Chapter 3 #2
If I counted Sash’s absence correctly, it’s twenty-five miles away from this location, which I wouldn’t necessarily consider close. I suppose the shifters have a different perception of distance, though. It makes sense considering they can shift and run faster than most animals. Must be nice.
“It’s several hours on foot.” Caleb grimaces before continuing. “And the roads here are too overgrown for vehicles. I’ll carry you. Don’t worry.”
I nod, frustration rising. It slipped my mind that shifters don’t use vehicles, the creatures preferring to travel in their wolf forms. They spurned most human forms of transportation after taking over these lands.
They let nature ruin what used to be sprawling cities and carefully cultivated land. Canada as we once knew it is long gone. I’ve seen images in history books, but they were taken before.
It’s been three generations since the shifters exposed themselves, revealing their true nature and retreating into Canada. Their mass exodus is well documented. HPAW made sure I was aware of every detail.
Neighbors, friends, celebrities, and even politicians were there one day and gone the next.
Humans had had no idea they’d been living among such animals, and the fact that the shifters had been able to keep their true selves a secret for so long is horrifying.
The deception is nauseating. What else are they capable of?
The unknown has kept humans on edge for decades.
I let my head rest against Caleb’s chest. He seems to enjoy my touch, and I’m going to milk that for all it’s worth. I have to. I have no other options.
He smells good, and I gently tilt my chin so more of his scent reaches my nose. I’m aiming for subtlety, but it’s obvious Caleb notices by the way his chest rumbles against my cheek. HPAW suspects the shifters have two consciousnesses, the ‘human’ and the ‘wolf.’
They know nothing for certain, though.
I clear my throat. “What do—”
The doctor speaks up from behind. “You should refrain from speaking until we’ve had the opportunity to examine your lungs.”
Caleb nods, quickly agreeing. “We’ll talk later. I promise.”
Patience has never been a virtue of mine, and I struggle to remain quiet as Caleb carries me through the woods and onto what clearly used to be a road.
It’s overgrown, the pavement falling victim to nature’s persistent claiming.
I’ll never admit to finding the sight beautiful.
It’s probably because I’ve spent most of my life locked up in an HPAW facility—staring at cement walls and concrete floors.
Every muscle in my body aches, making the minutes pass agonizingly slowly. I’m waiting for the moment Caleb grows tired and asks me to walk, but it doesn’t come. The hours pass, and Caleb shows no sign of fatigue.
He carries me with terrifying ease.
Exactly how strong are the shifters? Is Caleb an exception?
Eventually, the road clears up, and to my complete surprise, a black SUV is waiting for us. I don’t know much about vehicles, but I can tell this one is old. Rust covers the back bumper, and the paint is dulled and chipping.
There’s a shifter standing beside the trunk, a slim, young man no older than twenty, and he rushes to open the back door as Caleb nears. I assume Nurse June is to thank for the transportation.
I grind my teeth, a pained grunt slipping from my throat as Caleb lays me across the back seats. He crawls in behind me, squeezing his long limbs in the small space between the front and back seats.
It’s almost comical how uncomfortable he looks trying to fit his large body into the gap, but he voices no complaint as the doctor takes the front passenger seat and the newcomer begins driving.
“Shifters drive?” I ask.
Caleb frowns, pushing my sweaty hair out of my face. The strands have been stuck to me for a while, and I let out a sigh as they’re removed.
“We can,” he says. “But we prefer not to.”
The SUV jolts to life, and electric pain explodes along my ribcage.
“Shit.” Caleb jumps into action, pinning my shoulder and thigh against the seat to keep me in place. “I’m so sorry. This road leads straight to the pack. We’ll be there soon.”
We resume driving. There are so many potholes, and I break out into a cold sweat. I’m going to vomit. Or faint. I’m not sure which.
Caleb continues to hold my shoulder and thigh, trying his best to prevent me from jostling with the SUV’s damn near-continuous jerks.
“I’m so sorry,” he repeats. “You’re safe now, my mate.”
“It’s Evelyn.”
He blinks, his mouth silently forming around the word.
“Evelyn,” he repeats, this time with volume. “We’re almost there, Evelyn.”
I hate the way my name feels flowing off his tongue. It’s smooth. Addicting. I want him to say it again.
Caleb frowns, then quickly tugs down the bottom of my dress, covering my exposed thighs. I wasn’t bothered by it. My need for privacy was lost during my time within the HPAW facility. I was watched through cameras every second of every day, including while I showered and used the restroom.
Shame isn’t something I possess.
I force my lips into a small smile, though, pretending to be thankful for Caleb’s attempt at keeping me modest. The average human woman cares deeply about it, and most other women would have been flattered by his actions.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Caleb’s eyes light up. “You’re welcome.”
By the time we reach the pack, I’m ready for the sweet relief of death.
My thoughts fall to the wayside as I take in the city where Caleb’s pack resides.
It’s stunning. This place must have been around before the exodus.
The streets are narrow, lined on both sides with tall, brick buildings.
There are shops, apartment buildings, and I even spot a park off in the distance. This place is surprisingly quaint.
And there are shifters everywhere.
Hundreds of them. They walk through the streets—men, women, children. So many children. They squeal and scream, weaving through legs with wild abandon. I’m not sure what I expected, but it sure wasn’t this.
Several of the children sprint toward the SUV the moment they notice it, but they slow when they see me peering out the window. Then they grow weary, almost even afraid, as they glance between me and Caleb.
Parents usher them away with hushed whispers, their gazes averted.
We drive through the busy streets, continuing until we reach a hospital. The circular parking lot is empty, shocker, and the driver pulls into the spot closest to the entrance. Caleb doesn’t hesitate to jump out and scoop me into his arms.
The hospital’s front doors slide open as we approach. Everything I’ve seen of the pack feels rustic, but this place is sleek. Small, but sleek.
The interior is sterile, every surface shiny and spotless. On the right is a long reception desk, and on the left are several open rooms. The crisp, white curtains are pulled back, revealing an empty bed in the center of each room.
The woman from the forest is here, already waiting with two others. The doctor rushes ahead of us, barking orders with every step.
I’ve done it.
I’m in the heart of a shifter pack, and the alpha seems to care deeply about my health. I suspect he believes in the bond. It’s actually happening. I’m going to save the humans.