Read Online Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) by Bethany Shaw - Free Book Online
Authors: Bethany Shaw
Ads: Link
The streetlights whirled above them as the car sped down the city road.
“How long of a drive is it?” she asked, realizing that she still had no idea where she was. Yeah she was in Tennessee, but which part?
“About an hour,” Nate explained. “You warm enough?”
“Yeah.” She leaned back and crossed her arms over her body. It wasn’t horribly cold outside, but she liked the heat. She should have run to Florida instead. No. Her family was going to Ohio. That’s where she needed to be. But maybe she could convince them to go to a warmer, preferably less rainy climate.
“You know, the other shifter might not be part of your pride. Hunters in this area are ruthless. They tear down packs and families in droves. It could be anyone,” Nate warned.
Tess closed her eyes. He was right. “I know. But I need to see for myself.” If it was someone from her pride, she wanted to partake in their rescue. If it were another shifter, then she would relish in the knowledge that she’d help keep them safe.
“You said your pride was large. I’m sure a lot of people got out,” Nate comforted quietly.
Tess blinked and turned to the window as she shook her head slowly. Images flashed in her mind. “I don’t know,” she murmured. She closed her eyes and searched her memories. Maybe in all the chaos she had missed others fleeing. “The attack was well coordinated. Hunters had been spotted in the area a few weeks ago. We were already on high alert. Everyone was taking turns watching our borders. It was my night off. I was sleeping and awoke to screams and hollers. The entire complex was on fire. We had no other choice but to flee.” Tears pricked her eyes and a lump formed in her throat as the night began to play through her mind.
“That must have been horrible,” Nate commented when she didn’t continue.
Tess opened her eyes and turned to look at him. His hand clenched the wheel tightly, and his eyes were fixated on the road. He’s probably seen something like that a hundred times. The last thing he probably wanted was to listen to another sob story.
“It was,” she agreed. She swallowed hard and let out a long breath. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Stay focused.
“They’ve been using fire a lot. It draws us out. Once we are in the open, they start to pick us off,” Nate replied hollowly.
Tess sighed. That’s exactly what happened. “Makes you think we should start taking the offensive.” She gritted her teeth. Maybe if she couldn’t find any survivors, she’d take the offensive herself. A rogue werecat on the prowl could do a little damage. Yeah, but you’ll get yourself killed. Hunters travel in groups of at least six. She fisted her hands in frustration. Helpless. She hated the feeling.
Nate turned, focusing his gaze on her for a long moment before turning back to the road. “I’ve been saying the same thing. Seems silly to sit around and wait for them to find us. More of our people are bound to get hurt if the fighting is on our turf.”
“Let me guess, your leaders don’t approve?” Tess questioned with a sigh. At one point the council was probably a good idea, but right now, it sounded like it was more of a hindrance than help.
“No. There are too many older people on the council. They are stuck in the old ways. We need to move forward and do what works best for everyone now,” Nate replied. “The larger we grow, the more of a target we become.”
“My pride was large,” Tess started quietly. She swallowed as she tried not to think about the bodies of her friends and family she’d seen littering the ground. “They tore us apart in a few hours. We held them off at the outer buildings for a while, but the fire from those buildings began to spread, and eventually made its way to the main compound. We couldn’t fight them and the fire at the same time. It was too much. By the time my father gave the order to evacuate, it was too late for a lot of us. Hunters had
“How long of a drive is it?” she asked, realizing that she still had no idea where she was. Yeah she was in Tennessee, but which part?
“About an hour,” Nate explained. “You warm enough?”
“Yeah.” She leaned back and crossed her arms over her body. It wasn’t horribly cold outside, but she liked the heat. She should have run to Florida instead. No. Her family was going to Ohio. That’s where she needed to be. But maybe she could convince them to go to a warmer, preferably less rainy climate.
“You know, the other shifter might not be part of your pride. Hunters in this area are ruthless. They tear down packs and families in droves. It could be anyone,” Nate warned.
Tess closed her eyes. He was right. “I know. But I need to see for myself.” If it was someone from her pride, she wanted to partake in their rescue. If it were another shifter, then she would relish in the knowledge that she’d help keep them safe.
“You said your pride was large. I’m sure a lot of people got out,” Nate comforted quietly.
Tess blinked and turned to the window as she shook her head slowly. Images flashed in her mind. “I don’t know,” she murmured. She closed her eyes and searched her memories. Maybe in all the chaos she had missed others fleeing. “The attack was well coordinated. Hunters had been spotted in the area a few weeks ago. We were already on high alert. Everyone was taking turns watching our borders. It was my night off. I was sleeping and awoke to screams and hollers. The entire complex was on fire. We had no other choice but to flee.” Tears pricked her eyes and a lump formed in her throat as the night began to play through her mind.
“That must have been horrible,” Nate commented when she didn’t continue.
Tess opened her eyes and turned to look at him. His hand clenched the wheel tightly, and his eyes were fixated on the road. He’s probably seen something like that a hundred times. The last thing he probably wanted was to listen to another sob story.
“It was,” she agreed. She swallowed hard and let out a long breath. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Stay focused.
“They’ve been using fire a lot. It draws us out. Once we are in the open, they start to pick us off,” Nate replied hollowly.
Tess sighed. That’s exactly what happened. “Makes you think we should start taking the offensive.” She gritted her teeth. Maybe if she couldn’t find any survivors, she’d take the offensive herself. A rogue werecat on the prowl could do a little damage. Yeah, but you’ll get yourself killed. Hunters travel in groups of at least six. She fisted her hands in frustration. Helpless. She hated the feeling.
Nate turned, focusing his gaze on her for a long moment before turning back to the road. “I’ve been saying the same thing. Seems silly to sit around and wait for them to find us. More of our people are bound to get hurt if the fighting is on our turf.”
“Let me guess, your leaders don’t approve?” Tess questioned with a sigh. At one point the council was probably a good idea, but right now, it sounded like it was more of a hindrance than help.
“No. There are too many older people on the council. They are stuck in the old ways. We need to move forward and do what works best for everyone now,” Nate replied. “The larger we grow, the more of a target we become.”
“My pride was large,” Tess started quietly. She swallowed as she tried not to think about the bodies of her friends and family she’d seen littering the ground. “They tore us apart in a few hours. We held them off at the outer buildings for a while, but the fire from those buildings began to spread, and eventually made its way to the main compound. We couldn’t fight them and the fire at the same time. It was too much. By the time my father gave the order to evacuate, it was too late for a lot of us. Hunters had
Similar Books
