3. Bounty hunter

My head was pounding as I opened my eyes. I tried to move my hands but they were tied behind my back. As were my feet the rope coated in wolfsbane so was impossible to break even weakening my strength, what little I had. I was tied to a chair in a room with only one window that smelled of excrement, moth balls and a slight hint of oil.

"Finally awake I see."

I looked up as the man from the diner towered over me stepping into the light.

"What do you want from me?"

He chuckled as he circled me.

"I thought I made myself very clear though now it's too late because of you the small window I had to take down kianti is gone. All because of a pathetic little hybrid with no power one that can't even shift."

My fists clenched at his words.

"Oh yes I know who you are."

He bent down whispering in my ear as I tried to move away from him hating his stench.

"and because of you now I must wait til the next opportunity arises."

He bent down in front of me so that we were at eye level. His hand lifted my chin as he looked over my body.

"Pretty little thing aren't you? Too bad you won't be that way for long."

A tear escaped my eye.

"Please dont do this just let me go I have nothing to do with this."

What a mess alphas and their packs always came with their own drama. 

He back handed me across the face as I spat out blood from a split lip.

"Let you go?"

He chuckled.

"Now why would I do that?"

He stepped back as his eyes travelled my body.

"No wonder your family banished you I barely even sense wolf in you. How they put up with you as long as they did is beyond me."

I looked away as more tears made their way down my cheeks.

"Awe what's a matter sweat heart the truth hurt?."

I snapped my head back.

"Just kill me and be done with it!"

He laughed throwing his head back as his shoulders shook with the force of his humour.

"Why on earth would I kill you? Your worth more alive then dead. What luck to come here to hunt that pathetic excuse of an alpha only to find even bigger prey."

I gritted my teeth as I growled at him.

He turned away as he headed out the door.

"Get some sleep my dear you will provide a great deal of entertainment while I wait for another chance at the alpha. Then I'll hand both of you over."

The door closed behind him as my tears continued. How the hell did I end up here not that I knew where here was but in this situation. Not to mention why was there a bounty on my head? It didn't make sense I was a weak banished wolf who would be after me?

I needed a way out I needed to get back home. 

A small voice in my mind reasoned 

'you need to warn Kianti.'

I shook my head what? Why would I warn him? I had my own problems to deal with. Let these pack wolves figure out their own messes.

'You must warn Kianti.'

Argh enough! It doesn't matter what I do if I can't even get out of this chair.

'Nothing's stopping you from leaving this chair.'

What the hell was this voice in my head I must be going crazy. 

'Don't question it just believe. Your stronger then you know now do it break yourself free.'

Deciding that there was nothing to loose I started to pull against the ropes. The wolfsbane bit into my skin burning me as I applied all the force I had. Just when I was about to give up the rope snapped.

'Good now quickly before he returns untie your feet and go to the window.'

Untying my feet I stood up my head pounded causing me so use the chair for support. 

Foot steps sounded.

'Hurry the window now!'

Quickly I went to the window as I looked out into the night. We seemed to be in an abandoned factory three stories up.

'Jump Raven!'

'I can't'

I hissed.

'it's too high'

'Not for you now jump!'

Quickly I climbed onto the ledge just as the door swung open.

My eyes locked with the man who'd kid napped me.

"Now now we both know you won't make that fall girly not unless you wanna die."

He started closer before I could change my mind I leapt out of the window. As I fell instinct took over as the ground neared I bent my knees with my body lessening the impact of the fall. Looking towards the window as a loud growl roared down at me.

Smiling I took off at a run, I may have survived the fall but in wolf form he could easily catch up to me. It was only a matter of time before he took chase.

Once a hit the woods the dense trees helped to hide my escape but I more then anyone knew his sense of smell would be more then enough to track me. Slowing I extended my hearing til I found what I was looking for. 

There a river he can't track me in water all I had to do was get there. While my hearing was heightened I knew he had already reached the tree line. The good thing was we were still in Colorado though I hadn't been in this part before I knew the river I was aiming for would lead straight into town. From there I'd be able to find Loki.

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me til I could hear the rushing water. Quickly I jumped in, the icy touch of the river freezing my very bones.

'The log use the log to hide quickly he's coming.'

I did as the voice said just as a massive ruddy wolf skidded to a halt at the waters edge. I held onto the log watching as the wolf sniffed the air then ran along the stream. 

The adrenaline that had began running through my body started to dissipate as the cold water hit me like a rock. I started to panic, I leaned on the log trying to gain better footing just as it suddenly dislodged pulling me into the current.

Desperately I tried to fight my way back to shore but the current was too strong. It was no use I pulled myself up feeling myself succumb to the cold.

