What happened? Never mind,” she said quickly. “Don’t answer that, because I don’t care anymore.”
And so he said nothing.
Sometime later, the door opened and a blistering cold wind surged inside the tiny cabin, nearly dousing the fire with its power. Hanna shivered and pull the sleeping bag up around her until the door closed.
She couldn’t tell the time without a watch, but the creeping of the rising sun told her he’d been gone some time. Hours.
Only after he returned did she roll onto her side and finally fall asleep, cold and numb.
Chapter THIRTY-TWO
Alex cleaned up using the hot water he heated over the fire. He dressed in snow-white camo, and re-packed some of their supplies before he stood once again in the center of the cabin staring at the back of Hanna’s sleeping form. No surprise she was still sound asleep, she hadn’t gone to bed until after he got back. If that didn’t eat a hole of guilt through him, he didn’t know what would.
He scrubbed a hand over the back of his head, wondering the best course of action. Should he wake her? Damn.
He felt like shit. About everything she’d said. The longer he thought about it, the more he was inclined to agree with her. Double damn. And bringing up the fact that he did in fact used to talk to her about intimate things was true. So why had he shut down effectively since all this shit hit the fan?
He’d spent hours contemplating it, and finally he figured out the answer. It’s because they were alone. Just like she’d pointed out. He’d never spent any alone time with her, especially not when she was technically a single, unmated woman. Fact is, after thinking about it, he wasn’t the most comfortable around her. Now that she was single. It meant...possibilities.
It meant...he’d have to tell her about himself.
He gave a vicious shake of his head. Muscles in his back ached and no amount of massaging could help him. Fuck. He hadn’t slept at all. Hadn’t even gone to bed. He’d gone out and killed a rabbit for them. A part of him wanted to get on his knees and hold that kill out to her. Not saying a word, simply showing her.
Here! This is what I did for you.
Would she forgive him for being fucked up?
He was caught between a rock and a hard place. With no place to turn or hide. He’d have to eat his words and sack up like a man.
He’d hesitated long enough. Alex walked over to her sleeping form and somewhat gently, prodded her with his boot. No movement. He didn’t it again--only harder. Still nothing but a sweet, sleepy murmur. Eye twitching, Alex ground his teeth as sat down on his haunches.
“Hanna?” He shook her shoulder gently. He didn’t want to scare her to death.
He tried again, louder. Still nothing.
For some reason, he didn’t entirely know why, Alex rolled her onto her back. A tiny shove on her shoulder and she went, head listlessly moving to the side. The pretty princess. It felt wrong to look upon her in sleep, so he didn’t gentle his voice. “Hanna!”
She shot awake. Too quickly to react, she bolted upright sending her skull cracking into his. Flinching, he caught his nose and the stray drops of blood coming out just as Hanna winced and grabbed her forehead.
He backed up and they watched each other, each holding their respective wounds. After a moment, her eyes softened and she chuckled.
“What happened?”
His voice was hoarse...for a multitude of reasons...one of those being how she made him feel when she looked at him like that. With happy, glowing eyes not clouded with anger or frustration. It was an incredible thing to experience the power of Hanna MacKellen.
“Tried to wake you up. We gotta leave soon. I’ve got some breakfast prepared.”
She sniffed and looked around. “You cooked?”
He looked away, feeling a strange warmth growing on his face. Was he blushing? Hell no, unacceptable.
“I guess.”
Tossing back the cover, she stood, stretching her muscles. He looked away, busying himself and wishing he hadn’t already prepared everything, so he’d have more to do with his hands.
“You guess?” She eyed the fresh kill he’d roasted. “Is that from what you caught last night?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright. So what’s on the agenda for today?” She got dressed and grabbed some of the rabbit he’d cooked.
“According to the map, there should be a town east of here called Chattreilles. We’ll go there and find a phone to call Gavin.”
“Thank god. He should be able to send help and possibly even get us a ride home.” Her eyes glowed with excitement at the ‘probably’.
Alex nodded but he doubted such an ideal situation would happen. “I’m also going to spot a vehicle.”
She slowed her chewing. “What does that mean?”
A shrug.
“Alex, what does that mean?” she insisted.
Alex sighed. “Checking out a car to possible steal. That’s what it means.”
“That’s illegal you know.” A quirky smile sat on her lips, teasing him. At least she’d appeared to let go of last night’s conversation.
“Yeah, well, I’ve done a lot of illegal things.”
Her eyes lit up. “Such as?”
“We broke into that sporting goods store didn’t we? You can chalk that one up.”
“True enough.” She changed out of her pajamas and into her snow camo. “I guess that makes me a criminal.”
“To say the least,” he replied dryly.
