Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1)

T
ess Monroe drew her thin sweater tighter against her as she took in her surroundings. Leaves scuttled across the road, and the street lamps illuminated the sidewalk ahead. The area was completely deserted. But she knew all too well that just because you couldn’t see someone, it didn’t mean they weren’t there. The Hunters, an elite group of humans, still searched for her, and they wouldn’t stop until she was dead. Their purpose was to eradicate all shifters. She wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of killing her—not without one hell of a fight.

Her side throbbed with each step she took, her injury nowhere close to healed. The deep bullet wound above her hipbone was a painful reminder she’d already been involved in one devastating battle.

Tears pricked her eyes as she recalled the horrific night a few days ago. Shrill screams echoed in her ears. Her clothes still reeked of the inferno that had claimed most of her family. For all she knew every member of her pride—of her family was dead. She was alone. No. Someone made it out. Her sister and her sister’s mate had been ahead of her. Along with her sister-in-law and a few children. Tess had risked her life—been injured in the process—so the group could flee. They were safe. They had to be. And she would find them. Ohio. There was another pride there. She just needed to push on until she reached her destination.

She gritted her teeth determinedly as the wind picked up again. Tess shivered, the cool breeze chilling her to the bone. She continued down the cracked pavement, pulling her backpack tighter before wrapping her arms around herself to block out the icy night air. Hissing, she cursed under her breath as her movements pulled at her injured flesh. She forced deep breaths in through her nose as she fought to see through the white spots in her vision.
Stay focused. Keep moving.
It was late, and she was tired, hurt, and hungry. Fear spiked up her spine as she contemplated staying in the town for the evening. The longer she took to get to Ohio, the less chances of survival she had. Over the past few days, she’d shifted into her feline form twice, and her side hadn’t healed. There was only one reason a transition wouldn’t heal a shifter. Poison.

Ironically, that was the least of her worries. Hunters had been following her since she’d fled Washington. If she rested, they would find her. They could already be here, poised and ready to strike the second she let her guard down.

She bit her lip as her eyes darted along the abandoned street she walked. Her eyes narrowed, shifting into their feline form, searching for anything out of the ordinary. The surrounding area sharpened and she could see further, clearer than before. Though the area was quiet, she couldn’t suppress the gnawing sensation pitting in her stomach. It wasn’t safe here—it wasn’t safe anywhere. But her basic necessities had to take priority.

She needed to at least tend to the wound on her side—hopefully it wouldn’t get any worse—and after that she needed to eat something. Her belly rumbled loudly in agreement. If her pursuers caught up to her, she would need her strength to continue to evade them.
Run. Run. Run. That’s all I ever do.

Hopefully, her pursuers would give her ten minutes to eat a decent meal. It’d be better if she could get a full nights rest. But for now, she wanted to eat. The steady beat of music met her ears, and she followed the sound down the road. A dimly lit light flickered on a board.
Gordy’s Bar and Grill.
Her stomach twisted with hunger. She’d be happy to eat just about anything. Taking one last cautious look around, she shifted her eyes back to their human form and crossed the street.

Tess stepped inside the building and let the warm air envelop her. Her eyes noted the seated patrons. The restaurant was near empty at this hour. A couple sat in the corner, a group of three at a table and a man sat at the end of the bar. It should be safe to get a meal here—she hoped. The smell of greasy fries and grilled burgers beckoned to her senses, making her taste buds salivate. Burgers and fries, her favorite. Tess slid up onto a barstool and turned sideways so she could keep an eye on her back while waiting for the server.

The bartender was at the other end of the bar, refilling a drink as she spoke with her customer. Tess combed her fingers through her cinnamon hair as she waited, grumbling as her nails got snarled midway through. She disentangled her digits and smoothed out her messy locks as best she could. As she did, her eyes caught sight of herself in a mirror on the back of the bar.

What a mess. Dirt was smudged on her left cheek; her hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed in days—probably because it hadn’t been. The deep gash above her right eye had a dark blue bruise and dried, crusty blood around it. Her tired chartreuse eyes stared back at her and she sighed, glancing away.
I look as bad as I feel.

Her gaze drifted back to the waitress. The girl nodded at Tess and headed her way with a wide smile on her face. “Good evening,” she greeted, handing Tess a menu. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water,” she croaked out her voice barely audible from its lack of use the past few days. Tess cleared her throat. “Just water please.”

“Sure thing,” the woman smiled as her eyes roamed over Tess. “Are you from around here or passing through?” she asked as she scooped ice into a glass tumbler.

Tess hesitated, unsure if she should say anything, but there was something familiar about the woman that she couldn’t quite place. The girl definitely wasn’t a were animal. Shifters smelled different from humans, and each species had their own distinct scent.

“Is everything okay? Are you okay?” the woman asked, her brows rising up with concern when Tess didn’t answer her question.