'Raven!'

My eyes started to close as my teeth started to chatter my exhaustion taking over.

'Raven you must stay awake!'

"I can't it's too cold."

My eyes closed of their own accord darkness shrouded my mind as I passed out the log slipping out of my hands.

————

"Raven!"

I voice pierced through the darkness.

"Come on!"

Pressure on my chest barely registered as lips touched my own breathing life into me. 

"Please Raven fight don't you let the goddess have you."

More pressure on my chest then more breath as suddenly my eyes snapped open as I rolled onto my side water spewing from my mouth.

I fell back to the ground panting as I turned towards my saviour.

"You!"

He smiled his blue eyes meeting mine.

"Come on reunions later I need to get you somewhere safe."

He stood lifting me into his arms, I was to exhausted to protest.

"Where can we go?"

My eyes had already started to close again as I whispered.

"Loki found Loki."

No sooner were the words out of my mouth that the darkness closed in again.

—————

I woke to yelling groaning I started to sit up hand to my pounding head.

"This is your fault Kianti you got her involved now they've found her."

"How was I to know it was her house it's not like I planed it."

"You may not have planned it but it happened and now you have made her a target."

"That was not my intention."

I stood up going to the door I knew I was in Loki's house as I had been here many times before. 

Loki and Kianti were in the kitchen Kianti trying to sooth Loki's anger. Til Loki slammed his fists down on the bench.

"Don't you think she's been through enough? now you gotta drag her down with you."

Kianti ran a hand through his hair as he sighed guilt showing clearly on his face. 

"It's not his fault Loki."

Both spun around so involved in their argument they didn't even notice me til now.

"Raven what are you doing up you need to rest."

Loki ran to my side as he inspected the various cuts and bruises on my face. I swiped him away.

"I'm fine he barely even touched me."

I turned to Kianti.

"He was after you he was a bounty hunter he said his client was paying a large sum for your head."

Kianti opened his mouth to talk but Loki cut him off.

"It doesn't matter pack business is just that pack business Kianti can deal with his own problems now let's get you back to bed."

Loki started to steer me towards the guest room when I Stepped away from him.

"It's not just him Loki the bounty hunter said there was also one on my head too only they want me alive."

"Like it or not she is now just as much a target as me the safest place for her is with my pack."

"No! Do you forget that she has been banished if she goes back there it won't just be this bounty hunter after her it'll be her family as well. No Ki you'll not take her back there."

"It'll only be til I find out who wants us. once I've eliminated the threat and killed the bounty hunter it'll be safe for her to come back."

Loki looked to me his thoughts warring inside his head. I had no idea what was going on but I knew one thing there was no way I was going back there.

I scowled at Kianti as I stepped away from both of them.

"There's no way I'm going back there this is your mess not mine the only reason the bounty hunters after me is because of you, because I helped you! "

By this point I was mere centimetres away from him as I looked up into his ever piercing blue eyes. 

"Now I wish like hell I didn't."

Kiantis eyes seemed to glow brighter as he grabbed my wrists.

"Watch it mutt don't forget your talking to an alpha."

I glared at him defiantly hating that name.

"Your not my alpha you dog."

He growled as his Canines grew.

"Raven!"

We stared each other down as Loki stepped in.

"Ki let her go she'll go with you."

Turning to Loki my look of betrayal said it all as Kianti let me go.

"No Loki if I go back I'm dead any way."

"Listen Raven I know this bounty hunter he's one of the best he will not stop til he's got both of you."

I stared at Loki clearly there was more to his past then I ever thought.

"How do you know him?"

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are safe and if that means protection from the blue moon pack then that's what you have to do."

"So what your going to smuggle me back into the city so I can wait around locked in a room somewhere so my family won't find out. You know wolves don't do well in cages."

"Normal wolves yes."

I slapped him growling he went to grab me again when Loki pulled me back out of the alphas reach.

"What did I say about controlling yourself."

I glowered at Kianti.

"I'm never going anywhere with you!"

Slowly Kianti stood to his full height as he looked down at me. 

"You will and you are."

His eyes glowed again I knew what he planned to do and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"Raven moon of the moon goddess pack as alpha of the blue moon pack I order you to accompany me to New York until such time as I say so."

I felt the order flowing into me and as much as I tried to fight it I couldn't. I found myself answering.

"Yes alpha."

He grinned as he towered over me drinking me in proud of himself for winning. 

"Think you've won do you well think again I'm going to make your life hell the whole time I'm made to stay in that god forsaken city."

He stepped closer as he whispered in my ear.

"Looking forward to it."