Becky POV:
I woke up in the middle of the night. The sound of the door clicking jolted me up. For a heartbeat I thought it was part of the mirror vision, the blood, the red moon, but the cold air against my face told me this was real.
Pushing myself up, I dragged my feet, slowly walking out of the room, careful not to wake my mom. My claws slid out on their own, sharp and eager, waiting to strike.
The living room door was slightly ajar. A shadow moved behind it.
"Who's there?!" my voice low. No reply, only the shadow that stepped further into the living room. I lunged at him, ready to strike.
"I found you," the man said, grabbing my hand before I could strike, like he knew all my moves.
The light flickered on. The masked man, standing right in front of me. My face turning sour."You!!" The words tore out of me in a hiss. "What do you want?"
"Come with me to Atlas City," he said. "You're not safe here."
My face tightens into a frown, and I bare my teeth, a growl rattling my throat, claws still out. "What do you mean, and why does it concern you?"
"You should know what's good for you." He gave a low chuckle . "Do you think after trying to assassinate their Alpha they wouldn't trace you or send people after you?" My heart stopped. I whisper "W-why? I'm no longer a threat" .
"Come with me; I would protect you," he said grip still firm on my hand.
"I won't," I snarled, jerking free. "I'll protect myself, leave my house, and never come back."
Shoving him towards the door" I said, Leave." He stood there a moment longer, silent, then gave a slow nod.
"As you wish," he murmured, turning.
I walked him out, every muscle in my body tight, watching as he disappeared into the night. Only when the street swallowed him did I let my claws slide back in.
My pulse was still hammering. If he could find me this easily… then so could the others.
We had to leave this place. Tonight. Before anyone else came.
I locked the door, grabbed my phone scrolling to the only person I could trust, Nurse Sarah, dialing her number.
"Please pick up!!" I paced around the room.
The line clicked. "Becky?" Nurse Sarah's sleepy voice.
"I'm so sorry for calling this late," I whispered, glancing towards my mum's room. "Please, can you accommodate us tonight? We're not safe here."
"Becky, what's the matter?" she asks, her voice now clear.
"When we get there, I'll explain everything to you," I replied.
The other end of the line went quiet for a second. "Pack a bag. I'll text you the address."
"Thank you," I replied, feeling relief. I ended the call, shoved the phone into my pocket, and went straight to my mother's room. "Mum," I whispered, touching her shoulder. "Wake up. We have to go."
Her eyelids fluttered. "Becky? What's happening?"
"We can't stay here." I whispered, trying to keep my calm. "Please trust me."
I helped her sit up and put on a sweater. Her fingers trembled while buttoning it. I hated seeing her this way; once she'd been so strong, now even small movements seemed to shake her.
"Where will we go at this hour?" she asked quietly.
"To Sarah's," I said, my throat tight. "She'll keep us for the night. I can't explain everything now."
She gave a small, regretful sigh but didn't question me again. That alone scared me more than any masked man. My mother had always been curious and unafraid, but tonight she just obeyed.
I grabbed the old bag from under the bed and stuffed in her pills, some clothes, and my phone charger.
My claws kept flicking out with every jolt of panic; I had to force them back, careful for her not to notice the strangeness in me. I hated this cursed half-blood power. It had made me a target and could put her in danger. "Mum, where is the car key?" I asked.
Her eyebrows furrowed. I knew she didn't like that idea, but after some seconds she replied, "Inside the drawer over there."
I have never driven a car before, but tonight I had to. This was the car my mom had been driving when we arrived here before the sickness weighed her down.
When we stepped outside, the night air was cold enough to sting. Helping her to the car, it was dusty opening the door. I helped her in, tucking the seatbelt. "Do you think it'll even start?" she asked, her voice thin, almost defeated.
"Let's find out." I replied.
It was going to be a long ride starting the engine. I was going to mirror what I've seen my mom drive and from movies I watched.
After the second kick, the engine roared as I drove out into the streets, legs hovering on the brake, ready to hit it. But my senses heightened, and I drove, maneuvering like I was a pro, and this was reflex. I stared at the thin frame of my mom through the mirror, making my heart clench.
As we rolled down the empty street, I felt her eyes on me. "Becky," she said softly, "there's something I've been meaning to tell you…"
I tightened my grip on the wheel. "Not now, Mum. Please. Save it for when we're safe."
She closed her mouth and looked out the window. We drove in silence.
Not quite long, my nerves stood on alert, and goosebumps filled my body. My eyes scanned the night. Was someone watching us? I looked through the rear, but no car was in sight. My legs pressed on the gas pedal, speeding up until we arrived at Sarah's place.
I breathed out, "We are here; we made it," my hands. Trembling.
"Sarah! It's Becky," I called out, knocking on the door.
After some time, the door clicked open. "Inside quickly," she murmured.
I helped Mum get inside, slamming the door behind me and leaning against it for a heartbeat. My lungs burned like I'd been running for miles.
Sarah shut the bolt. "You're shaking."
"I know." I swallowed, looking around her small sitting room. Everything here was safe for tonight. "Thank you for letting us in."
Mum sat down heavily on the couch, still clutching her handbag like a lifeline. "Becky," she said softly, "what's going on?"
I dropped to my knees in front of her and took her hands. "Just rest for now, Mum. I'll tell you everything, I promise. We're safe here. For tonight."
But even as I said it, my ears strained toward the window. And my claws are ready for any surprise.
_ _ _
Drey POV
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her walking out of the cell, drenched in rain, eyes full of fury at me.
My wolf wouldn't let me rest; he called me a bad person. I wondered if she was okay. Always getting into trouble.
"The men sent to follow her said she boarded a train; she's left," Anita's voice jolted me from my thoughts.
My face turned cold. "I don't care about your excuses," I snapped. "Find out where she went. Now."
After leaving my room, I was about to lie down when Sense shot up. The moment I turned, an arrow narrowly missed my side; paper was tied to it. My claws shot out, ready for action, but the scent of the intruder was gone. Whoever had shot it was so skilled.
I yanked the paper and tore it open.
There it was, a handwritten message: "If you want to save her, you must leave for New York on the next train and come alone."
My heart slammed, my wolf cried out, "You can't even protect a woman!"
"She is not like other women," I shunned my agitated wolf. Even now she wouldn't want anything to do with me.
How could I protect such a person? I didn't think. I started throwing things into a bag. Spare clothes, knives, and a gun. Although it was a taboo for werewolves to fight with gun such was seen as cowardice, but I needed it now.
My wolf howled behind my ribs, urging me faster.
The door creaked. Anita stepped in, seeing me pack in a hurry, her eyes widened in shock. "Alpha? What's happened?"
"Nothing you need to know," I snapped, shoving another blade into the bag.
Her gaze flicked to the arrow lying on the desk. Before I could stop her, she crossed the room. Her hand grabbing the paper. "What's this?"
I snatched it from her hand, crumpling the paper under my fist. "I said it's none of your business." My voice came out as a low growl that made her flinch.
"Is this about Becky again?" she pressed, lips curling.
"Why risk everything for her? She's not worth it."
"Out."
Anita blinked at the ice in my tone.
"Get out, Anita." My eyes burned gold now, claws cutting into my palm. "Right now."
Her mouth tightened, but she stepped back, bowing slightly before slipping out of the room.
- - -
"Boss he took the bait…"