Read Online Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) by Bethany Shaw - Free Book Online Page A

already infiltrated our compound. People began to run. A few of us were able to get out in small groups.”
    “Your sister and her mate?” Nate asked.
    Tess nodded. “There were a few others too, three children, and my brother’s wife. Hunters caught up to us fast. Thea’s mate Dustin offered to fend them off, but Thea refused—she’s due to deliver anytime. So I went. That’s the last time I saw them,” she whispered. “I led our pursuers away so everyone else could escape, by the time I’d fought them off, I’d been shot and there were others close by. The only choice I had was to run. I don’t even know if the plan worked or not.” She gritted her teeth. Thea was okay. She had to be. The rest of her family was questionable. Her heart ached at the thought. Keep it together. You don’t know anything for certain.
    “Given her condition, do you think they would have even made it this far?” Nate asked.
    Tess paused considering his comment. She’d been in her feline form, which made her faster—a lot faster. Even injured, she’d run at top speed at a little over fifty miles an hour. Thea couldn’t transition due to her pregnancy—shifting was impossible during pregnancy. It was harmful to the fetus. Audrey, her brother’s wife was human. The three children they’d taken with them weren’t shifting age either. Dustin was the only one capable of transitioning. “Maybe if they obtained a car, but not by foot.”
    “This might not be them,” Nate reminded. “There are a lot of us being displaced.”
    “I know,” she sighed. But I can still hope.
    ***
    N ate eased his car off to the side of the road, parking behind the black Suburban. “This is one of our vehicles,” he told Tess.
    “Where are they?” Tess asked. She squinted, leaning forward to look out the window.
    Nate dug out his cell phone and flipped through his contacts. He mashed his finger down on Callum’s name and put the phone to his ear. Where were they? It was quiet. Too quiet. The hairs on his arms prickled as the phone rang in his ear. He grunted when the phone went to voicemail. Before he could redial, his phone vibrated with a new text.
    Watch yourself. We’ve gone to ground and are radio silent. Enemies are in the woods. Unknown number. Trying to make contact with the shifter and our people. No luck yet. – Callum
    He closed his eyes before quickly typing out a reply.
    We’re here too. Heading into the trees. Watch your backs. – Nate
    He turned to Tess, but she was already out of the car. She’s good. I didn’t even hear her. He opened his door and slowly climbed out of his seat.
    Tess stood in front of the car; her chartreuse eyes glowed as they scanned the perimeter.
    “Something’s wrong,” she breathed, mirroring his earlier thoughts.
    He nodded in agreement. “Hunters are here. Callum’s gone radio silent.”
    Tess slipped out of her jacket, gently laying the garment on the hood of the car. Next she slid off her shoes. His eyes followed her hands as they tugged on the hem of her tee. Her toned torso came into view. He licked his lips, imagining how it would feel to kiss his way up her chest. “Do you mind?” she asked, interrupting his fantasy.
    He blinked momentarily confused. Wait. She’s going to shift. Get your mind out of the gutter and pay attention. What is wrong with you? You don’t know what’s going on and you’re daydreaming like an idiot. You’re going to get yourself killed. Focus. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he warned. “We don’t know what’s in these woods.”
    Tess huffed. “Your friends are in these woods,” she pointed out. “I can move more fluidly and quieter in my feline form. It’s also easier to take them out.”
    Nate turned around. She was right. They would fare better in a fight in their animal forms. As an animal they were faster, more agile, and most importantly stronger. I better get ready myself. He fought the urge to peek as he heard the shuffling of