I had been brought up in a pack and knew how to defend myself to some extent. I also had a secret strength I had discovered when the changes had started after I had turned sixteen. Luckily I had discovered it before it had been noticed. It had been as simple as breaking the handle off on the door to my room. It had been unexpected and I hadn't shared it with my adoptive parents. I knew what powers werewolves were supposed to have and no females had the strength that I possessed before mating. My strength had grown. I was probably stronger than most werewolves, how strong I wasn't sure. I had never used it against anyone before for fear they would discover I was different.
I wondered if Flynn had told them anything yet. Did Kyle know I was here? I had so many questions and no answers. I reminded myself I had to concentrate on the important task of getting myself and Dean out of the property while the Keepers were too distracted.
It was either today or the next. If I couldn't get away, they would discover what I was and then I would be as good as dead.
My hands were shaking and I took a deep breath to calm myself. It was dark and I had no idea what time it was. Hayden had left the property with a handful of Keepers. I had no idea where they'd gone.
With so many Keepers missing, this left me with fewer Keepers to avoid as I tried to flee. I had no idea how I was going to get Dean out of here. He was pretty drugged up, so I just hoped he wouldn't be able to fully recall how he had been saved.
It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was all I had. I was also unarmed. I hadn't been able to find any real weapon so I had decided to fill one of my last syringes with some wolfsbane. Not only did it suppress my werewolf traits, it also weakened my strength as well. I hoped in a larger dose it would be enough to either knock one of them out or at least make them a lot weaker.
I was tired, but there was no time to sleep. I would have to try and pull this off while the other Keepers slept. If I didn't do it tonight I had no way of knowing if there would even be a chance tomorrow. What if all the Keepers returned and then I would have more of them to worry about?
I had also discovered a small side gate at the bottom of the property that was locked. I believed I was strong enough to break it despite my strength being weakened.
I felt the panic rise up in me and I stood up. I began to pace, formulating in my mind what I was going to do and how. I kept going through the plan in my mind again and again before I realized that no matter how many times I did, I would not be able to foresee every event that would unfold tonight.
We might get caught and then I would be resigned to my fate. But if we didn't, I could get Dean out of here and back to the pack.
I stopped. I hadn't thought past getting Dean home. The discovery of the Keepers didn't change the fact my existence was a danger I couldn't inflict on the pack. My path, despite all the recent events, still lay somewhere else where I would not be discovered.
An unwanted image of Kyle appeared in my mind. It made me feel guilty for what I had put him through. It was difficult not to remember how his eyes found mine and the shiver of awareness it sent through me. Inside somewhere, my instinct screamed for him:Mine.
Would he understand my actions if he knew the truth? Maybe. It didn't matter. I wasn't going to chance anything. If I stayed and the Keepers discovered me then I would put the pack in danger. I was out of options.
I pushed the thought of Kyle from my mind. I couldn't think of him now. My concentration could not be swayed by my emotions.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder, preparing to leave. Before I allowed the fear to take over and keep me confined to my room, I pushed the door open.
The passageway was dimly lit as I began to creep slowly in the direction of the staircase. The house was quiet and my ears strained to hear any noise that would signal a nearby Keeper.
I descended the stairs without encountering anyone. By the back door to the house I hid my backpack and took out the syringe filled with wolfsbane. If a Keeper caught me in the house I could still come up with some believable lie as to why I was wandering around so late at night. But with a backpack, my plan would be obvious.
My heart was thumping hard in my chest as I slowly made my way to the study. Dean wasn't being guarded but the door would be locked. I hoped the key would be in the study.
I stopped outside the study. The door was closed but there was no light. I eased the handle down and pushed the door open. I didn't dare switch on the light for fear it would give me away so I used the moonlight that entered through the window to try and find the keys.
Fear and panic set in when I couldn't find them. I scanned the desk and there was nothing.Damn it.
I began to feel the fear set in. What was I going to do now?
Keep calm, I told myself. Take a deep breath. I followed my instruction, filling my lungs with a long breath before releasing it.
My only option was to break the door. It might make a noise but I had no choice. As quietly as I could I made my way to the room where Dean was being kept. The closer I got to the point of no return, the more I began to feel overwhelmed. If I was discovered freeing a rogue, I was toast.
I waited for a few moments outside the door to make sure there were no Keepers inside the room but it was quiet. I looked down the passage before I tried to open the door. It was locked. It took a heavy push to break the lock and the door opened.
I stilled, waiting to hear for any Keepers, but there was nothing.
Dean was lying on the bed. I didn't waste any time. We had to move before we were discovered.
"What?" Dean said when I began to shake him awake. I gave him a small dose of the wolfsbane to weaken his werewolf scent. It would help with our escape.
"Quiet. We need to go," I whispered to him. He sat up but I had to help him to his feet.
"Can you do this?" I asked him as I put my arm around his waist to keep him steady.
He put his hand to his head and he nodded slowly.
