I lost her scent but picked it up again at a gas station.  From there, Bethi had taken off on foot.  Déjà vu gripped me as I eyed the road ahead.  She really needed to stop doing this.  I eased the bike forward, determined to find her.

Driving slowly, I followed her trail along a country road.  With each mile, her scent grew stronger, and I knew I was finally getting close.

I’d managed about seven miles when I caught a scent that made my hackles raise.  Pulling off the road, I killed the engine and inhaled deeply.  I got off the bike and continued to test the air.  Bethi had walked the right shoulder.  Three mutts had come from the woods on the left.

I paced forward, letting the scents lead me.  All four of them had entered the woods to the right.

Stepping off the shoulder, between the trunks of barren trees, I looked for signs of their passing.  Paws had churned up fallen leaves and left a few prints in the damp earth.  In several more places, I found indents left by Bethi’s shoes.  They were spaced a considerable distance apart.  She’d been running hard.  Her fear still lingered in the air.  Claw marks scored the bark of the tree to my right, and a greater sense of unease filled me.  Unmated males didn’t purposely frighten available females.  Especially compatible human females.  My canines lengthened as did my stride.

She had better be safe.

I tried not to think of what might have happened as I silently ran between the trees.  Her scent grew stronger and more terrified in places she’d fallen or touched trees or branches.  She had to be close.

Not a moment later, a faint sound reached me, and I slowed to pinpoint it.  Ahead, in the direction of her trail.  A man’s voice.  I picked up speed.

As I ran, the indistinct words soon became clear.

“Mercy is for the weak.”

Bethi’s voice rang in the air.  “No.  Mercy is for anyone with a big enough vocabulary to—”

Any relief I’d felt hearing her voice died at the sound of something hitting the ground.  Fear for her safety pierced me.  My heart raced as I caught sight of movement through the trunks and bramble.

Three mutts crouched, barely holding the change between forms.  Beyond them, I watched Bethi stand and face them.  Red stained the front of her shirt.  No, I thought in denial as I crept forward.  They wouldn’t…

I inhaled, and the scent of her blood enraged me.  My vision changed slightly as I allowed my control to slip a little further.  They would pay for hurting her, and I would need my claws and teeth to collect my due.

“Stupid.”  Bethi’s voice was strong and sure.

Before the lead mutt could move, I leapt at the one to the left, knocking him into a tree.  The second one was on my back immediately.  Ignoring him, I sunk my teeth into the man’s exposed throat before the shift could fully take him.  Blood poured into my mouth, and I twisted away, pulling the flesh.  His breath gurgled from the hole I left.

Twisting, I shook the second one off my back.

“Stupid and slow.  A bad combination in a fight,” Bethi said behind me.

Knowing the last mutt was focused on her, I used the claws of my half transformed hand to open the underbelly of the second wolf.  He fell to the ground with a yowl.  I felt no remorse.  These weren’t challengers.  They’d hurt Bethi, a potential mate.

When I turned, I saw Bethi holding her knife to her own throat.  Her complete calm accentuated the resigned look in her eyes.  Bethi’s words came back to me.  The knife gives me a tiny bit of power over my fate. My world stopped as I realized what she meant to do.

I reached out, sinking my claws into the mutt’s back and pulled.  Off balance, he fell toward me, and I gripped his throat in between my hands.

Bethi’s wide eyes remained focused on the mutt.  I turned, putting my back to her so she wouldn’t see me break his miserable neck.  His limbs twitched then he stilled.

In the silence, I heard more coming.

The drum of feet on the ground as they raced toward us worried me.  There were too many.  Too many to continue to believe these were challengers.  Too many to defeat at one time.  Too many to keep from Bethi.  But I would try, or I would die.

I tossed the mutt aside and backed toward Bethi, shielding her with the only thing I had, myself.

She set her forehead against my back and slowly inhaled.  Her fear and desolation wrapped around me.  I wanted to comfort her, to wrap her in my arms, but there wasn’t time.  The sounds grew louder.  Branches snapped.  A howl rent the air.

Within the depth of her despair, a new tendril of scent tickled my nose.  Affection.

