Chapter 4 - Jillian
I stared outside the window, taking in the woods. I didn't know these grounds, but I did know that I wouldn't let fear control my decisions anymore. I wasn't going to let other people make decisions about my life and just accept them. I was going to take back control in the only way I knew how.
I looked over my shoulder towards the door where I had propped a chair up against the door handle.
It wasn't going to keep Maddox out, but it would at least keep him out longer if I needed.
If he got up in the middle of his sleep and decided to check on me, I could at least save myself some time by keeping the door stuck.
I grabbed the window handle and yanked the window open.
The cold air hit my face like ice, and a shiver ran down my spine.
I swallowed, looking down, seeing the distance.
It wasn't like I'd never climbed up high distances before, because I had, but I also knew if I slipped at all, I was not going to heal up quickly like other shifters could.
If I landed wrong, there was a chance I would be able to walk and get away.
I always had to be a little more careful than other kids growing up. When kids slipped and fell out of trees or tumbled off a bike, they would heal in seconds, while I would be covered in bruises. My fair skin didn't help cover anything up either.
I glanced over towards Maddox's window, seeing that his light was off. I had listened, making sure I heard the sound of him getting into bed. This house might have been new, but you could still hear everything.
I swallowed, grabbed the sheets I had tied together, and threw them outside the window.
I didn't know how long I had, so I needed to move fast. I didn't know if Maddox was a deep sleeper or not, and I wasn't going to take a chance.
The house had been silent for fifteen minutes, and that was enough time to let me know he could be asleep.
I tied the end of the sheet to the bed and gave it a good tug. Once I knew it was going to hold me, I slowly started to crawl out of the window. I held on tightly to the sheets as I leaned out, swallowing my fear.
You can do this. You've done worse. You've seen worse.
I felt the wind bite at any exposed skin I had and suddenly wished I had something a little warmer. I wasn't turning back, though. I could find something along the way.
I crept down the house slowly, moving as quickly and quietly as I could. Any scrape or rustle made me pause, but only for a moment. I would glance at Maddox's window, making sure his light stayed off.
Once on the ground, I took a deep breath and surveyed the backyard, and made a beeline around the house.
Once in the driveway, I suddenly wished I had taken Maddox's car keys.
It would have been a better option than going on foot.
I could travel farther, but I also didn't need a thief added to my name if that followed me.
It was a little late to go back for them now, either way.
I headed down the sidewalk and shoved my hands into my pockets. The wind blew, and I listened as the trees rustled. Leaves scattered across the street, and a shiver rolled over me. Darkness covered the street, and the little light the street lights gave didn't help soothe me.
I shook my head, trying not to think of how scared I was. I hated the dark and I hated the cold. I never had a problem before, never had an issue before I was possessed. Now I was left constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for it to happen for a second time.
I softly hummed to fill the silence, finding it calmed me. I made my way out of the neighborhood and towards the woods. I slipped into the trees and felt my wolf grumbling irritably. She still hadn't spoken to me in days. The silence was almost worse.
I grew to lean on her voice and enjoyed her even if she was angry. When she was silent like this, I wondered if I'd made her up entirely.
I ignored her, walking deeper into the woods. I pulled my phone free, seeing it was a little after midnight now. I had hours before anyone would go looking for me. I just needed to stay alert and vigilant.
I tried to think of anything to keep me moving forward.
I could start a new life over. No one would know what I've done, and they would never look at me like everyone here did.
I could be a different person. I could find love, real love, and not a shame like this.
I should embrace the change and look forward to it.
Anything could happen. So much could happen.
But I felt the tug, the ache in my chest that I would miss so much.
I would miss Nina and Frank. They had both been nothing but supportive and caring.
Frank had watched after me, being what a wolf needed out of an Alpha.
He'd never say it, but I knew he took extra care of me.
Being unable to shift took a toll on a person's mind.
He had been there more than most people even knew.
He was a great Alpha, an outstanding one.
Behind that ruggedness, I found almost a brother.
I would miss my sister and having a person to lean on.
The thought of her brought tears to my eyes.
She would be torn apart about this, but it was for the better.
She wouldn't have to hear people whisper how much of a disgrace I was anymore.
She would be able to push past the pain and focus on herself.
She wouldn't need to worry about me and how I was doing.
She could focus on her life and her family.
I wiped at my eyes, trying to force the tears back. I couldn't cry. Not now. This was what was best, and I had to think about that rather than what I was going to miss. Everyone would have a better life without me in the picture. I would have a better life.
I glanced at my phone, seeing it was almost one in the morning now.
I didn't know how long I'd been walking, but I knew I had to be nearing another territory.
Maybe. I didn't know Maddox's pack and where his borders were.
I could still be in his land, but I also might not be.
I should have looked at a map before I left.
Or at least mapped out how far I needed to go before I hit another town.
