Word Count: 1890

~Hunter

I leave the inn before dawn the next morning.

Before sleeping that night, I spent over an hour in the bath, scrubbing soap over my skin and into my hair until the smell of rubbish vanished completely from my body.

Now I'm dressed in fresh clothing I coerced off the inn keeper and making my way to Kaan's Pack border.

My first ride came from an older man who pulled over in his transport next to me, peering at me with a cautious stare. Being that he was the first person to show an interest in carting me around all day, I hopped in.

Thankfully he didn't ask any questions. He dropped me off about two hours into the trip, so I caught another ride with a sweet family.

They didn't seem to recognise me, but they were speaking about an alert circulating through the villagers that mentioned the Alpha's daughter making an escape.

They dropped me off right at the border, which I crossed with ease. I picked a place near a river, so all I had to do was swim over undetected.

Once I made it to the other side, I wandered along the edge of the forest, knowing Kaan estate is close to the border.

I make it to the village close to the estate by the middle of the day. I take a short break to air out my feet which are blistering from all the walking. My skin is sore to the touch from the feet, and I'm deadly thirsty.

After managing to convince a passer-by of my desperate need, I get some water before continue the last of my journey up to the estate.

The guards at the gate let me through with ease. Were I not aching from the long walk thus far, I would probably run for front door.

I let out a deep breath before I knock on the door.

One of the maids let me in, greeting me with a gushing smile. I can't even imagine the state of Kaan since I've been gone, and everyone would have had to deal with that.

"You've returned," a voice says, floating in from the top of the stairs.

It's Kaan's father, Cyrus, who steps down toward me deliberately. My blood turns cold at the sight of him, and for the first time since I was stolen away, I wish I wasn't here.

"Oh, Cyrus. Hello." I tuck my hands behind my back, wondering if I can get away with dodging around him and making a dash toward Kaan's room.

"Made quite the escape," he states, making it to the bottom step. "Your fathers Pack is on high alert. Too bad you already evaded him."

Father probably didn't think I would have made it so far so quickly, which was why there was a lack of soldiers near the border.

Once again, him he is paying the price for underestimating him.

"Did it once, did it twice and I could do it a third time," I respond simply, wiping my knotted hair off my face.

"Kaan will be very pleased you've returned."

I lift my shoulders. "He is my husband, after all."

"Lucky he didn't sign those annulment papers." Cyrus's smile is bland, lifeless.

Something tells me he didn't encourage Kaan to say no to my father's offer. In fact, he may have even demanding he sign the annulment papers.

"He would never do that," I grit out.

"If he knew what was right for his Pack, he would have," he muses, confirming my suspicions.

I stride forward, trying to reel in my anger, but it is bursting at the seams. "It was your idea to have us married."

Cyrus and his wife foiled all my plans to escape. Even though it worked out in my favour, it could have ended terribly. They clearly resent me for revealing to Kaan what they were using to blackmail me into staying here.

"Things have changed." His hands glide into his pockets. "Being an Alpha and having a mate is dangerous. It's a distraction."

"Him being happy isn't a distraction."

"I think it's best that from now on, you abide by our instructions without complaint, and don't lead our son astray."

His tone is cold, firm. It's more than just a warning. The consequences for not abiding by his instructions will be high, but after what I went through, I'm not going to negotiate. Kaan is the Alpha. What he says will be go now.

"Or what?"

"Or, we'll have to look at other options for your future here," he responds simply.

My back teeth grind together as I contemplate how good it would feel to hit him, even if he would feel obliged to hit me right back.

"Are you threatening me?"
 
"I'm advising you." His smile makes my stomach churn uncomfortably. "My son has an important job to do. If you interfere, there are other Alpha's interested in marrying you."

His words hit me in the stomach like a fist, but I quickly school my expression into neutrality. He's threatening to have me sent back to Vinn, which as he probably knows, is the worst threat he could use right now.

"I will never go back to Vinn," I hiss.

"It may not be your choice."

I open my mouth to spew out some foul words of protest, but a figure appear at the top of the stairs has me averting my gaze.

"Hunter?" Kaan says, his hand gripping the railing, his eyes widened with shock.

I turn to him, all the anger from my body releasing in a wave. I'm back, with my mate, who in this moment, is the only person in the world I want to see.

