Out Running the Alpha

Once Bitten and Twice Shy

"It's time," Victor said.

"Now?" I asked startled.

"Yes it's a perfect time," Victor said taking my hand "With all the Weres here it'll be easy to slip away without being noticed for a while, but we have to go now. I have a car parked on the edge of the property". We walked quickly through the compound and to the other side of the property where sure enough a mid-sized black sedan was parked.

We got inside and I was so relieved I started to cry. "Thank you," I said as we sped away "Thank you so much and I'm sorry about what happened to you".

"It's not your fault," Victor said not looking at me "You're a victim here too. You begged him for mercy and then he made you watch a deathmatch instead".

I nodded embarrassed that I had almost fallen for Bastien's bullshit. We drove the rest of the way in silence until we reached a small airstrip with a private plane waiting for us. Glancing over my shoulder I looked for any sign that we had been followed as I frantically ran onto the plane with Victor. As the plane took off I sobbed relieved to finally be away from Bastien. I had lost hope that I would ever get to go home and see Greyson or my family again.

Unfortunately the farther we got from Oregon the more my mark began to burn. By now Bastien would have felt that I was gone, but it didn't matter. In a couple of hours, I would be back with my family and I could work on severing the bond. I shuddered remembering the vision that I had had of Bastien and Greyson facing off. I hoped that I was wrong, but I had a sinking feeling that that vision might be closer to coming true than I hoped.

When we landed there my dad, Greyson, and Greyson's dad were waiting for us on the tarmac. I ran into my father's arms ignoring the gravel that was cutting my still bare feet. My father wrapped his arms tightly around me. "I thought I'd lost you forever," he said gruffly and I realized that he was fighting back the tears. I laughed at my big gruff father crying giddy from finally being home. I hadn't realized how much this felt like home until now and I was glad to be back.

Finally, my father let go and we walked to his car. Greyson grabbed my hand, but I noticed how tense he looked. I realized how the dress I was wearing showed off the mark Bastien had given me and I realized how hard this must be for Greyson. Here I was the girl he had thought was his mate covered in another Weres scent and bearing his mark.

Once we got back to my father's house Greyson took me into our backyard where we sat down on the swing bench. "I'm so sorry," I said cutting through the silence unsure of what to say.

He looked at me surprised "You don't have anything to be sorry for. I'm the one who couldn't protect you".

"True, but he claimed me as his property" I sobbed the mark on my neck throbbing "After I tried to escape Bastien bit me and there was nothing I could do". I shivered remembering that night and Greyson put his arms around me holding me close to him. I noticed that he was breathing in my scent deeply and as he did so he relaxed slightly.

"Did he force himself on you?" Greyson asked letting go of me. I flushed remembering how I had practically thrown myself at him and shook my head. Greyson sagged in relief. "I'm so glad that you're back," he said leaning in he kissed me gently. A warm tingle went down my spine and I kissed him back. I felt so safe in his arms I never wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, Greyson broke off the kiss "There is something I need to tell you" he said slowly. I sniffled nodding and Greyson wiped my tears away. "Bastien was your true mate" he started and I cut him off.

"He can't be" I cut in hoping that Greyson was lying "He's a monster".

"Please just listen," Greyson said not unsympathetically. "Your father told me that Baudin females can have two true mates. Bastien is your mate, but so am I".