“I will hold the memory of you in my heart forever,” she said.  Then she straightened away from me.  I was torn between wanting her to run and wanting her to stay close.  Which was safer?  I didn’t know.  Before I could say anything, the mutts arrived.

Like a wave, they washed over the light underbrush, their numbers overwhelming the space we’d taken between the trees.  Using my claws, I gutted the first wolf who jumped at me.  His scream cut through the growls of his closest companions as they cleared the brush.

I didn’t stop moving.  Reaching for the next wolf to sail overhead, I grabbed his muzzle and lower jaw and pulled hard.  Before the crunch of bone rang out, I’d already moved to the following wolf.  Sweeping my claws wide, I ripped through his side and throat and caught the ribs on the wolf next to him.  Blood coated my hands and smeared across the next mutt’s fur as I twisted its head.

With each body that fell, a new mutt filled its place.  I moved fast, even for my kind.  I had to.  The scent of Bethi’s blood remained a constant reminder of what would happen if I let any of them through.

Suddenly, Bethi moved behind me with focused attention.  I wanted to look but couldn’t stop my fight.  The consequence was too great.

One of the mutts pushing to get to me, moved to the side.  Skirting his group, he made his way around the main mass to reach Bethi.  More followed him, and I growled low, my control slipping further.

“Focus on your side,” she said before I could do anything about them.

Behind me, a wolf hissed and grunted.  She had her knife and was using it for the right purpose, finally.  I felt her start to move faster, fighting back those who thought to go around me.

Adrenaline surged within me at her show of courage.  I swung my arms harder, clawing through my opponents in a blur.  Blood slicked my arms and chest.  Some my own, but most not.  Mutts fell under my assault, and the ground turned red.

Panting, I looked for the next opponent and found none before me.  However, I heard more behind me.  Turning, I found Bethi crouched and lashing out with her blade to keep them at bay.

One managed to catch her arm and pull her forward, not yet noticing me.  His eager focus remained on Bethi’s face.  His scent gave away just what he had in mind.

Jealous rage consumed me.  I pushed Bethi into his chest, hiding her face, then reached forward and sunk my claws into his neck.  With an upward heave, I separated head from body.  The brainless corpse went slack and fell away from Bethi as the remaining men who had been focused on her converged on me.

Good.  Even in my human skin, I could take their claws.  Bethi couldn’t.

Because they’d worked their way into the clearing, I no longer had the advantage of tight space to force one on one.  They knew it, too.  With angry snarls pulling their muzzles, they launched themselves at me.

The impact of three bodies colliding with mine almost brought me to my knees.  I struggled and planted my feet.  We shuffled against each other, too close to see or effectively strike.

A fist drove into my thigh. Another pounded into my stomach.  Then teeth sank into my neck.  I blindly lashed out in front of me, scoring one who’d hit me.  Winning some space, I reached across my stomach to jab into the soft gut of the biter.  He grunted.  A fist crashed into my jaw, making me echo his grunt.

I reached out again.  This time I managed to grab a head.  I forcefully twisted it until I heard popping and the man went slack.  Another stepped forward to take his place and more bodies attempted to weigh me down.  I couldn’t tell how many.  I continued to fight.  There was no other option.

They were smart and tried to hold my arms.  But, when they managed to pin one, I used my teeth and my free claws to rip into anything I could.

The sadist still locked onto my neck suddenly jerked then started to yowl in pain.  Bethi’s scent wrapped around me.  I knew she was doing something but didn’t look.  Instead, I continued to fight the men before me.  Suddenly, the teeth left my neck.

I struggled harder, knowing one of them was now facing her.  Each body that fell away was one less attacker to hurt her.  Blood filled my mouth and clouded my eyes.  Rage and determination had such a hold on me that when I swung out and met nothing but air, it took a moment to realize no one was near me.  Bodies lay in a loose circle around my legs.

I turned to Bethi.  The one who’d had my neck stood before her on weak legs.

I grabbed the man by the shoulder, turned him, then ripped my claws up his middle from groin to throat.  Blood bathed me, wetting my face and shirt, but it didn’t bother me like the sight of the blood covering Bethi’s middle.  The memory of the way she’d held the knife to her own throat shook me.