"I made it out," I tell him as he rushes down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Our bodies collide, his arms wrapping around me, lifting me off the ground. Cyrus is completely forgotten as I giggle, burying my face into his neck, letting his familiar scent wash away the last few, terrible days.

"I knew you could do it," he murmurs into my ear before pulling back, looking over me. "How did you manage to get out?"

I'm sure I look like a sorry state. All the walking has dampened my clothes and hair with sweat, my skin is dry from the heat and I'm not sure I can remain standing for much longer.

I glance at Cyrus, who watches on with a tight expression. "I'll tell you soon, when we are alone."

"Right." Kaan clears his throat, stepping away from me. "What did you say to her?"

"I was just welcoming her back," Cyrus states with a shrug.

"He didn't say anything Kaan. Let's just go." I tug on his sleeve, wanting privacy. Standing around, talking to Cyrus is the last thing I want. He can sully my mood tomorrow, but not right now.

Kaan looks reluctant, but leads me upstairs regardless. Once we make it to his room, the door closing, I launch myself into his arms again.

"I'm so happy to see you're okay," he breathes.

"He didn't hurt me, but if I stayed a moment longer, he probably would have," I admit, letting him twirl me around off my feet.

"I'm so glad your safe." He stands me back, gripping my arms so he can get a good look at me. "I heard word that your father and Vinn were hunting for you."

"They didn't manage to find me, clearly."

"It seemed like your brother was actively trying to inhibit your fathers efforts."

My brows raise with surprise. I wasn't expecting Levi to stand up for me, but perhaps his guilt finally got to him. Hopefully father won't notice, and won't punish him.

"Really?"

"Yes, but only from what I saw," Kaan explains. "So, how did you get out?"

I sit on the edge of his bed, slowly peeling my shoes off my feet. The rush off cool air on my skin has me breathing out in relief, seeing the red welts swelling up around my heels.

"In a rubbish cart. I don't really want to relive that, otherwise I'm going to throw up all over your floor," I tell him, screwing my face up at the memory.

I don't think I'll ever get the stench of rubbish out of my nose.

"It doesn't matter. I'm just so happy you're home," Kaan says, sitting beside me, turning my face so I'm looking at him. "You're never leaving me again."

I grin, my gaze dropping to his lips. "I don't plan on it."

His hand sweeps into my hair at the nape of my neck as he leans forward, his green eyes closing.

Just as our lips are about to touch, the door swings open violently, hitting the wall with a crack. I flinch, Kaan dropping his hand, turning to face the intruder.

"I knew I heard your voice!" Tay squeals, clapping her hands together as she jumps up and down.

I huff out a laugh, getting to my feet despite the aching limbs, letting her wrap her arms around me. "Tay, it's so good to see you."

"I'm so glad you're back, I thought you were dead!"

"Tay, my door was closed..." Kaan grumbles irritably as I pull away from his sister. She keeps an arm locked around my waist, which is probably a good thing, since I can feel myself wavering.

"Rules don't apply right now," Tay states, his smile beaming.

Kaan rolls his eyes, but even he can't help but laugh. We are all relieved I've returned.

"I guess so."

"We need to talk, I haven't seen you in days and it's been killing me," Tay states, grabbing my hands in a grip that tells me she isn't going to take no for an answer.

"But-"

"Quiet Kaan," she holds her hand up at him like she's trying to block him from her vision. "You get her for the rest of your life. Let me catch up with my best friend."

Kaan looks at me, his brows drawing together. "You're not injured? You don't need to go to the infirmary?"

I could do with a long, cold bath to soothe my skin and to get the sweat off, but I suppose that can wait until later in the evening. I've been wanting to see Tay too.

"No. In fact, my back feels so much better already," I admit.

If there was ever any doubt that the poison was coming from within these walls, it's now gone. The pain my back has melted away since being back with my father.

"Alright, you can get her for the rest of the day, as long as I get her tonight," Kaan states wickedly.

"Yuck, did not need the visual." Tay pulls a face before tugging on my arm. "Come on friend."

As she leads me to the door, I look back at my mate, whose shoulders are now relaxed, the stress falling away with every passing moment.

"I love you," I mouth.

He smiles gently. "I love you too."

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