She laughed and another notch was released in his belt allowing him to further relax. Thank god, he just wanted their relationship (whatever that might be) to be back on solid ground. No more fighting. He couldn’t stand it.
After Hanna announced she was ready, Alex grabbed his pack which housed his gun, some spare rabbit and other supplies, and then they headed out.
Fresh packed snow hindered their footsteps. He had to really shove the front door to open it from the four-plus feet of snow that had housed them in.
Hanna ran out into the snow, laughing. “Look at all this! It’s beautiful. Don’t you think?”
He shrugged. He thought it was dangerous.
“Come on! Don’t be such a stiff. You can have a little fun, can’t you? Or is that against your code too
?”
Alex mumbled something as he passed her. Hanna ran up beside him, a surprising amount of energy in her step as she smiled at him.
“Are you gonna be weird?”
He tripped, boot caught awkwardly and nearly face-planted in the snow. “Huh?” He grumbled, swiping snow off his chest.
“Weird. Are you going to act weird? You know, as in acting strange after our unusual discussion last night? ‘Cause I’m ready to forget about it if you are. Like I said I really don’t care anymore.” Her sincere smile nearly caused inner pain.
She was ready to forget about him?
He blanched at her words. Did that mean she was writing him off? Why did that thought severely piss him off?
“Fine. Whatever.” He grumbled unhappily and off they went.
Using the map they’d stolen, they headed east. The crisp morning air and stiff winds made clouds of their breath and turned their cheeks red and dry. They reached the edge of a town hours later. Before entering, they stopped to eat the rabbit he’d brought, feeling ravenous. Walking through heavy snow took a toll on his legs, forcing him to plough through each step. He only imagined what Hanna must be feeling.
They moved into the town. A small area no bigger than a village. The main thoroughfare was paved but new snow already covered the roads. The signs were all in French. He couldn’t reach French.
“Do you speak French by chance?”
Hanna nibbled her lip worriedly. “Not even a little to be perfectly honest.”
“We’ll have to do our best then.”
The village looked old, buildings showing their age, most of them made of brick. They walked to the first side street and found a petrol station. Perfect. They crossed the road and entered the building feeling a blast of heat.
A few people were inside, local humans, whose questioning eyes could spell trouble. These people were instantly mistrustful, likely around these parts everybody knew everybody.
Alex nodded to them, then grabbed Hanna’s gloved hand and pulled her down a candy aisle. Rows of supplies from junk food to car oil lined the shelves. The smell of roasting hot dogs from a rotisserie filled his nostrils. He walked swiftly past the bathrooms, before he found the payphones.
Hanna spoke before he could. “We have no money.”
Alex was already looking around, making plans. “I know.”
“So what next?” She picked up the phone limply and hung it back up.
“Stay here.”
She protested, but he disappeared. The petrol station was half store, half restaurant. A dingy restaurant that had old carpeted floors that looked a permanent shade of brown from years of spilled soda. The booths were vinyl with torn seats; they looked sticky upon further inspection. The food smelled oily and fried.
A heavy-set woman with graying hair and a stained apron watched him with a hawk’s eye as he walked through the restaurant. He sent her a friendly nod. Nothing to see here.
Roughly seven minutes later, Alex returned.
“Where have you been? Two men have approached me asking if I need help.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Help from what?”
“From you. They were asking me if I was “okay with that fella” kind of stuff.”
Irritated at that, Alex shook his head. “You’re safer with me than without.”
Hanna agreed, blushing. Alex shook his head again, as if that could keep him from feeling a rush of warmth at her glowing response. Damn it.
He made the call. Finally.
“How’d you get money?” she asked as he put the phone piece to his ear.
“Found it.”
“How much did you ‘happen to find’?” She made air quotes with her fingers to accent her point.
He shrugged. “Enough.”
“Mmhmm. Thief,” she muttered. “You’re a criminal. What won’t you do? Oh, that’s right, talk to me about important stuff.”
Alex tuned out just in time. The phone line clicked. His heart skipped a beat as his body tensed.
“Yeah? Who is this?”
He recognized the sound of that face. The gruffly textured bass, and in his mind he clearly conjured up an image of the scarred alpha. Likely still in bed next to his mate.
“Alex. I’ve got Hanna with me.”
He could practically feel the sudden change over the line. Gavin MacKellen roared to attention. “Alex?!”
“Here’s Hanna.” He swiftly handed the phone over. She took it, shouldering him out of the way when he didn’t move quickly enough.
Her voice was soft and innocent, like a child’s. Not even close to the tone she took with him. His princess. A faint grin crossed his mouth just thinking about it.
“Gavin? It’s me. Hanna. I’m okay.”