While her gaze swept around the clearing, mine remained locked on her face.  The cuts I’d seen on her arms and legs spelled out the truth for me.  She wasn’t a teen struggling to cope with some difficult situation.  She was trying to escape one.  For good.  If I hadn’t found her when I had, she would have killed herself.

The rage I’d felt parking the bike continued to boil in my veins as she finally looked at me and slowly straightened.

She would have left me and taken away any hope I had for a future with a Mate.

Her wide-eyed gaze held mine, and I realized I was still crouched and half-shifted.  Pulling the ferial thoughts in, I focused on her, the soft curve of her cheek and the bright blue of her gaze.  With each breath, I suppressed just a little more of the change.  Bethi started to shake.

In two steps I reached her and plucked the offending knife from her grasp.  I tossed it to the ground.  Though I knew she’d used it to defend herself, I still hated it because of how it had almost been used.

Her scent filled my lungs.  Fear, concern, determination swirled together with her base aroma.  Need surged.  The need to hold her, to touch her, to confirm she was still with me.  But I didn’t move.  I couldn’t.  I was still too angry with her.

She shrugged out of her jacket and stripped out of the hoodie I’d given her.  With a shaking hand, she lifted it and used it to press against my neck.

Her touch sent a tremor through me, and I reached out to gently hold her waist.  Wetness met my palm, her blood soaking the material.  I snagged the hem of her shirt and lifted the edge high enough to look at her wound.  A long gash ran horizontally across her stomach just above her belly button.  It wasn’t deep, but still bled.  She would need stitches.

She flinched slightly, and I dropped the hem to study her again.  It was like I was really seeing her for the first time.  I’d thought her fragile.  I still did.  But within that fragility there was also an iron determination that gave her an incredible strength.  She’d fought the mutts and had been willing to use whatever means necessary not to fall victim to their intentions.  That strength scared me because with it, Bethi was capable of anything.  Including leaving me forever.  I couldn’t let that happen.

I stepped closer.  Her hold remained on the material pressed to my neck.  She needn’t bother.  The bleeding would stop soon and the wound would slowly start to knit, unlike hers.  I reached up and took her trembling hand in mine.  I needed her so much.

Setting my forehead to hers, I closed my eyes.  Her sweet and spicy scent wrapped around me, and I inhaled deeply.  She was in my lungs, in my blood.  How did she think I could possibly exist without her?

I released her hand and wrapped her in my arms, brushing my lips against her temple.  Didn’t she feel it, too?  How right she was in my arms?  She squeaked when I clutched her a bit too hard, a reminder that I hadn’t gotten to her soon enough.  Loosening my hold, I met her gaze.

“Don’t—”  My voice broke, and I had to swallow hard and try to calm down before speaking again.  I couldn’t think of how close I’d come to losing her.  Instead, I needed to focus on her with me in that moment.

I leaned in, lifted a hand, and slid my fingers through her beautiful dark hair until I cupped the back of her head.  Her lips parted as I did the same thing with my other hand.  Once I held her, I leaned in further, moving closer until my lips hovered over hers.  Her breath washed over my skin while her pulse raced.  Both signs of how very alive we were.

“Don’t ever try to tell me goodbye again,” I said.  “We’re not done yet.”

Unable to resist, I closed the gap separating us.  The taste of her lips ensnared me.  Her scent, while divine at times, had nothing on her taste.  Emotions couldn’t flavor her mouth.  It was pure Bethi.

I ran the tip of my tongue over the seam of her lips, drinking in the bold cinnamon spiciness.   She opened her mouth to me, and I didn’t hesitate to delve further.  Blood pounded in my ears and my legs shook.  She was everything I wanted and so much more.

Her hands settled on my shoulders as her tongue touched mine.  I groaned into her mouth, wanting nothing more than to continue.  But the scent of her blood had grown stronger.  We needed to stop, for her sake.