Tess blinked, snapping out of her thoughts as the woman slid the water across the counter. “Yeah. It’s just been a long day,” she said, forcing a smile.
Jeesh, at least appear like you’re with it.
The last thing she needed was the waitress calling the cops because she was worried.
I look like I’ve been attacked or in an accident. Yeah because you were.

“Mine too. The night shift bartender called off, and I got stuck with the dining room and the bar all to my lonesome. At least it’s almost close. Speaking of, you should probably order before Louie shuts down the kitchen,” she advised.

Tess nodded as she stared down at the menu. “Can I get the bacon burger with fries?”

“Sure thing,” the waitress smiled, she moved a few steps over and entered some information into the computer. “You never told me if you were new to town or passing through?” she commented as she tapped her fingers across the screen.

“I’m passing through,” Tess mumbled, casting a glance around the bar. Everyone was still seated, sipping their drinks and eating their food.

“You headed anywhere in particular?” she asked, leaning against the counter.

Tess flicked her gaze to meet the bartenders. The woman was either friendly, conversational, or fishing for information and a threat. Tess scrutinized the girl taking her all the way in. The woman was definitely human. But she couldn’t shake that there was something off about her. Tess’ eyes fell on the white placard on her chest.
Eden.

“We get a lot of folks that stop in here on their trip, but not too many that stay.” Eden leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. “The guy on the ends been flirting with me all night and he’s made some suggestive and inappropriate comments. He’s passing through too, and he kind of creeps me out a little,” she admitted quietly.

Tess followed Eden’s gaze to the opposite end of the bar. The man waggled his brows at the waitress as he licked his lips.

“I see what you mean,” Tess commented. Being a werecat, the man wouldn’t give her any problems, she was stronger and faster than she looked—and downright lethal if needed. But she could see why a thin, short girl like Eden would be worried.

“Normally, I call my brother when a creeper is here, but he won’t be back in town until morning,” Eden confided.

Tess nodded in understanding. Her big brothers watched out for her too. Well, they had until a few nights ago. Now, she didn’t even know if they were alive. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest and she bit her lip, willing the tears that pooled in her eyes away.
Keep it together Tess. For all you know, they could be alive and searching for you. Have hope.

“Sometimes, he can be overprotective, but that’s what big brothers do, right?” Eden laughed.

Tess forced a smile and looked down at the counter.
Keep yourself composed. Eden’s making polite conversation and your family could be fine. No need to get all worked up. You’ll only draw attention to yourself that way.
She didn’t want to get into a deep conversation with a woman she barely knew, but there was no reason why she couldn’t be friendly. It’d be nice to talk to someone. Maybe for a few short minutes she could feel human again. “Yeah. I think it’s in The Big Brother Handbook.”

Eden chuckled. “I think my brother, Nate, wrote the manual. He’s overprotective, but his friend Xander is even worse.” Eden bit her lip and sighed as she sagged against the counter.

Tess sipped her water, noticing the sudden change in Eden’s demeanor.

“Xander...” Eden started and trailed off.

“Are you two together?” Tess asked curiously.

“No,” she answered quickly as her face reddened.

“My brothers would murder their friends if they ever showed any interest in me,” Tess whispered.

“Yeah. There’s the don’t date your friend’s little sister code too,” Eden shrugged.

Tess opened her mouth but a loud bing caused the waitress to turn and hurry to the counter. She walked back with a steaming plate in her hand. “Here you go. I’m sure you’re hungry. I’ll let you be so you can enjoy your dinner. Holler if you need anything,” Eden smiled as she slid the plate in front of Tess.

Tess nodded as she picked up the thick burger. She sunk her teeth into the juicy meat and suppressed a groan as she savored the taste. Her stomach gurgled loudly in appreciation. She had food, now she just needed to find a place to tend to her wounds and she would be good—at least for the moment.

***

N
ate dug his cell phone out of his pocket, instantly recognizing Eden’s melodic ringtone. He swiped his finger over the phone and pressed it to his ear. “Everything okay?” he greeted, clasping the phone tightly. Eden only called while he was away when there was a problem.

“I’m not sure,” she stated.

“Eden?” he inquired, motioning for his friend Xander to meet him at the car.

“There’s a female shifter here. I think she’s hurt,” Eden blurted.

“Is there anyone else there? Hunters?” Nate asked, running a hand through his hair. If the girl had been followed, Eden could be in danger if she tried to help. Damn it, he wished the pack would protect her. But Eden wasn’t one of them.

“No not that I can tell,” Eden replied.

He let out a long breath. “Keep your eyes open, Eden. They’ve likely been following her.”

“What should I do? We can’t just let her leave, Nate. She’s hurt—she’s one of us—one of you,” Eden protested.

“You are certain she is by herself?” he asked curiously. Most shifters preferred to be in a pack. Maybe she was a bear. Bears craved solitude.

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