Read Online Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) by Bethany Shaw - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bethany Shaw
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her stepping out of her jeans. I bet she’s stunning. God. Get a grip. Shaking his head, he quickly undressed. He heard the telltale cracking of breaking bones, then silence. Tess had finished her shift. Hurriedly, he walked to the back of the car and grabbed a bag from the trunk. He’d learned through trial and error that having clothes readily available was always a good idea. He stuffed his clothes into the bag and moved to the front of the car and shoved Tess’ in as well. Dropping the bag on the ground, he positioned the strap so he could easily step into the messenger bag. With a leap forward, he triggered his change and landed on four paws. He took a moment to stretch before stepping into the bag and turning back to Tess.
Her sleek black fur shone in the moonlight as she flexed her claws. He yipped quietly, and she met his eyes. Her gaze roamed over his, taking in his white and grey coat. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Did she like what she saw?
No. It would be better if the attraction was only one sided. There would be less chance of them acting on it. Interspecies dating was prohibited. Another stupid rule set forth by the council members.
A loud guttural shriek broke his train of thought. He snapped his head in the direction of the sound. Tess hissed then darted up the hill, and through the brush. Without a second thought, he lunged after her.
Tess was a touch faster than him. Her lithe legs moved effortlessly through the trees. She was quiet too. While he could hear every twig and leaf he stepped on, he couldn’t hear a peep from her. How does she do it?
He pushed himself faster, harder, eager to get to the ensuing fight. Hisses and hollers filled the air. A gunshot rang out through the air, and both he and Tess paused.
His ears perked listening intently to the sounds of the forest. Small animals rushed away from the violence. The leaves rustled in the wind. Finally, he heard what he was listening for. To his left, a feral hiss echoed off the forest floor. He charged forward, Tess right beside him toward the scuffle.
They ran side by side in perfect sync, you’d think they did this all the time. She was perfection—she’d be a good partner.
Another gunshot boomed a few hundred feet in the distance. Together, they raced ahead. The world whipped past them as they ducked beneath low hanging branches and leapt over logs.
His eyes narrowed as a light green jacket came into view. Focusing on the woods, he searched for more people and quickly recognized another man dressed in green. This time of year, there wasn’t much green left in the forest, at least not in that hue, and the color was a sharp contrast to the earthy browns of the trees. He pushed his burning muscles faster. They had to save whoever was under attack. Enough of their kind had already paid the ultimate price.
The closest Hunter began to turn, no doubt having heard their rapid approach, but they were already too close. Nate lunged; claws outstretched, and drug the man to the ground. Tess darted past him, going after the other enemy a few feet away. She let out a ferocious hiss before tackling the second man into the dirt.
Satisfied that she could handle herself, he went in for the kill. Nate dipped his head and closed his mouth around his enemy’s throat. The man bucked beneath him, but he squeezed harder. Bitter blood flooded his mouth. Nate shook his head violently, wanting to end this now. Hunters could be hiding in the trees, and he needed to be on alert for an attack.
The thrashing beneath him subsided, and he pulled back, looking down into lifeless black orbs. He chuffed and narrowed his eyes. The woods were silent for the moment. Wildlife no doubt had been scared away by the gunshots, but their adversaries could still be lurking.
Tess slinked by him, crouched down, her eyes alert and ears pinned back. Did she hear something he didn’t? Or was she being extra cautious?
He chanced a quick glance at the
Her sleek black fur shone in the moonlight as she flexed her claws. He yipped quietly, and she met his eyes. Her gaze roamed over his, taking in his white and grey coat. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Did she like what she saw?
No. It would be better if the attraction was only one sided. There would be less chance of them acting on it. Interspecies dating was prohibited. Another stupid rule set forth by the council members.
A loud guttural shriek broke his train of thought. He snapped his head in the direction of the sound. Tess hissed then darted up the hill, and through the brush. Without a second thought, he lunged after her.
Tess was a touch faster than him. Her lithe legs moved effortlessly through the trees. She was quiet too. While he could hear every twig and leaf he stepped on, he couldn’t hear a peep from her. How does she do it?
He pushed himself faster, harder, eager to get to the ensuing fight. Hisses and hollers filled the air. A gunshot rang out through the air, and both he and Tess paused.
His ears perked listening intently to the sounds of the forest. Small animals rushed away from the violence. The leaves rustled in the wind. Finally, he heard what he was listening for. To his left, a feral hiss echoed off the forest floor. He charged forward, Tess right beside him toward the scuffle.
They ran side by side in perfect sync, you’d think they did this all the time. She was perfection—she’d be a good partner.
Another gunshot boomed a few hundred feet in the distance. Together, they raced ahead. The world whipped past them as they ducked beneath low hanging branches and leapt over logs.
His eyes narrowed as a light green jacket came into view. Focusing on the woods, he searched for more people and quickly recognized another man dressed in green. This time of year, there wasn’t much green left in the forest, at least not in that hue, and the color was a sharp contrast to the earthy browns of the trees. He pushed his burning muscles faster. They had to save whoever was under attack. Enough of their kind had already paid the ultimate price.
The closest Hunter began to turn, no doubt having heard their rapid approach, but they were already too close. Nate lunged; claws outstretched, and drug the man to the ground. Tess darted past him, going after the other enemy a few feet away. She let out a ferocious hiss before tackling the second man into the dirt.
Satisfied that she could handle herself, he went in for the kill. Nate dipped his head and closed his mouth around his enemy’s throat. The man bucked beneath him, but he squeezed harder. Bitter blood flooded his mouth. Nate shook his head violently, wanting to end this now. Hunters could be hiding in the trees, and he needed to be on alert for an attack.
The thrashing beneath him subsided, and he pulled back, looking down into lifeless black orbs. He chuffed and narrowed his eyes. The woods were silent for the moment. Wildlife no doubt had been scared away by the gunshots, but their adversaries could still be lurking.
Tess slinked by him, crouched down, her eyes alert and ears pinned back. Did she hear something he didn’t? Or was she being extra cautious?
He chanced a quick glance at the
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