The quiet road intersected with a county road that led into a large town.  I’d managed to catch up and was a block behind the car when it suddenly braked and pulled to a stop in front of a department store.  I slowed the bike, keeping my distance as I watched Bethony emerged from the back.  My gaze swept over her greedily.  She looked tired, but otherwise unharmed.

Before she could finish closing the door, the car started to pull away.  Bethony shook her head then shouldered her bag and started off down the sidewalk.  Normal.  Unhurt.

Exhaling a shaky, relieved breath, I lifted my feet and eased the bike into the department store’s parking lot.  As soon as I killed the engine, I pocketed the key and took off at a jog.  Tracking her scent, I followed her to a sub shop.  She’d already ordered food and was sitting at a booth.  Through the windows, I watched her take a large bite out of her sandwich.  The way she barely chewed before taking another bite brought back memories of days I’d gone hungry.  She needed to eat more often.  She needed a bloody keeper.  She didn’t sleep, didn’t eat, got into cars with strangers… I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.  She needed me.

Since the place was busy but not overly crowded, I went inside.

“I’ll have whatever that dark haired girl ordered,” I said, nodding toward Bethony.

The girl at the cash register quickly rang up the sub and handed me a receipt with a number.  As soon as the sub was finished and my number called, I took the food to Bethony’s table.

She was so focused on eating the last bits that had fallen to the sub paper, she jumped when I slid into the booth opposite of her.  I pushed the new sub across the table and studied her for any signs of abuse.  She looked just like she had under the bridge.  Though I was relieved they hadn’t done anything to her, I was still wondering why they’d pulled over and made her get out in the first place.

“Did they take your money?” I asked.  I couldn’t think of anything else.

She glanced around the seating area then met my gaze again.  Suspicion and the overhead lights had her eyes looking violet again.  They were the most mesmerizing eyes I’d ever seen.

“What are you talking about?”

“The car pulled over halfway here, and you all stood on the side of the road.  Why?”  I leaned forward.  “Did they hurt you?”

Her face flushed red.

“Why are you doing this?”

I knew what she meant but didn’t understand why she had to ask.  Why else would I be following her?

“Because I want to help you.”  I reached for her hand, but she jerked back.

Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth puckered as if she’d just eaten something unpleasant.

“If you want to help me, die.”

Okay…I withdrew my hand.  “You are very hostile for someone your age.”

She snorted.  “Just how many teenagers do you know?” 

The reminder of her age just made me angry about everything she’d endured since seeing her, the things that happened to her before we’d met, and the future she’d likely face once my kind knew she existed.  No, not just angry.  I felt powerless too.  And, I would remain powerless unless I won her over.  The Elders would leave her alone if she showed a preference.  Since they were letting Clay and Gabby have an extended courtship, I wasn’t worried the Elders would try to rush things.  I’d look out for her and wait for her.

“Perhaps we started off poorly.  I’m Luke Taylor.  My friend, Gabby, sent me to find you.  She thinks you may have something in common with her.”

Bethony’s gaze dropped to the table as the scent of her pity drifted around us.

“How is she?” she asked softly.

Probably well Mated and blissfully happy by now.  But I didn’t want to scare Bethony with those thoughts.

“Last time I saw her, she was weak but recovering.”  I nudged the sub toward her again.  “Eat.  You’re too thin, and you’ll need your strength.”  The Compound was a healthy distance away yet.

Something I’d said caused Bethony to curl her hands into claws on the table top.  Her mouth opened in a silent growl, something humans usually didn’t do.  The sight and smell of her rage had me turning slightly in my seat.  I didn’t know where her feet were under the table.

“You son of a—”

I quickly reached over and clapped a hand over her mouth.  We weren’t in the woods or under a bridge anymore.  And, just over her shoulder, a tiny innocent female watched us.

“Hush,” I said when I felt her inhale to speak. “The decisions you make and the words you speak influence the people around you.  Be aware of your influence.”  It was something my mother had drilled into me.  That and bathing.

Bethony scowled, clearly clueless what I meant.

“There is an adorable little girl just behind you.  She can’t be more than two.”

Bethony pulled her head back, freeing her mouth, and turned to look behind her at the tot who was standing on her chair to watch us.  Since my presence did nothing but upset my unwilling ward, I set my phone on the table and quietly left while Bethony was distracted.