There was a snap of a twig, and my entire body tensed up. I scanned the area around me, but found nothing. I swallowed, knowing someone was watching me. The darkness seemed to reach a hand out, ready to drag me down. I turned and bolted for it.
I heard footsteps behind me, and a tug in my chest told me it wasn't the darkness coming for me this time. It was someone else. A scent I had just left.
I took off in a full sprint, knowing damn well if he was going to take me back, he was going to have to drag me.
My legs screamed in protest, and my lungs ached, but I ignored them.
I forced myself to run for my life like it depended on it, because it did.
If Maddox caught up to me, I was screwed.
There was no getting away a third time. He was going to put a damn tracker on me before he left me alone again.
I could hear him getting closer, and I quickened my steps. I fumbled over rocks and ducked under branches. I was getting near water, and I could hear it. But then a body smacked into me, and we tumbled forward, smacking into the ground.
I instantly went on the defensive and started kicking and hitting. Maddox was quicker, grabbing my arms and shoving them above my head. His knees tightened around my legs as his body hovered over mine.
We were both panting as he pinned me down, his eyes zoned in on me. "Are you fucking kidding me?" he growled low. "Sneaking out in the middle of the night!? Are you asking to get murdered?"
I wiggled, trying to get one body part loose. His fingers only tightened around my wrist, his body pressing down against mine. The heat sent a different shiver down my spine, and my wolf purred at the contact.
"Let go of me, Maddox. You can't make me do this."
"No," he growled, his breath hot against mine. "You are clearly a fucking flight risk. I should have known your ass didn't actually want to go to bed."
I rolled my eyes. "And you're a dumbass for agreeing with it. You're an idiot to agree to any of this! You just agree with whatever the Council wants, no matter what it is."
He half laughed. "Oh, trust me, I won't be making that mistake again. You won't be getting any privacy until the ceremony now."
I buckled up, smacking my hips up into his. It was more of a grind, but anything to give myself space, anything to get him off of me and get myself free.
His fingers tightened on my wrist, and I could feel them imprint on my skin.
His body pressed harder against mine. I swallowed, suddenly feeling too hot.
His body was too close to mine. His scent was all around me.
It filled my nostrils, and I almost relaxed.
I hated how I reacted, almost like my body wanted this.
"Let go of me." I shook my head, trying to push the comforting feeling away.
"Not until you have used all of your energy. You are coming back."
I bucked again, and his thighs tightened around mine. His lips formed a line. "Stop that." He growled at me, his voice coming out clipped.
"Get off of me," I yelled.
Maddox leaned closer, his chest pressing against mine.
I felt my lungs suddenly seize at the closeness of him.
I could see his eyes were a soft green, like a plant just breaking free from the ground.
His skin was smooth with that sun-kissed tan.
Maddox had a sharp jawline but a soft face.
His brown hair looked fluffy, and I felt the urge to run my fingers through it.
Having him this close really showed just why women swooned over him.
With Maddox's body pressed against mine, I could feel that he was muscular. His muscles flexed as they held me, and I imagined how they looked underneath his clothes.
I felt my throat go dry as he remained quiet. Too quiet.
"What are you doing?" I asked, questioning why he was pressing so close to me now.
"Trying to mask your scent."
I felt my jaw drop. "Are you fucking kidding me? Who the hell…."
"Shut up," he warned, his voice changing.
And then I felt it. The presence of others. All the hair on my body seemed to rise, and I suddenly realized what Maddox meant. He was trying to cover my scent with his own.
My throat felt raw, knowing that if we were in his territory, he wouldn't care about hiding my scent. Which meant I had crossed over into someone else's land. "We aren't in your pack, are we?" I asked nervously.
Maddox's jaw clenched, giving me an answer. I had gotten myself into another territory, but I didn't think about what would happen if I had.
I watched his eyes jump from one corner to the next, looking around us. Maddox's body didn't move from mine. If anything, he pressed closer. I felt heat rush over me, and I squirmed, trying to ignore it.
"Maddox, what do we do?"
"Considering this is the territory of a jackass that loves to degrade women, I think you should have taken my warning seriously."
"Really? You're going to fucking yell at me now?" I snipped back in a whisper.
He leaned back and began to take off his jacket. I stared at his biceps, taking in how large they were. I swallowed at them, feeling my toes curl at the sight.
"What are you doing?"
"Masking your scent," he said, taking his shirt off next. My eyes widened as I took in Maddox's chiseled abs. He had a six-pack and perfectly formed pecs. I took in the hair that trailed down his belly button to his jeans button.
"Put this on." He handed me his shirt and his jacket. I moved quickly, pulling on his shirt and his coat. Maddox leaned closer and sniffed at me. "It's better, but still, I can smell you. We just have to hope this is enough."
I could hear there were several sets of footsteps walking closer towards us now. My heart pounded, and I felt sweat trail down my spine as I tried to contain my fear. I was now deeply regretting having run for it.