24: Warning

Josh's POV

The forest was dark and cold, in an almost unforgiving manner. It was like the forest knew what I was doing, and the forest knows it's stupid. There's no way we're going to get away with this.

I shiver, from the cold or from anticipation - I don't know. My stomach turns and I resist the urge to vomit as I squint, looking in towards the pack I was hoping I'd never have to see again. 6 years, I've endured the abuse. 6 years, the pack members ignored the bruises. 6 years, I've lied through my teeth that everything was fine to Alpha's from outside the pack on the occasion that they visited. 

"Jacob. . ." I whisper into the night, "Where are you?" He promised me he'd be here at half past 1. I look at my watch. 1:47. What if Alpha Henry found him? He's been suspicious of him since the beginning. . . 

The grass was dying at this time of year and so was the foliage of the trees. It didn't leave a lot of coverage and I definitely shouldn't be peaking out from the tree like I was. I couldn't help it. I can't leave without him. I wouldn't know where to go. Plus. . . I can't leave without him. The smell of coffee hits me and I turn over my shoulder, body sagging with relief at the sight of the handsome brunette. His hair is lighter and shorter than mine. I'd been growing my own out ever since Jacob assured me that I would look good with it, despite Alpha Henry's comments. I'd always liked my hair a bit longer, the feeling of wind or hands running through it was. . so nice. . . Jacob smiles at me, bright and brilliant. "Where were you?" I let my hand cup his cheek and he leans into my hold, grabbing my wrist and pulling it to his lips for a soft kiss to my pulse point. 

"I got caught up in the kitchen, realized we might need some provisions to get us as far as possible the first few days." He kisses my nose. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I melt. I'm sorry. He said he's sorry. Jacob is only like this with me. I've seen him interact with other people, I remember how he used to treat me - when he first met me. Cold. Distant. I can't remember now if the switch was sudden or gradual, maybe a bit of both? I know that either way. . I love him. And when we're safely far away, maybe I'll tell him. I don't want to scare him off too fast. He never said what would happen long term. And he has a mate out there. . . "Get out of your head, Josh." He kisses my nose again and I blink.

"Sor-"

"You little shits!" I freeze at the voice I was hoping to never hear again. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Jacob freezes briefly before spinning around, putting a hand behind his back. I grab onto his hand, my heart rate racing. 

"I'm taking him. Far away from you," Jacob says angrily. His hold on my hand tightens. 

"You think you can escape me?" Alpha Henry's cold blue gaze is locked on mine.

"Fuck you," my voice quivers as I spit out the words. 

"You're gonna pay for that." His hand reaches out, ripping Jacob away from me. Jacob flails to the side and Alpha Henry smashes his body into a tree. No. That's not- I breathe in heavily as Alpha Henry once again smashes Jacob into the tree. That's not how it went - I'm frozen on the spot as Jacob spits out blood. Jacob - That's not - 

I feel tears pooling down my face as blood begins to cover Jacobs face and side. I beg my body to move forward but it's like the earth has swallowed my feet, forcing me to watch as the man I love falls to the ground, no movement in his body. Alpha Henry's eyes are shining in the night as he snarls and makes his way to me. "You'll never escape me."

I shoot up in bed, my heart pounding rapidly. Never escape him is true in a way. While I know that he'll never be able to lay a hand on me again, he haunts my every nightmare. Something wet hits my hand and I put a shaky hand to my face to feel the tears staining my cheeks. 

I scramble out of bed, my heart needing some reassurance. Reassurance that even if the nightmare was a twisted memory, it's twisted too far from the truth. Jacob is okay. He's fine. He's better than fine, he's safe. Both of us are. My hands are shaky and fail at getting the blanket off of me for several swipes. A sob leaves my lip at my second failed attempt; I trip to the floor. I angrily kick the blanket away from my feet and push myself to a standing position. 

Jacob's room is right across the hall from mine and I knock quietly as a warning of my entrance. Shoving the door open, Jacob wearily rubs his eyes as he sits up in bed. "Josh? Are you okay?" I shake my head, tears still streaming down my cheek. "Come here, baby." I break at his soft words, practically throwing myself into his hold on his bed. "Which one was it this time?"

"The night we left," I whisper. 

"Ah, did I make it out this time?" There's a joking tone to his words and I want to slap him for it. 

"No." I cuddle into his chest, he's so warm, as the tears begin to subside. "You never do." My hands wander up and down his arms as my legs tighten their hold around him.

"Well that's awfully rude, you should give me more credit than that." His voice is cocky and for that I slap his arm. "Hey," rough lips meet my brow bone. "We're okay now," another kiss to my cheekbone. "You know that, right?" This time his lips softly press against the corner of mine. I turn my head, fully capturing his lips in a soft and delicate kiss. The fact that he lets it remain as such shows his concern for me at the moment. 

"I know." I give a sigh and rest my forehead on his bare chest, his hands wrap around my lower waist as I knead his forearms. "But. . . If we're so safe, how come we stay so secretive?" He sighs at the turn of conversation. I don't blame him for his annoyance, I bring it up quite a lot. And it seems I've been bringing it up more recently. Seeing Xavier so smitten over his love makes me want to express mine. Jacob always insisted we keep it to ourselves, saying we didn't want to complicate the situation more. It's one thing to run from your past in the werewolf community, it's another thing to run from your mate. And while I was technically in the clear, Jacob not so much. 

"You know what they could say, they could try to separate us," he reasons.

I shake my head, "Xavier wouldn't do that."

"He's an Alpha, he answers to more than his own wants and opinions." I go quiet, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry baby," he nudges my nose with his own. "I'm happy now. With you. Here with me. I just - I don't want to risk it for more."

"I want cute dates," I reason in a whisper/whine. "And I want every warrior to know that their big bad, third-in-command is a romantic."

"Absolutely not," he says back. "I can't come off as anything less than sturdy and strong."

I lift my head up so I can look directly in his eyes, "You would never let them think otherwise." I kiss his cheek. The look in his eyes remains serious. "Okay Mr. Tough Guy, I get it. You big wuss," I mumble the last part. 

"What did you just call me?"

"Nothing!" His harsh kiss was more of a warning.