Saving Kinsley
Emergence

Kinsley’s P.O.V

It was well into the middle of the night now, the moon at its peak in the sky where stars littered its space. We had to at least be a state away from the pack by now. A few hours ago we passed through another river to cover our scents. Eventually, our run began to slow to a stop.

Noah shifted “Should be safe enough to rest a few hours. We should be coming close to a pack territory soon, hopefully, one that doesn’t have ties with Sallow.” His tone was wary. Justified as such, because I was too. If we came across a pack that was allied with Sallow, we could kiss our lives goodbye. There would be no surviving The Alpha a second time.

I nodded my head and collapsed to the ground below. Instantly my eyes fell shut, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept longer than a few minutes. I could feel Vivi circle in beside me and lay next to my side with an exhausted huff. Out of the three of us, this journey was taking its toll on Vivi the most. Noah paced around us in wolf form, standing watch. It seemed like an alternating routine between the two of us. He was an experienced wolf, a trained enforcer, a Beta. And this wasn’t my first time in the woods without a pack. Hopefully, the fates would be on our side, allow us to replace a pack without any troubles along the way.

My mind calmed, and I drifted into the black abyss inside.

What felt like minutes later something brushed my paw, instantly my eyes flew open. Noah’s face greeted me, “I’m going to go hunt something real quick, we need food if we plan on moving again.” His deep voice carried to me in a whisper as he looked over to Vivi. I could see he too, was concerned for her. I nodded and stretched my limbs and stood in a standing position.

“Keep watch, I’ll be within earshot. Howl if you hear anything.” Noah shifted and took off further into the wooded area.

The moon was bright, illuminating the dark. The woods silent, except for all the nocturnal creatures. I could hear flaps of an owl’s wings, hunting for its prey. I couldn’t hear Noah, but I knew he was close.

A twig snapped in the distance, the sound was of a thicker branch being broken. The biggest predator in these woods were only wolves.

My hackles rose and I turned to face the direction of the sound.

It could be Noah, but it could also be a Rogue. Or an Enforcer. I couldn’t risk the assumption of it being Noah.

I crept close to Vivi, brushing a paw against hers to wake her. Her eyes opened taking in her surroundings and looking up at me. I didn’t move, I kept my gaze traveling through the woods, analyzing, waiting for the threat.

Come on Noah, where are you.

He should be back by now.

As soon as I thought that, a wolf broke through the wooded area, directly in my sights.

This wolf was not Noah. From within the shadows, the mass of a wolf looked around my size.

My jaws pulled back into a sneer and I released a warning growl. Vivi moved behind me, letting out a growl of her own. The wolf before us snarled, creeping closer.

'Wait, something about him is familiar.' Ember’s voice filled my mind, almost startling me. It’s been a while since I’ve heard her voice anything more than a growl. I guess both of us on edge caused us not to converse as much lately.

The wolf moved closer to us, stopping in the moonlight breaking through the trees. A large brown wolf, with copper brown eyes. Something seemed familiar.

Neither of us were no longer warning each other off. Suddenly, he shifted.

Shit, Calum.

“I don’t mean any harm, but you’re trespassing you need to leave.” His voice was weary, holding eye contact with me. I shifted immediately.

“Calum!” I sprinted towards him, just steps away from him a loud menacing growl sounded from behind me.

I whirled around and Noah was right behind me, his gaze locked on Calum.

“Wait, Noah! I know him!” Noah stopped, looking at me and then back to Calum. His wolfish eyes scrutinizing the male in front of us.

“Kinsley? Is that you? Holy shit, what the hell happened to you! You just disappeared, we’ve been looking for you!” Calum stepped forward, quickly wrapping me in his arms. My heart lurched, they’d been looking for me?

“Come on, Tate will want to see you. And your friends?” Calum’s eyes went over to Vivi and Noah with a raised brow.

Noah shifted, "Is it safe here Kinsley?" His gruff voice was directed for me, but his eyes never left Calum.

“Yes, for now.” I nodded at him.

“For now?” Calum asked as his brows drew in. I let out a sigh, “Long story, we need to see Tate, like now. You guys still have that tonic?” I asked and Calum nodded his head.

“Tonic?” Noah asked, confusion written across his face.

“Yeah, it’ll mask our scents? I think.” I turned to Calum, questioning him.

“Come on, whatever you’re running from we’ve got ya covered.” Calum said before shifting.

Both Noah and I shifted and all of us followed after him.

We stopped by my apartment first, walking through, it was as if I never left. Everything was left the way I had left it. I quickly grabbed clothes for Vivi and I, “Here, put these on.” I passed her a hoodie and some yoga pants.

Calum handed clothes off to Noah, and he thanked him.

Walking into the tavern, a few people hovered around the pool tables, chatting and laughing. “Kinsley! Holy hell woman, where have you been?” Tate’s voice boomed from behind the bar counter before he leapt over the top.

I was crushed in his embrace, I let out a small chuckle. “Oh ya know, getting kidnapped by my ex-Mate. The usual.” I shrugged. Honestly, It was a bit strange that they seemed to have missed me. They knew me all but of a few days, and yet these perfect strangers welcomed me back with caring hearts. And yet, here I was again, my heart an empty void.

Tate stepped back and folded his arms “Yeah I’m gonna need to hear that story, but first, let’s get you guys taken care of. Follow me.” Tate jerked his head in the direction of the bar.

The four of us sat at the bar as Tate made quick work to mix Three drinks. I raised my brow “Uh Tate? As much as I’d love a drink right now-” Tate’s hand went up encouraging me to stop talking, “Calum told me ya guys needed the tonic.” He placed the drinks in front of us, a green hue swirling with yellows and pinks. Noah raised his brow in question, silently asking if this was safe. These two never gave me any reason not to trust them. After all, I saw first hand with Calum this shit worked. And we needed to mask our scents. I shrugged my response to Noah “To new beginnings” Raising the glass in the air, a plead to the fates, I threw the drink back. The liquid was cool, but warmed my entire body and was flavorless at the same time.

Noah took a deep breath in “Wow, I can’t scent you anymore.” His eyebrows raised as he looked at me. “Old recipe from an even older friend.” Tate cracked a light smile as Noah and Vivi drank the tonic, clearing the glasses of its colorful contents.

The rest of the late-night was spent catching both Calum and Tate up on my.. Kidnap and Escape? Yeah, it was weird explaining everything. While we chatted, Tate informed us that there were two available units in the same building as my apartment that Vivi and Noah could use until we decided if we'd be staying or leaving. Tate was confident that no one would replace us.

Maybe, we could start a life here.

I looked at Vivi and Noah. Noah never taking his eyes from her, and Vivi's eyes traveled everywhere, soaking in the new scenery. This is the life she's always wanted, to be free. A life she deserved, to just be happy.

Maybe.