I didn’t go far when I withdrew from the kiss.  Pressing my lips to her cheek and jaw, I continued to show her what she meant to me.  How much I felt for her.  She sighed and arched into me when my lips touched the skin at the base of her neck.  The shiver that ran through her had my canines lengthening in response and fed my hope that she would one day be fully mine.

Gently, I pressed my lips to first one corner of her mouth then the other before pulling away.  She stood before me, her eyes closed and her breath coming hard.

It took her a few moments to realize I wasn’t going to continue.  She opened her eyes and wrapped an arm around her middle.

“I’m sorry,” I said, looking away.  I shouldn’t have kissed her.  Not just because of her wound, but because I’d been so tempted not to stop.

She reached out and set a cool hand on my bare arm as if consoling me when I should have been assuring her.

“That won’t happen again,” I said, meeting her gaze.  “Until you’re eighteen.”  Then she would be mine.

Her mouth dropped open, and she made a sound of disbelief.

“And don’t ever try hurting yourself again,” I added.

“Are you kidding me?”  Her face had turned a livid red.  “That’s the problem?  We almost just died. We almost lost a chance for an us.”  She waved a hand between us. “And you’re worried about how old I am?”

Although I liked her use of the word us, I didn’t like the angry gleam in her eye or her scent.

“Bethi—”

“Don’t Bethi me.  First stop, I’m molesting your butt, and you’re going to like it!”

It was hard not to laugh at that as she bent to pick up her blade.  My smirk didn’t help cool her temper.  She stomped off, slashing at any saplings in her path.  Her temper rode her for several minutes before her arm stilled and her shoulders slumped.

“How did you find me?” she asked.

“Your scent.”  Eyeing her, I decided she was calm enough to answer the question that had been burning within me since I’d left the laundry mat.  “Why did you leave?”

She exhaled heavily.  “That’s not important anymore.  I won’t leave again.  How long until we reach the Compound?  This is only going to get worse.”

I agreed the likelihood of more attacks would only grow as we neared the Compound.  Joshua’s mistake had caused her so much pain.  How was this really in the best interest of our kind?  Yes, I agreed keeping the truth of finding a potential Mate was wrong.  But I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t give the command for all unmated to stay away from her until we were at the Compound.

Part of me was tempted not to return at all.  But, Joshua already knew about her.  Likely, the only reason I hadn’t been commanded to hand her over was because he knew I was bringing her to the Compound.  No, we couldn’t stay away.  I just hoped Gabby would be there as she promised.

“Tomorrow,” I said, finally answering Bethi.

She glanced at me, looking as troubled as I felt.  Then, she reached out, twining her fingers through mine.  The gesture made my chest ache.

We walked hand in hand back to the road.  When we reached the bike, she turned to eye me.  I studied her just as closely.

“You’re pale,” I said, brushing my fingers along her cheek.  “And you’re still bleeding.  We need to get that looked at.”

“Or you could just take us to a hotel, I could clean up and you could help me with some gauze and tape.”

Gauze and tape wouldn’t be enough.  I was about to say so when she held up her hand.

“We can’t afford the questions a hospital would ask.”

She was right.

“And we can’t ride around with you looking like that,” she said, when I moved toward the bike for clothes.

I looked down at myself.  Blood coated my skin, my shirt, my pants…I was red from head to toe.  I could change but would probably get the new clothes dirty in the process.

“What do you suggest?” I asked, looked back at her.

She pointed to the nearby marsh, which had a thin layer of ice over the water it offered.  Humor drifted around her.

“You’re liking this, aren’t you?”

“I’ll get Tinker Bell ready.”

I snorted and started toward the water.  My pants and shirt were beyond cleaning, but I wasn’t stripping with her watching.

“And you better hurry,” she said from behind me.  “Who knows what’s still headed in this direction.”

I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it far into the bushes.  Then, gritting my teeth, I kicked off my shoes and stepped out onto the ice.  Water soaked my socks and seeped up my pant legs.  Although I had no worry about things like hypothermia like a human would, the cold didn’t feel too good when it hit my thighs.  I didn’t move any deeper.

Using my hands, I splashed water onto my face, hair and chest, painting the surrounding ice pink with my efforts.

Behind me, Bethi’s breathing grew more pained.