Elena POV:
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
What the hell was I thinking? Why did I co downstairs? I should’ve stayed hidden. I should’ve been smarter. The storage room had been the perfect hiding place—dusty, dark, and so inconspicuous that even his overly obsessive wolf wouldn’t think to look there. But no, my stupid stomach had to ruin everything.
I hadn’t eaten since the shopping spree. Last night after I sneaked in Kane place, I had woken up starving, my stomach growling like a rogue wolf, but I hadn’t dared to step out of my hiding spot. What if he was back? What if he was prowling around, waiting to catch ? No way. I was determined to wait until midday, when I was sure he’d be out, probably hunting down in the forest.
So, this afternoon, I finally worked up the courage. Quietly, carefully, I’d crept down the stairs, moving like a shadow. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I’d convinced myself he was still out there searching. My luck had held up this long, hadn’t it?
I was halfway to the kitchen when I glanced at the living room—and froze.
There he was. Kane.
The stupid alpha was sprawled out on the couch, looking far too relaxed for soone who was supposed to be losing his mind over . His head was tilted back, his lips slightly parted, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Then still in his slumber he opened his eyes.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Did he see ?
I ducked into the kitchen so fast I almost tripped over my own feet. My breath ca in quick, shallow gasps as I pressed my back against the cold wall, trying to steady myself.
The hunger that had driven out of my hiding spot was gone now, replaced by a wave of pure, unadulterated panic. I couldn’t tell if my heart was beating too loud or if I was just imagining it, but either way, I was terrified he’d hear .
Why is he here? I thought frantically. Shouldn’t he be out there looking for ? What the hell is he doing lounging around like this is so vacation?
My fingers tightened around the edge of the counter as I debated my next move. Should I try to sneak back upstairs? Should I stay hidden here in the kitchen and hope he goes back to sleep? Or should I grab a knife and make a break for it?
Goddess, why didn’t I just stay in the storage room? The hunger was manageable. The fear of being caught? Not so much.
I peeked around the corner, just enough to catch a glimpse of him. He hadn’t moved, but that didn’t an he was asleep. For all I knew, he could be lying there, listening for , waiting to pounce the second I made a noise.
My hands trembled as I reached for a loaf of bread on the counter. I didn’t bother looking for a plate or anything to go with it—no ti for that. I just grabbed a slice, stuffed it into my mouth, and hoped it would be enough to keep alive for the next few hours.
I was just about to sneak back to my hiding spot when I heard it—a low growl, rumbling from the living room.
"Elena," his voice called, low and dangerous, like he was trying to lure out. "Why can’t we be like normal loving mates"
Fuck.
Oh, goddess, what do I do?
My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I could barely hear anything else. That voice—low, commanding, dangerous—sent a shiver of dread crawling down my spine. I’d been so close. So damn close to pulling off the perfect escape. I had a plan, I had the space, and I thought I had the ti. But now, in this mont, everything was unraveling faster than I could stop it.
It can’t be happening like this. Not now. Not when I was so close.
I cursed under my breath, eyes darting around the kitchen. The bread was still in my hand, but it was the last thing on my mind. I couldn’t even chew anymore, my throat tight with fear. I needed to think. I needed to do sothing, anything, to get out of here before he ca for .
His growl echoed in my mind, a constant reminder that he was no fool. He knew I was here, hiding sowhere, waiting for to make a mistake. And, of course, like an idiot, I had given myself away. The slightest sound. The rustle of my breath as I tried to steady myself, or worse—the fact that I’d been stupid enough to go for food in the first place.
I could feel his presence just beyond the kitchen doorway, even though I couldn’t see him. It was like I could imagine the heat of his gaze on , a pressure in the air that made my skin crawl. My hand tightened on the counter, my mind racing. I needed a way out, and fast.
Think, Elena. Think. What can I do?
I cursed again, this ti more bitterly. My plan was ruined. The freedom I’d fought for was slipping away in the blink of an eye. I’d gotten cocky, thinking I could outsmart him. But I wasn’t just up against any guy—he was an alpha. He wasn’t like any alpha, whether I liked it or not. And he wasn’t going to let get away so easily.
