She thanked him? Her instincts to not trust him were right. After all, he was holding back information that would freak the hell out of her, like that he was a lycan. He couldn’t tell her yet. He needed her to keep a clear head until they were safely away from Damon. Thankfully, none of the pack had shifted in front of her. Hopefully, none would before they got the hell out of there, as most shifted at the edge of the woods to go hunting or running.
There was usually no reason to shift in the open.
He pulled her against him and she sighed. “Raze?”
“Yeah?”
“I keep hearing wild animals at night, like howling and whining and growling. You don’t think anything is out there that will hurt us when we try to escape, do you? I mean, besides your, um, family?” She chewed at her lip.
“They aren’t my family. They haven’t been for a long time, and I’m sorry to be associated with them, and I despise what they do.” His gut rolled with hatred and sorrow over what his pack had become.
“I didn’t mean to imply that you were like them. You aren’t.”
“Don’t worry about anything right now other than getting some sleep.
You need to make sure you are rested and clear minded for tomorrow night.”
If she had any inkling that the minute they were missed tomorrow night, wolves would be on their asses, she’d freak out. He couldn’t afford for her to be distracted. He helped her right her clothing and pulled his jeans back up, but left them undone. He tucked her closer to him, and slid his leg over her hips to give her as much of his warmth as he could. The nights were cold this time of year, especially in the cave, and she ran the risk of getting sick or dying of hypothermia if she got chilled.
29
Lycan It
S. K. Yule
She sighed and snuggled against him, and he waited for her deep, even breaths of sleep before he allowed himself to rest beside her. He wouldn’t be able to doze because his need to protect her wouldn’t allow it, and until he had her out of Damon’s and the rest of the pack’s grasps, she’d never be safe.
30
Lycan It
S. K. Yule
Chapter Six
Janine lay curled in the corner of the cave with her back to the entrance just as Raze had instructed her to do. She pretended to shiver every so often, and listened as he talked to a man that had brought them food.
“What’s wrong with the bitch?”
She recognized the voice as that of the dark-haired kid who appeared to be no older than nineteen or twenty named Ricky who normally escorted them to the lake.
“She’s sick.” Raze’s voice was laced with disgust just as he’d warned her it would be.
“She gonna die?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.” Raze snorted. “She’s only good for one thing to me.”
Ricky laughed. “Yeah. I wish I could have had a go at that one. She’s curvy and womanly, unlike a lot of the sticks brought up here for us.”
Janine winced. Nothing like being called fat.
“Damon told me to take your chain off.”
“About fucking time. My neck’s starting to chafe.”
There was some rustling, followed by the rattle of the chain hitting the floor of the cave.
“He had to be sure you wouldn’t run again. You know, Raze. I’ve always liked you. You’ve always been different, but if you run again, he’s going to kill you. You know that, right? There ain’t no second chances here. Hell, there’s rarely a first chance. Don’t be stupid again.”
“Why in the hell would I want to leave? I just had a stupid moment of weakness just like we all do on occasion. I know my place is here now.
Always was, always will be.”
Janine shivered for real after Raze’s statement. She’d rather be dead than spend the rest of her life here.
“Here’s your food. Let me know if you need anything else. Oh, here’s a clean change of clothes too.”
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Lycan It
S. K. Yule
She listened to Ricky’s retreating footsteps before risking a glance over her shoulder. Raze was crouching, holding a big bowl in his hand, his head bowed, and his back expanding with each deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” Janine whispered.
Raze’s head snapped up and he turned to look at her. His eyes held that eerie glow to them once again. “Nothing.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Seems like it’s not nothing to me.”
She watched him as he stood and came to sit beside her, so close he nearly touched her back. She didn’t miss the way he always placed himself between her and everyone else at all times. Even when he’d been talking to Ricky, she didn’t have to look to know that Ricky would have to peer around him to see her. He protected her the best way he could without drawing attention to the fact that he was doing so.
“Here.” He handed her an apple. “Eat something.” He sighed. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just real tired of playing the meek, obedient dog to Damon.”
“After tonight, it will all be over.” She tried to reassure him, even though she had doubts of them ever escaping.
“No. After tonight, we will be running for our lives until Damon is dead.”
She turned to him. “You were serious when you said you will never be free of him unless he’s dead? He will never stop coming after you. But, what you didn’t mention is, he’ll be after both of us. Won’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God! I can never go back home.” She sat up. “Wait. If he finds out who I am, he will use my sister to get to me, won’t he? I have to find a way to protect her.”
“Settle down, Janine. First of all, where is your ID?”
She frowned. “In my car.”
“Did Damon get in your car?”
“Not that I know of. No. I don’t think there