Alex stepped away so she could talk to her older brother. The connection was instantaneous as she spoke to them, speaking rapidly, softly, her eyes tearing up. Alex couldn’t look away, not even if he wanted to. He was stuck watching the play of emotions across her face. He didn’t know why: perhaps because he was learning them, perhaps he was interested in them, or perhaps he was only kidding himself. A few minutes passed.
“Here,” she handed the phone to him. “He wants to speak with you.”
Alex took the handset. “Yeah?”
“As I’ve told her, I’ll take care of Xavier Carbon. But he’s closer to you than I am. Be careful and watch your backs. I’m sending a team straight away. It’ll be, roughly,” Gavin paused, “thirty-three hours until they arrive. Do you have any safe coordinates we could pick you up at?”
Alex relayed what he knew.
“Pick a location just outside of town,” Gavin suggested.
Alex opened his map and selected an ideal location. He relayed the coordinates.
“Thirty-three hours from now, we’ll meet you there. Barring any trouble,” Alex said.
“About that.” Gavin took a deep breath. “You’ve been doing a great job of keeping Hanna safe. Keep it up, Alex. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I promise there will be big changes for you once you return home.”
“If,” he corrected.
Gavin growled. “There is no if about it. You’ll do it because you’re damned good at staying alive. You already have been. One last thing. Tell Hanna we got Jo back.”
That surprised him. “I didn’t know he was missing.”
Hanna sent him a startled look.
“Yeah, he disappeared from the Gerioux pack. Lysette claims to know nothing about it, she says she thought he’d gone home willingly. Yeah, well he showed up here hurt, naked, and nearly out of his mind. Needle marks on his neck. Dozens of them. God knows what they did to him. Listen, don’t tell Hanna any of that shit, but tell her he’s safe and home.”
“Right.” Alex said goodbye and hung up.
He’d wait until they were alone to divest the news to Hanna.
“Let’s eat some real food.” Grabbing Hanna’s hand, he took them into the restaurant. They ordered food from the waitress who still didn’t seem to like them. Her eyes were reproachful...watchful. Alex didn’t care for it. Eating quickly, they drank glasses of water and a cup of coffee for a caffeine rush. Hanna was bouncing in her seat by time they stood and headed out back through the petrol mart.
“You even left a tip,” Hanna whispered. “Where’d you get that money?”
“Some things you don’t need to know, princess.” For instance that he’d broken into the most expensive car outside and found the fifty dollars stashed inside. He’d also learned the habits of rich folk during his life--just another minor difference in their upbringing--he could steal cars and break into buildings--Hanna could calculate taxes for a large corporation. Differences, differences.
On their way out, a crowd had gathered around the cashier, buzz in the air. Four burly men with snowcaps on stood around on wet mats where snow had melted. They watched a television screen mounted on the wall where a young news reporter was in the midst of a breaking report. The scath
ing topic: the murder of two businessmen, owners of a local sporting goods store. The same one Hanna and Alex had stayed at.
Alex froze as the news reporter showed a composite sketch of his and Hanna’s face drawn in pencil. They were wanted for the murder of the two storeowners. Murders they hadn’t committed.
Her hands squeezed his. He held on to her trying to give her some reassurance.
“If anyone has seen or heard of these two suspects please call 9-1-1. Remember these suspects are considered armed and dangerous,” read the English subtitles below the news anchor.
Hanna took a step back. But it was too late. Almost at once, the four men turned around to get a look at them. As if in a showdown, time slowed to a snail’s pace. Recognition lit the men’s eyes. Not good.
“Hey, you stay right there!”
The man had more to say but Alex didn’t wait around to hear it. He tugged on Hanna’s hand and bolted out the door, letting it slam shut in their wake.
They ran as fast as they could, falling into the forest and losing the humans quickly. They were faster, stronger than humans were.
Alex wouldn’t let Hanna know just how bad this shook him. Their faces were all over the news. For murders they hadn’t committed. Xavier was playing a deadly game. If they weren’t careful, they’d wind up dead, for real.
How could he keep Hanna safe so she could go back to having any semblance of a normal life? The more questions he asked, the more they came. And each of them had an unsatisfying answer that he didn’t want to consider.
The walls were closing in, suffocating them little by little, and Alex didn’t know if he could keep their heads above water before the tidal wave struck.
* * * * *
Fire crackled in the hearth. Popping, tinny explosions of oxygen, mesmerizing to the eye, twisting flames of sun fire. The logs beneath, some so charred they burned white as snow, smoldered like red amber gems over coal.
Hanna hadn’t spoken much since returning to the cabin. After seeing her and Alex’s faces plastered all over the news, she’d been in a stunned stupor.