Chapter 6.

Skylar.

“Who is she, brother?” The man asked, his expression growing dark. Tension hung in the air like a blanket. My heart thumped as I looked between him and Conrad. 

“You should go back down, Clyde.” Conrad growled.

“As should you!” The man, Clyde, said through gritted teeth. When he took a step forward, I flinched instinctively. The aura around him felt dark and dangerous.

In the blink of an eye, Conrad had disappeared from where he stood and was holding Clyde around his neck, pinning him to the wall. I gasped, and my heart raced faster. 

“She is my mate, and you'll say nothing about this to anyone!” Conrad growled, his voice grave as hell. He was almost choking the life out of Clyde. 

“Conrad, stop…” 

“Get a car ready, Skylar. Now!” He prompted, and I felt my legs move towards the balcony and onto the ledge. It was then, as I looked at the ground floor fifteen feet below, that I realized there was no way out.

“Conrad, I…” I tried to call him, but a loud crash interrupted me, making me scream in fear.

Goddess, don’t tell me they’re fighting. As I turned back, Conrad instantly rushed out onto the balcony. 

“Come on!” He yelled, leapt in my direction, grabbed my waist, and jumped over the ledge.

I screamed all the way down until Conrad landed with a thud. He gently laid me on my feet, which were still shaking along with my entire body.

“Come on, Skylar. We don't have much time!” He dragged me by my wrist as we ran towards the parking lot. 

About a thousand luxurious cars were parked in the wide expanse of land. I had no time to admire them as Conrad dragged me to his car.

However, instead of him getting in as I opened the passenger door, he stopped. 

“You have to drive!” He said, his tone urgent. 

“Just get in, you’re already standing there.” I said, my eyebrows raised. 

“I can’t drive, Skylar.” He dropped, and everything went silent for a moment. I wanted to laugh but I kept my lips pursed to muffle it.

The sound of raging footsteps prompted me to rush to the driver’s side of the car and get in. 

I ignited the engine just as several guards dashed into the parking lot, weaving through vehicles. 

“Hurry!”

 We were lucky that there were no cars in front of us, and I just hit the gear and sped off. I almost hit a bunch of cars that were about to enter the compound, and I think I brushed a few. But that was behind us; we were now speeding silently on the road. The Maelstrom pack house was slowly disappearing behind us.

For several minutes, the silence in the car was palpable. I glanced sideways at Conrad, and he did too. Then I chuckled,

“So…”

“Don’t say it!” Conrad said.

“You can’t drive, really?” I said, laughing out loud without remorse. 

“You’re the future Alpha of the greatest pack in the country, and you don’t know how to drive. How’s that even possible?” I asked, turning the steering wheel to weave past slower cars.

“That’s the exact reason why I never learned how to,” Conrad said defensively, rubbing his forehead. “When you grow up with the responsibility of becoming the Alpha of the greatest pack in the country, learning how to drive would be the least of your achievements, trust me.”

I just smiled at his words and again, silence hung in the air.

“So, where should we go now?” I asked in a low tone. I was simply driving wherever the spirit led.

Conrad looked out the window, not saying a word for a minute. I could almost feel the heavy weight on his shoulders.

“Clyde will, with no doubt, inform my grandfather of this. Of us. And he won’t stop coming after us until he gets answers. His reputation is dependent on it.” He said it like a dreadful announcement. I said nothing.

“I’ve got a little place where we can crash. Take the next turn,” he said, and I nodded.

…

“This doesn’t look like a little place, Conrad,” I remarked as we walked towards the two-story bungalow ahead of us. It looked cozy, and the surrounding area was peaceful. Barely ten houses could be seen on that street.

Conrad chuckled and unlocked the door with his handprint, and then we entered. It definitely wasn’t a little place. The exotic furniture and chandeliers were evident to that.

We both settled in. I was only clad in Conrad’s oversized shirt and my panties until I pulled them off and took a shower. The wardrobe was already filled with different clothes, although male ones, but I had no choice but to wear them.

I went downstairs and met Conrad in the living room. He placed two dishes on the center table and turned on the television.

We are silently watching the boring news channel. Soon, the headline was about Conrad's wedding.

“Confusion spreads as the long awaited talk of the town wedding of billionaire heir, Conrad Reign gets postponed till further notice. According to the groom's grandfather himself, Griffith Reign, unforeseen circumstances sprouted and hence, the postponement. Of course, many are confused and some devastated…”

Conrad switched off the tv and tossed the remote aside with a hiss.

“I guess your brother really did tell him.” I remarked.

Conrad scoffed, “He'd do anything to earn grandfather's goodwill. Fucking prick!”

“We can't stay here for long, it's only a matter of time before they find us.” Conrad said, taking his hand through his hair.

“But I thought you said this place is safe.” I groaned.

“It is, Skylar, for a few days at most. They have all they need to track us down in less than a week. We only have until then to plan another escape strategy.”

I groaned in exhaustion, palming my face. I've heard of the power and influence Griffith Reign had, both in the human and werewolf world. But I had no idea he was as scary as Conrad, his very own grandson, portrayed him.

I couldn't believe how my life had suddenly changed.

“Oh my goodness,” I said. “Will I be able to attend school? And what about my job?” 

“I'm sorry but you have to forget about those. You can't even step out of this house…”

“Oh shit!” I sprang to my feet, feeling my heart beat rapidly. I couldn't skip school, my life depended on it. I had to complete my studies so I'd get a scholarship.

My breathing hitched as I packed to and fro. What have I gotten myself into?

“Skylar, Skylar calm down.” Conrad said and took my hand and made me sit.

“Look at me,” he said softly and I slowly looked into his eyes.

“We'll get all the things you need from your school and apartment, I promise you.” He said, nodding in affirmation.

His hands slid up to cup my cheeks, “I’ll keep you safe,” he muttered, raising my hand to plant a kiss on it. “I swear to the goddess.” 

Suddenly, calmness returned to my chest and my breathing returned to normal. I nodded once as he palmed my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

My shoulders relaxed and I shut my eyes, feeling the heat of his face getting closer. Then I felt his lips against mine and I kissed him back immediately.

But with his grandfather on our tail, were we actually safe?