I forced myself to breathe slowly, steadying my thoughts as much as I could. There had to be a way out. He couldn’t keep here forever.
But what the hell do I do now?
I peeked around the corner, just enough to see him—Kane. He was still lounging on the couch, his form stretched out lazily, his eyes closed. Was he sleeping? Or was he pretending to sleep? I swore I had seen his eyes flicker open, just for a second, almost like he was aware of my every move.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly ducked back into the kitchen, pressing my back against the cold cabinet door. My breath was shallow, my pulse hamring in my ears.
He knows. He knows I’m here.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching , even when I couldn’t see him. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating. He had that kind of power over , didn’t he? Even now, when I thought I had him cornered, I was the one who felt trapped.
I cursed under my breath, fighting the panic rising in my chest. Stay calm, Elena. Think. Just think!
My eyes darted around the kitchen, looking for sothing—anything—that I could use to my advantage. There was a knife on the counter, but that wasn’t the answer. No, I wasn’t about to make things worse by doing sothing stupid. I just needed to find a way out.
There’s gotta be a way.
But where could I go? The house was huge, and Kane was probably waiting for to make a move, just like he always did. If I tried to sneak past him again, I would only end up making it worse. He was relentless. Always watching. Always waiting.
I leaned against the counter, trying to steady myself, but my mind was a ss of racing thoughts. If he found , there was no telling what he’d do. He wouldn’t let leave again. Not without consequences.
Then, sothing in snapped.
Fuck it.
I wasn’t about to let him win. Not like this. Not after everything I’d been through to get this far.
I had to find a place to hide and hope the wolf intoxia still worked it was only my chance for survival. I just have to be smater than him.
I moved quickly, silently, my feet barely making a sound as I backed away from the kitchen door. I knew this was my last chance. If I waited too long, I’d be spotted in here with him. And I couldn’t let that happen.
I took a deep breath and darted for the supply door. My hand was on the handle when I heard it—his voice, calm and low.
"Elena," he called, and my heart stopped.
I froze, my hand still gripping the door handle. Had he seen ? Had he caught ?
No. No, I couldn’t let it be over yet. I pushed the door open as quietly as possible and slipped into the the room it has barely any place to hide, just a room with shelves filled with canned food and other kitchen supplies.
My fingers trembling as I crouch down the little room with no where to hide. I prayed desperately that the wolf intoxia I’d applied on earlier would do its thing—mask my scent, confuse his wolf enough to keep hidden. Please, Moon Goddess, just this once, spare . Let get away.
My breath was shaky. I took a small peek through the hole on the door, half expecting to see Kane storming in the kitchen, his wolf’s eyes blazing with that infuriating determination. But the kitchen remained quiet, the hum of the refrigerator the only sound to accompany my frantic thoughts.
The intoxicating plant I’d scavenged from the forest had to work. I’d rubbed it over my arms, my legs—anywhere I thought he could track . But would it really be enough? Kane wasn’t just any wolf. He was an alpha with heightened senses, and his obsession with finding bordered on terrifying.
Still, I had to try.
But then, that voice. His voice again.
"Elena."
It ca from the living room—soft but commanding, almost like a whisper that carried a weight of inevitability. My entire body froze. My knees threatened to buckle, and I felt my breath hitch. No. He knows. He always knows.
My heart sank. Had he slled ? Heard ? Or was this just another one of his mind gas, trying to draw out like prey?
I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself from making a sound. I had to think fast. The intoxicant should still be working. If I stayed quiet, if I stayed calm, there was still a chance I could slip away unnoticed.
"Elena," he called again, this ti more firmly. There was sothing in his voice—a dangerous mix of frustration and amusent. As if he was toying with , enjoying the thrill of the chase.
I clenched my jaw, forcing my feet to move, inching my way out of the door. Every little step felt agonizingly slow, but I couldn’t go any further the mont he opened the door I would be dood.
Then I heard it—the sound of movent. He was off the couch, and he was coming.
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