Chapter 8: Piper

Everytime I would find myself in a predicament, my older sister, Celeste would tell me the same thing; could be worse.

And in a sense she was always right. I fell down and scraped my knees? Could be worse.

I sucked in training? Could be worse.

I had to spend days inside the palace learning different ancient scrolls instead of being outside with the rest of the werewolves my age having fun? Could be worse.

But even I knew my whole level headed sister couldn’t exactly put a positive spin on this exact situation.

Because things couldn’t actually be worse.

I rested my head against the truck Landon was driving.

You’d think the alpha would have a fancier more modern car than a pick up truck. But, to my surprise, it had been the only one in the car park Landon had led me to.

I had practically held my breath the entire time we were leaving the manor thinking an entire army of soldiers would burst out of no where and arrest me. But, to my surprise, we had been completely alone in the house.

Huh. I guess the mighty Tempest pack weren’t as amazing at security than I had been led to believe.

Landon drummed his fingers against the wheel as we drove by the clear roads of their territory.

I couldn’t help but look out intrigued by how much more simple it looked compared to our own territory.

Everything seemed so simple as we moved through mostly greenery, trees and forests everywhere. Once in a while I saw wolves running in the forest, quaint cabin like houses and children running around.

A group even stopped to wave right at us as we passed. Landon honked and waved back joyfully.

My home was all fortified buildings and solid walls. It had been decades before our land had looked anything like this.

That was the price of being in constant war…

“Wanna listen to some tunes?” Landon asked in a jovial tone as he reached over and turned up an upbeat pop song.

“Not really.” I muttered, my eyes fixed on scanning and memorising every landmark we passed.

I wasn’t really in the mood to pretend to make small talk. My mind was too focused on how I would make a run for it and get out of the Tempest pack territory as soon as I got out of Landon’s sight.

The fact that I had come this far was miraculous enough.

“Do you not like music?” He asked sounding disappointed like a wounded puppy.

“I just prefer silence.” I spoke not having the luxury to explain to him that my life was literally on the line right now.

He turned his focus back to the road while turning down the volume on the radio.

“Where did you say you met my brother again?” He asked. “I’ve never seen you around the territory before.”

Crap. I thought to myself. The Tempest pack wasn’t the largest territory in the world. I wouldn’t be shocked if everyone around here knew each other.

“Where does your brother usually meet girls?” I asked carefully.

“I don’t know. Brothels?” Landon shrugged.

I shot him a sharp look. “What?”

My wolf was disgusted. Great, I had a mate who slept with prostitutes.

Landon cracked a smile showing a side dimple I hadn’t noticed before. “I’m kidding.” He made a turn and I started seeing more buildings and civilisation show up. This must have been their town square.

Maybe I could blend in with more people present and actually find a way out.

“It’s actually kind of weird that he even spent the night with you.” Landon spoke stopping at a cross walk as the traffic lights turned red.

“Why?” I asked trying to hide the disdain in my voice as I picked on some dried up mud in my hair that I hadn’t completely managed to get out. “Because he’s too good for me?” I asked in a mocking tone.

“No.” Landon spoke casually. “More like because my brother has a fiancé.”

“What?” I yelled causing Landon to break unexpectedly.

I lurched forward and thank goodness I was wearing a seat belt that tugged me back to the seat.

I turned to look at Landon wondering why he had stopped so abruptly.

His eyes were wide and fixed on something in front of us.

“Crap.” He cursed.

“Wait, what is it?” I asked beginning to panic.

“Soldiers.” He breathed out as he crouched down.

I crouched down as well when I saw what he was talking about. A group of guys gathered down the street with some military vehicles parked close by.

No, no, no. I thought to myself.

I was so dead.

Wait a minute.

I looked at Landon who was so low now no one from outside would probably be able to see him.

I knew why I was hiding but why was he?

“Why are you hiding?” I hissed in accusation.

He ran a hand through his curly dark hair.

“Uh, so, here’s the thing... I’m not supposed to be out here alone. It’s kind of the rules.”

My eyes widened.

What the hell? I was a fugitive running with a fugitive.

“Why are you hiding?” He asked me suspiciously.

I realised that I hadn’t exactly put myself in the best position.

“Uh…”

“Landon?”

Damn it!

A deep voice came from outside.

“Sh*t, I’m busted.” He muttered as he sat up and waved awkwardly.

“Uh, hey Nathan, guys.”

My eyes widened as I stayed down.

Nathan?

That piece of crap who was the reason I had been kidnapped in the first place?

This couldn’t get any worse. He would know it was me the minute he laid his eyes on me.

I tried to keep my face hidden as they came closer.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” Nathan asked and I could hear the anger in his voice.

“Oh you know…” Landon spoke casually leaning his elbow out the window trying to be casual. “Just taking a casual stroll, what about you, dick face?”

I almost snorted out a laugh. I guess I’m not the only one who hated Nathan.

“Landon quit being an asshole.” I heard Nathan’s smooth voice respond.

I remained low praying Landon would get us out of this one without Nathan or the other soldiers noticing my presence.

“How else would you want me to react to my jerk ex best friend who stole my girlfriend?” Landon spoke casually.

My brows rose taking in this new info. Interesting. So being a backstabbed was simply in his nature.

“I told you, it wasn’t like that.” Nathan sighed actually sounding remorseful.

Yeah, right. If I could, I would punch him in his pretty little -

“Wait, who is that?”

Oh no.

I knew there was no use in continuing hiding.

I lifted my head and gave a nervous smile.

“Hey there.”

Nathan’s face dropped the minute he saw my face.

“Piper?”

I started scrambling for the passenger door handle.

“Uh, hi, I was just uhm -“ I didn’t give it another second before I swung the door open and stumbled out of the car.

“You idiot! You let a prisoner out?”

That was the last thing I heard before I darted away as fast as my legs could carry me.