It has been hours and I was getting really worried about Gavin, he was still sleeping. I didn't know enough about who or what we were to understand the healing process. He seemed to be in such a deep sleep that even when I dropped the water bottle on the floor he didn't budge. I went over and checked on him ever 20 minutes and he was breathing normally, I think it was normal at least. I know I said I didn't want any help and so far no one has come to my room but I kinda wished someone would. Just so I could have a second opinion. The plate I brought up for him still sat on the nightstand and didn't look that appetizing anymore. I must have been past dinner because my stomach started to growl.

I hated to leave him alone but I needed food and he would need some when he decided to wake up. Pacing the room for another 30 minutes and after the third time my stomach growled I decided food was a must. Looking over my shoulder one last time, I watched Gavin chest rise and fall in time with his breathing. The untouched plate of food in my hand I quietly and quickly left the room.

I was halfway down the stairs when I heard raised voices. Someone was arguing and seemed mad. Making sure my steps were even more silent I slowly moved down a few more steps. That was when the voices were clear enough to hear what they were saying and who was saying them.

"You promised!" C.J. said. Anger and hurt hung in his voice.

"Well things changed," James sounded annoyed and tired like he was done with the conversation.

"No. You said she would be mine. My mate. She is my mate and I want to do the ceremony now!" C.J. roared. Mate? Who's mate? I knew this was too important to miss so I stopped on the stairs and waited to hear more.

There was a low growl before James spoke. I was pretty sure the growl came from him. "You listen to me boy. You will do as I tell you. You will do as our Alpha commands of us without a word. You will not behaving a mating ceremony tonight and to be quite frank I doubt you ever will. She is too precious to be mated to a low ranking wolf. You will NEVER lay another hand on her again. Do you hear me!"

"There will be a mating ceremony," A new voice said. I knew that voice but from where? Just the sound of that raspy voice had my stomach in knots and my hair stood on end. "My mating ceremony. Boy, I do not know why you thought anyone would allow YOU to have such a gift. To be ruler of all. You are a mere boy who has temper tantrums like a toddler. You do not deserve such a bounty. No, I will be mating our fair Hunter tonight."

They were talking about me! I didn't know what to do, I couldn't move. I was shocked and scared. I had to get out of here but how? I didn't have time to make a decision. Before I could get my legs to move C.J. rounded the corner. I had no doubt that he knew I heard, the last bit at least. He skidded to a halt but recovered quickly. He took the stairs in a run, grabbed me around the waist and raced us up the stairs and into my room. I was in such shock that I let him.

In my room he put me on two feet than took the plate from my hand, placed it on the dresser and dragged me to the bathroom and closed the door. I stood there stunned and had nothing come to mind. C.J. paced in the small area and fumed. My fear started to reach through my foggy haze. I was scared and being locked in this small space with him did not help.

He stopped then reached into the shower and turned on the water then stepped in towards me. I backed up a stepped and he grabbed my by my upper arms and pulled me against his chest. "You have to leave. Now," He whispered furiously in my ear. I was about to say, no shit, but he went on. "They lied. They lied about everything." He released me so suddenly I stumbled back as he started to pace again.

"You were supposed to be mine, That was what they told me. That was the only reason I went along with this. We were supposed to be mated on the next full moon," He was rambling on more to himself then to me I think. "Well he can't have you. I will show them who is weak and not worthy." He kept going but his voice was so soft and he spoke so fast I couldn't get what he was saying.

My back was to the door now. I had slowly moved a half step every time his back was to me. I had my hand on the door knob and was ready to turn it and race out when C.J. had his back to me and at the other side of the room. Halfway through his pacing he turned and lunged at me. "Don't!" He growled in my face.

His eyes had changed to his wolf. I didn't trust C.J. at all and trusted his wolf even less. I didn't forget what he said to his dad downstairs and if I thought I was mistaken before he confirmed it just a few short minutes ago. He wanted me. He planned on mating me without even asking. He kidnapped me to have me all to himself.

He stared me down and I couldn't move. I was scared and his grip was too tight. I knew I would have bruises soon. It took most of my concentration not to whimper from the increasing pain. I think if he squeezed any tighter he might break a bone.

"Ok. Lets go. We are leaving. Hunter you have to stay close to me. The woods are filled with the pack. I can't fight them all so we are going to pretend we are going for a walk and when I say run you run your ass off and don't stop," C.J. informed me.

