CHAPTER 3
KENDRA's POV -->
The second I opened my eyes, a beam of bright light shone on my face.
"Arghh," I moan.
Everywhere hurts. Feels like I was running over by a truck. I observe my surroundings. I'm back home, in my room.
"How…" The memories come flooding back. All the events from the night before. At least I hope it's last night. The last time I was in this situation, I ended up being unconscious for days at a complete stranger's home. That's right, Zach…
I remember his words, how he promised me freedom. I also remember what a complete jackass he was for leaving me to fend for myself on a full moon.
"Asshole."
The full moon…
I look towards the alarm clock on my dresser.
"Tuesday, 11:00 a.m."
It reads.
That settles one mystery. This month's full moon is meant to occur… at least I haven't been unconscious too long.
"Urghhh, why does my back hurt so much?"
Just then, memories of my actual time in the woods come back. I remember being on that tree, falling, that feeling that your life is almost over…
And then I remember Aaron… or at least I think it was Aaron. I've never actually seen his wolf form — more evidence of how much of a sham our marriage truly is. We even stay in separate rooms.
But it had to be Aaron. The wolf that saved me was definitely an alpha, just by its sheer size alone. I mean, what other alpha would go through the trouble if not him?
Enough with overthinking it. If I want answers, I'm just going to have to go to the source of my confusion. With all my might, I struggle to get off the bed. My body hurts so bad, but I just endure the pain as I make my way out of the room. Luckily, I fell on a pile of dried leaves; otherwise, my fall would have been more devastating.
The distance between my room and Aaron's never seemed so long before, but today it seemed like the hall stretched endlessly. The pain in my bones grew with each step, now accompanied by a growing feeling in my tummy, almost as if I want to throw up. Regardless, I persevered. My questions must be answered one way or another.
The closer I got, the more the doorframe came into view. One more step, then another, and I'd be there. A muted laughter drifted down the hall, so faint I almost thought I'd imagined it. The closer I got, the more the sound grew. Until I was just outside the door, peeking into the room through the small slit left by it being partially closed.
My heart tightened.
I hesitated, blinking against the sting in my eyes. Maybe he had the TV on, maybe…
The thought shattered the moment two figures came into view.
He was there. Half-naked. His broad shoulders gleamed with sweat under the dim lamplight, hair disheveled like hands had been in it. And there she was, Claudia — Mrs. Jenkins' daughter. The same woman I had suspected him of having an affair with, standing in front of him in nothing but black lingerie, her bare skin catching the glow like a cruel spotlight.
Claudia laughed softly, a sound sharp enough to cut, before leaning closer, her hands clutching his jaw, his chest.
The pain in my abdomen flared, but it was nothing compared to the hollow ache tearing through my chest.
My lips parted, but no sound came out. I just stood there, frozen, as the room seemed to tilt around me.
The floor creaked beneath my weight.
His head snapped up.
Our eyes met — his wide with shock, mine dull with disbelief.
For a long, breathless moment, none of us moved.
I reacted first, breaking the face lock we had found ourselves in. I turned and ran, as fast as my aching body would let me. I heard him calling out to me, but for what? So, he could break my heart further?
I get back to my room and slam the door shut behind me.
I burst into uncontrollable sobs. To be honest, I don't really know why this affects me so much. I knew from the get-go this would be a loveless marriage, but why does his infidelity sting so bad?
I lay there for a few more hours, tears still flowing freely from the corners of my eyes.
It's 6 p.m. by this point. I feel numb. I pick up my phone, which I guess was retrieved from the dinner that night, to make a call.
"Shit, I never got his number."
No matter. I grab a duffel bag and pack all the essentials — passports, some clothes, and cash. Lots and lots of cash. I'd need a lot if I'm going to survive on my own for the next few days. Screw Aaron and his wife. Today just made me realize I need to leave him permanently, and when you've been chosen to be the alpha's mate… there's only one way to leave that union. In death. So, either he or I would need to die. And I sure am not going to let it be me.
I need Zach.
How do you find a guy who kidnapped you? The guy is insane. I know he must be watching me somehow; all I need to do is make myself accessible. For that, I need to escape from the surveillance of Aaron's men.
Once it's midnight, I make my move.
I know the security personnel make their shift by this time, so now is my only opening. Aaron is not around either, so I don't need to worry about him catching me. Once I see an opening, I make a run for it. Luckily, I'm not caught, and not long after, I'm on my merry way to Lord knows where.
I catch a cab and ask the driver to take me to the shadiest motel he can think of. An odd request, I know, but something tells me that's the kind of place scum like Zach would hang out in. Hearing the words leave my mouth makes me second-guess my decision to form an alliance with Zach. I mean, if I really do consider him scum, who's to say he won't stab me in the back the first chance he gets?
Exhale, inhale, Kendra.
Any fate is better than being used as a puppet by your father and husband.
I check into the motel. It's quite obvious I don't belong in such a sketchy environment. Even the receptionist gives me a dirty look.
Just do your job, lady! Sheesh.
She hands me the keys, which I later use to access my room on the first floor.
"Room 209… Found it."
I twist the key in the keyhole, then twist the knob. Surprisingly, the interior of the room is not as shabby as the outside. Nothing fancy, but at least it's got all the basics to survive. It's comfortable enough, but I don't look forward to staying more than a day — two days, tops.
Guess who ended up staying in that shabby hotel for not one, not two, but four days. Yayyyy. Note the sarcasm. I told Aaron I was off with some friends, and of course, he didn't bother asking further questions. Why would he? We never spoke of what I witnessed that afternoon, and frankly, I don't want to revisit that memory. It's just too painful. Frustrated from being indoors all day, I head out on a walk, just to clear my head.
It wasn't my first walk around the neighborhood. From what I could tell, it was pretty safe. The kind of place men go if they have to meet a secret lover or the kind of place where prostitution is almost normal, but aside from that, there was no real danger here.
I hadn't planned on walking this far — just long enough to clear my head from this heaviness I feel. Seems I had more burden within me than I realized because I found myself quite a considerable distance from my motel. The area felt different tonight, silence filling the air. Nothing else could be heard except the wind brushing against leaves and my sandals clicking against the pavement, something which brought mild comfort. Until I heard it…
Another sound. Footsteps.
The hair on my arms prickled.
"Probably nothing," I assured myself.
Then it came again, this time as if the owner of the footsteps picked up pace. From light taps, it became loud stomps, each step sounding louder than the last.
My heart began drumming faster. I couldn't take it anymore, I took to my heels, the perpetrator fast on my trail. I take a turn at the corner up front, thinking it'd lead me to a shortcut. Instead, it just leads me to a dead end. Now cornered, I turn to meet who this person is — for the third time this month, finding myself in a difficult situation.
It's…
It's…
Zachary Young??