Through the window, I watched her turn and find me gone.  The angry scowl lifted until she spotted the phone with Gabby’s number on the display.  She didn’t move to take it.  She did, however, take the food and stowed it in her bag, before she got up and left.

Moving back from the door, I watched her step onto the sidewalk and head downtown.  At least she was on foot and would be easier to track.

Sighing, I went inside to retrieve the phone then went after her.  She was quick to anger and even quicker to run.  It would take an excessive amount of patience to win her over.  Was it worth it?  I inhaled slowly.  Her scent filled my lungs, tugging at my gut.  It was very worth it.

Following her slow walk through the city center, I wondered what life would be like with a Mate.  Sure, I’d thought about it before in an abstract sense and had even saved funds for such a time.  But the funds were nearly gone, and the girl that instinct told me was mine could barely look at me without wanting to kick my personables.  Our interactions were far from the ideal romance I’d assumed we’d have.  But, that didn’t bother me.  At her age, anger and aggression along with other emotional mood swings were very normal.  Or, at least, that was what I’d heard.  As she aged, things would change.  I hoped.

She abruptly stopped walking and seemed to notice the people around her.  I stopped too and looked around.  The crowded city center bustled with professionals out for a quick bite at artsy delis lining the streets.  Nothing out of the ordinary for the size of the city.  I turned back to watch Bethony just in time.  She smiled.  A true smile that stole my breath and made me wish it were directed at me.

Just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared, and she started walking again, this time her stride purposeful.  Keeping my distance, I trailed her to the train station and listened to her talk to the ticketing agent.

“If I bought a ticket to the west coast, are there stops on the way where I can get off?”

“There are stops to pick up passengers, but the train won’t stay long enough for you to depart and sightsee.”

“I understand.  But I could get off at any of the stops along the way, right?”

“If you don’t plan on reboarding, yes.”

“Great.  Then, I guess I do have time for a train.”

The lyric quote wasn’t lost on me.  Neither were her questions.  She was buying a ticket to the west coast but was considering leaving the train before her final destination.  Was that why she’d smiled?  She planned on trying to lose me again?

“Here you go.  Train forty-seven departs in three hours and forty-five minutes.”

“Thanks.”

Before Bethony accepted the tickets, I moved away, blending with the people who milled around.  The tickets disappeared into her bag, and I watched her walk to a bench.  Her expression seemed entirely too confident as she sat.  Why did she keep thinking running from me was a safer option than accepting my help?

I waited several minutes to see what she would do.  She didn’t talk to anyone or move more than her knee, which she bounced too energetically given her periodic yawns.

My lack of sleep had me yawning in return while I wondered what to do.  If I ditched the bike to board the train, I’d be in a fair amount of trouble.  Borrowing would be forgiven.  Stealing would not.  Also, staying inconspicuous on a train would be an issue.  Without a doubt, she would see me eventually, and given her reactions up to this point, I didn’t want to try another public discussion so soon after the last failed attempt.  The other option was to follow the train’s route with the bike and check every stop.  I worried she wouldn’t be safe enough on a train by herself, though.  And if she did leave the train before her ticketed destination, how long would she be on her own before I caught up to her?

Rubbing my gritty eyes, I settled on following her with the bike.  With a bit of luck, she wouldn’t make me chase her for too long.  Hoping she’d be all right on her own for a while, I left to get the bike.  People glanced at me as I ran by at an impressive, yet human, speed.  The machine started with a growl, and I eased from the lot.

Driving as quickly as traffic would allow, I made it to the station a few minutes later and parked.  My heart raced as I jogged back to where I’d last seen her.  Worry ate at me until I saw her. She was still where I left her, but a bit more slumped in her seat.

An older man sat on a bench near hers and seemed to be watching over her as she dozed.  I walked over.

“Thanks for keeping an eye on her,” I said, as I sat beside her.

“It’s not the best place for a nap.”  His voice didn’t hold censure, only concern as he nodded his grey head at a group of men at the far end of the station.  My gaze followed his and locked with one of the men.  After a moment, the man looked away in apparent disinterest.

“No.  It’s not,” I agreed.  “She hasn’t been sleeping well, though.”

She moaned in her sleep, proving my words true.  I pulled her close so her head rested on my shoulder.  She nestled in and quieted.

