Olivia’s POV
“We are here.”
I jerked in fright and looked around. Where was ‘here’?
With the speed at which Jonas was driving, thirty minutes was reduced to twenty-five.
I was in the middle of a book when he pulled up in front of a convenience store.
I set my book down and marvelled at its size-large enough to qualify for a mall.
“That was fast. I didn’t think that we would be here so soon.”
Jonas smiled at me and gave me a warm wink.
“You should probably thank Rick for his car once we get back home.”
I gave a light laugh and looked around. The sky had completely darkened, and the moon was peeping out from behind the clouds.
Grrrrr!
I placed my palms on my belly and rubbed it a little. I had completely forgotten how hungry I was once engrossed in my book. Now that I was out of my fantasy world, my body protested its discomfort.
Grrrrr!
Jonas looked at me, and I could tell that he was stifling a laugh.
“Did you swallow a monster recently? I have never heard a tummy growl like that before.”
I flushed red with embarrassment and turned my face away. I looked through the window and saw the bright store lights flood the dark sky. The windows were clear, and I could see people inside doing some shopping.
“You stay here while I go inside and grab some things. Is there anything in particular that you want?” I asked Jonas.
I needed to stretch my legs, and while looking forward to learning more about what happened to Papa, I couldn’t help the ache in my joints for sitting that long.
“Yeah. A bag of chips would be wonderful-the spicy ones. And a soda-something caffeinated. It’s going to be a long night drive. Someone has to stay awake. Here, you can pay for it on my card.”
He handed me his credit card, and I wasted no more time and hurried into the store.
I walked down the aisles, taking packed food and chips that could last us until we got to the nearest restaurant.
I grabbed a bag of Jonas’ spicy chips and saw a tin of cookies on one of the shelves. I was just about to pick it up when I felt the air around me still, and a shiver ran down my spine, making my hair stand on end.
I was terrified to look and soon heard footsteps shuffling towards me.
“Calm down, Olivia. Calm down. It’s probably nothing.”
My voice was shaky, and I couldn’t even convince myself that nothing was wrong. I closed my eyes tight, trying to summon the courage to look behind me. When I did, I instantly regretted my decision.
Six men stood staring at me, and I saw a lustful glint in their eyes. I could tell from their scent that they were werewolves.
No. My pheromones were out of control! But how? I had used my suppressants, and the moon was barely in the sky.
I dared not to turn around again and tried to do my shopping as fast as I could.
I hurried, grabbed random stuff, and ducked into another aisle. It was lonely and quiet, and I was hidden from all the glaring…
“My, my, my, aren’t you a pretty little thing…”
I gasped and turned around. A tall man stood staring at me with a mischievous grin. He began to play with my hair, but I smacked his hand away.
“Don’t touch me!”
I tried to turn away but was blocked by another guy.
“I think that it is in your best interest that you calm down”
He grabbed my hand roughly and pulled me close to him.
“Unless you want to be hurt as well.”
The six men surrounded me, and I was cornered. My heart was pounding even faster. They closed in on me, and I felt my body kick into fight mode. I felt Nima come alive in me, and my claws were extended.
I turned around sharply and took a swipe at the unlucky man who stood at me right.
My claws sank deep into his face and drew blood. The scent of it filled the air. The rest of my assailants were agitated, and they all rushed at me.
I clawed and scratched with all my might, trying to find an opening to escape.
I could hear the groans that filled the air every time my claws made contact with flesh.
“She is a little fighter, isn’t she?”
I suddenly felt a blunt blow to my head, and I crashed into a shelf, taking several contents down with me.
I felt something warm flow down my face. My arm was dotted with bright red blood, and I could feel my vision getting blurry.
A handkerchief was placed over my nose, and a sickly sweet smell filled it.
My head began to spin, and I felt the arm that held me let go of me, and I crumpled to the floor with a thud.
“You knocked her out. Good. Now, let’s get her… Arrgghh!”
Despite my failing vision, I saw a figure crumple to the ground in agony. Another one fell, and so did another.
My breathing weakened, but a familiar, alluring scent filled my nostrils.
“Mate,” Nima growled in my mind, and I stiffened.
“Mate? Is that…”
I was swallowed by darkness.