HUNTER:

NO! I nearly had her! I can't believe they got away. Aden howls as we both realize that we have just let our mate get away. My Beta, Zander finds me after I mind-link him my whereabouts. He brought me some clothes so I could shift back.

"THEY FUCKING GOT AWAY! HE TOOK MY MATE! I want patrols searching for them! Find out where that train is headed and find them!"

"Yes Alpha!"

Guards run off to carry out my orders. Zander looks at me and sighs.

"Hunter...I hate to be an asshole, but this is your fault."

"What did you just say?"

"Listen...you are my best friend. I say this because I am honest with you. You pushed her away. You beat her, and insulted her. Pushed your mistress in her face, and now you are surprised she ran away. I told you from the beginning. She is your mate. Was your mate. You fucked up buddy. You're without a mate, Luna, and a future heir for this pack."

"You're right. I fucked up. Now...I will find her and win her back."

Arianna:

I don't have any clothes to change into. There was no time to pack a bag. Mark literally found a couple of potato sacks in the car. He had to dump out the potatoes first, then slit a head hole and two armholes for me. I shifted and put it on. It just barely covered me down past my butt. Mark put one on as well. Wearing his like a skirt. We sat on the floor of the car after Mark managed to close the car door.

"Well, you do look good in a potato sack."

"Hardy har."

"Ari...you did amazing out there. I am proud of you."

"Mark...I'm tired, hungry, and thirsty. What are we gonna do?"

"I have a plan. We're headed off of Hunter's territory. We can ride this train until it reaches the Eastern territories. I have some friends that can help us."

"How long do you think?"

"Maybe six hours. We should try to rest. There's a lot to discuss, but we'll do that later."

I agreed. I was exhausted and didn't have the energy to talk anymore. Mark sat against a wooden crate and I laid my head in his lap. He brushed and stroked my hair, and I quickly fell asleep.

Before I knew it, Mark was waking me up.

"Ari...this is it, but we have to jump."

"Gotcha."

We shifted again, and Dean nudged me when it was time to jump. We lept from the train car. I tripped and rolled, but made it off okay. It was now dark outside, and thankfully, nobody was around. We quickly ran off into the nearby woods. Dean led the way, and we found ourselves coming to a stream. We stopped to drink. I was so thirsty. I didn't want to stop. I didn't notice that nearby us was a cabin. Dean nudged me, and signaled for me to stay here. I wasn't gonna argue. I laid down by the stream as he headed to the cabin. It was some time before I saw Mark coming back to me with a bundle in his hands.

"I found you some clothes. Hope they fit."

As always, Mark was a gentleman and turned as I shifted and changed into the clothes he gave me. They were a bit oversized and not very fashionable, but who was I to be picky?

"Done."

"Great. The cabin is empty. I don't suggest we stay there, but we can 'borrow' some food and supplies."

Great...now we're thieves. I didn't argue. I followed Mark back to the cabin and cautiously went inside.

"Let's just get what we need and get out of here. See what food you can find, and I'll see what supplies I can find."

"Okay."

I grabbed easy stuff to eat. Bottles of water, beef jerky, chips, granola bars, and some fruit. I found a bag to throw it in, and Mark came back out.

"I got a couple of blankets and some extra clothes. Let's get out of here and find someplace to camp out."

"Good idea."

We left and walked along the stream until Mark located a spot that he thought was safe enough to stop. We laid out the blankets and I pulled out the food. We were both really hungry and dug into our little banquet. We ate everything before we even started talking.

"Feeling any better?"

"Somewhat. I'm pretty tired."

"I know you are, but before you fall asleep on me, we need to talk."

"Go ahead."

"I have some friends who are not too far from here. They're rogues, but good people. There's no phones or electricity so we gotta find their campground. They'll help us. Also...if Alpha gets close to us, he'll be able to sense you. He still sees you as his mate and the bond is still there."

"You are right."

I think we're safe for now. I'm just glad he never marked you."

"I don't think that was his plan."

"You're probably right. We have some time. Let's find my friends first, then we can worry about that part."

"I trust you Mark."

"Tomorrow we'll find a town and get some better clothes and some food. I do have some money."

"At least you're prepared."

"I never thought I'd be doing this."

"Me neither."

Now that we were finally alone and safe from the Alpha, all I wanted was to be in Mark's arms. If I am going to let him mark me, Eva needs to feel his presence more and more.

"Mark?"

"Yes?"

"Kiss me."

He cupped my face and kissed me. I sighed as his arms went around my body. I pulled him down onto the blanket with me.

"Mark...touch me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...I want to feel your hands on me."

"Maybe next time. You look too tired. Besides, I want to save that for ...later."

Mark laid on his back so I could snuggle into him.

"You don't always have to be a gentleman."

"This isn't the right place or time for this. Get some sleep."

Luckily, the weather wasn't cold out and we were comfortable enough. He held me in his arms and I felt one last kiss to my forehead before I drifted off to sleep.