“I never sleep well before I travel.  Too many what-if’s running through my head,” the man said.

“Yeah.  The unknowns can rob you of the moment if you let them.”

“Very true.  Where you two headed?”

“She’s headed to the west coast.”  I opened her bag and tucked a few more folded bills next to her tickets.

“Alone?” the man eyed Bethony again, probably guessing her age.

“Unfortunately.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her for you.”

“Thank you.”  His promise gave me a small measure of ease.  She’d have someone looking after her while she rode the train, but what would happen when she departed?  I’d just need to be there at each stop.  The bike went fast.  It shouldn’t be a problem.

Just before the train was due, I eased her off my arm.

“Thanks again for looking out for her.”

“You’re not staying till she boards?”

“I can’t, but wish you both safe travels,” I said, standing.

“You too, friend.”

As I walked away, the train approached the station, its brakes emitting a high pitched squeal.  I turned to watch Bethony and the older man board.  I hoped she’d stay safe.  While I waited for the train to depart, I got the list of scheduled stops.

Several hours later, I realized my mistake as I pulled up to the first stop the train was scheduled to make.  I was almost an hour behind the train.  Traffic and roads that tended to meander had slowed me down.

Getting off the bike, I walked the station, checking for Bethony’s scent.  The crisscrossing flood of smells slowed me down further as I meticulously filtered through them.  After a thorough search, I got back on the road confident she’d continued on.

However, at each stop, I fell further behind the train, and when it came to finding a scent trail, time was my enemy.  My worry started to climb at the third stop when I scented werewolf.  I combed the area twice for her scent but found nothing.

With a new sense of urgency, I pushed on through the night.

*    *    *    *

I parked the bike and stretched my shoulders, trying to relieve the tension.  My eyes felt gritty, but riding all night wasn’t what bothered me.  The worry did.  Walking in the direction of the station, I inhaled deeply, searching for her scent.  I wasn’t expecting it when I found it.

Stopping, I inhaled again to pinpoint the direction.  The station was at the head of a busy T intersection.  Traffic flowed by, polluting her trail, but not as badly as it could have if I’d arrived after rush hour.  Turning, I eyed the road behind me.  The sidewalk ran along the parking area toward a district with restaurants, hotels, and other attractions.

It would make sense for her to go that way.  I walked several blocks to make sure and caught her scent frequently.

In front of a hotel, her scent grew stronger.  I approached the doors.  Yep, she’d been there.

Going inside, I ignored the front desk man and followed the trail up the stairs and to a door.  I knocked and waited several minutes, but she didn’t answer.

I went back down to the lobby.

“Good morning.  Can you ring room two-oh-four for me, please?”

The man looked down at his computer.

“Who are you trying to reach?”

“Dee,” I said, giving her fake name.  “Tell her Luke is here.”

I knew I was taking a risk.  There were a hundred ways this could go wrong.  She might tell the man to call the police.  Or the call might cause her to run again.  However, considering she was underage and using false identification to procure a room, I doubted she’d care for police involvement.  And, as for her running, I was becoming rather used to following her.

“I’m sorry, sir.  That room is empty.”

“You must be mistaken.  She said she would be here.”

“She was, but she checked out already.”

I barely refrained from swearing as I turned from the desk.  Of the things that could have gone wrong, this is what I’d feared most.  Where had she gone and was she safe?  Outside the door, I paced left than right, trying to pick up her scent.  Taking the right, I continued down the sidewalk and hoped I was following the right trail.  The track led me right to another bus stop in a rather disreputable area. 

Jaw clenched, I read the posted bus stops then hurried back to my bike.

It took several hours to pick up her trail again.  And when I did, it was at a gas station in a small town.  The bus had stopped there and Bethony had departed.  But in which direction?  Panic gripped me.  She’d gotten into one strange car already.  How would I track her now?

I ignored the man at the pump and paced near the road, trying to decide how to handle the situation.  A tease of cinnamon slowed me before I strode along the shoulder.  Inhaling her scent, I growled.  She’d taken off on foot, heading out of town.  It was freezing outside, and all she had was the hoodie I’d given her.

Unsure which was worse, hitch-hiking or walking with inadequate covering, I jogged back to the bike.

Whether she liked it or not, when I caught up with her, I was sticking with her.  She obviously couldn’t fend for herself.