I wanted to argue but I was seriously out of options. I either go with C.J. now or be mated to whoever was downstairs. My options really sucked but I figured I had a better chance against one person then a whole pack. There was really no other choice. I nodded my head once and he loosened his grip. Pulling me closer I stiffened because I wasn't sure what he was about to do. I was relieved when he just moved me out of the way to open the door.

Leaving the shower on he grabbed a tight hold of my wrist and led me to the balcony doors. I followed for 2 steps before I stopped and looked at the now awake Gavin. He looked at me with a small sad smile on his face. "Go! Run!" I seen his lips move more then I heard a sound coming from him.

C.J. bent over and whispered in my ear. "We can't take him. We won't make it. It's either we leave now or you stay and be the Alpha's mate." That was one hell of a choice.

Gavin struggled to sit up. C,J,'s grip on my wrist tightened, refusing to let me go to the only man I think I trusted in this house. "Now!" Gavin whispered furiously.

C.J. pulled my arm hard and I moved. Sneaking out on the balcony, staying low to the ground so he could look out between the railing. Whatever he seen or didn't see had him jump up and straddle the rail. Pulling me forward he lifted me by the waist and over the rail. "Bend your knees when you land," he whispered before he let me go. It happened so quick I couldn't scream. Later I would be thankful for that but right now I wasn't.

I, somehow, remembered to bend my knees and the landing was perfect. Well I didn't break anything nor did I fall so it was pretty perfect for me. A second later C.J. landed beside me. WIth out missing a beat he pulled me along the house and away from the kitchen patio door and we walked briskly.

Looking around the corner he nodded and dragged me out towards the back and to the woods. I was too scared to look over my shoulder and I didn't fight him so we walked side by side. Once we were in the middle of the yard he pushed me a little ahead of him and let go of my wrist. I guess if anyone seeing him pull me around would have raised some flags. I was just happy to have my arm back to myself. I had enough control and kept the same pace as we made it to the treeline. That was half the battle, I hoped. Now we had to get past the men that kept watch in the woods

Maybe about 20 minutes C.J. spoke for the first time since we left. His voice startled me enough to make me jump. "Thanks for asking me to go for a walk, Hunter. It is a beautiful evening."

What the hell? I did not ask him to go for a walk. Hell he dragged me out here. Sure my options were limited but still. I almost said as much when I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Duh, I was a bit slow. "Thank you for coming with me," I said trying to add as much cheer as I could. I wasn't a great actress by no means but it wasn't too bad.

For the next couple hours we did our little small talk when we either knew a pack member was nearby or thought there may have been. It was taking us much longer to get wherever C.J. had planned because we couldn't take the direct route. By then we were getting antsy. I figured it was only a matter of time before someone came looking for me. Once they knew I was not in my room and realized that C.J. was gone as well it would not take them long to put two and two together

C.J. grabbed my wrist and slammed us to a halt. Looking around I could see the concern and confusion on his face. The sun was setting but it wasn't dark yet so we still had a decent view of our surrounding. "Something is wrong, "he said and I was about to ask him what but he spoke first. "At least half of the wolves out here are moving back towards the house and fast."

How did he know this? As if he knew what I was thinking he said, "Listen." I didn't have to listen for long because right then there was a howl. "Shit! We are being attacked!" C.J. said pulling me into a run, further from the house.

If we were being attacked who else could it be but the others. We needed to go back!

They came for us! A small voice echoed in my head.

Luna? It has been days since I had heard from her. Sure I tried a couple times but never got a response plus I had other things on my mind. Where have you been!

Sleeping. Cage. She sounded groggy still. I thought of everything that had happened since the last time that I remembered hearing her. When was that? The cave I think.

Ah. I see. I think she was referring to my internal struggle on who to trust. I now knew that C.J. and this pack was not in the running, between the mating ceremony and the condition I found Gavin in had my mind convinced. But I still wasn't sure about the others. Not like I have thought about it mush since we arrived here. Luna did understand and I was grateful that she didn't demand Nikko and actually thought about it.

We are with the traitor now? She already knew the answer to that question but like me she was wondering what was the best thing to do. Run away from the attack with C.J. or go back. Going back had a couple problems: we would get stuck in the middle and there was a chance that it was another pack that was attacking and not the ones who I knew. I figured that would be my luck.

We just weren't sure so we ran with CJ until we decided or fate chose for us. I guess it was fate that chose.

"Where the hell do you think you are going?" A very cold but familiar voice said as a shadow stepped out from behind a large tree. "I see you obey just as much as your mother did. Now you will end up just as she had."

C.J. pulled us to a stop and stared at the man who blocked our way. His father.