Taken by the Outcast Alpha (Whispers of Fate)

5. Finn

Chapter five

Finn

I carry my bag into the cramped motel room to ensure it is secure. My eyes are immediately drawn to the bed. It's a joke, right? That can't possibly be a queen. Hell, I've seen bigger twin beds. The walls feel like they're closing in, and Sage's scent hits me like a freight train as she squeezes past.

Fuck.

I've been fighting this all night. On the bike, her arms around me, it was torture. At dinner, I could barely focus on my food. Now, in this tiny room, there's no escape.

"I can sleep on the floor," Sage offers, her voice soft but determined.

I blink, thrown off guard. Is she serious? My mother would throttle me if I let that happen.

"Absolutely not," I growl, then wince at my harsh tone. "I mean, you paid for the room. The bed's yours."

Sage's eyes narrow, studying me. There's wariness there, a guardedness I've noticed all night. She's running from something, that much is clear. But what?

I clear my throat. "Look, I don't mean to pry, but... you've been on edge since we met. Checking over your shoulder, watching everyone. What's going on, Sage? Who are you hiding from?"

Her scent spikes with fear, and I have to clench my fists to keep from reaching out to her. My wolf is howling, desperate to protect, to comfort. But I can't. I don't even know her.

Sage takes a deep breath, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's... complicated."

I lean against the wall, trying to give her space in the confined room. "I've got time."

"Tomorrow it won't be your problem," Sage says, and the hurt in her voice is almost enough to break down every wall I've ever had.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. "What happens tomorrow?"

"You drop me off at the mechanic and go on to the rally." Her voice cracks slightly, and I catch a glimpse of tears in her hazel eyes before she turns and heads for the bathroom.

I stand there, frozen, as the door clicks shut. The sound of running water fills the silence, and I sink onto the edge of the bed, my head in my hands.

Maybe that was my plan initially when I first offered her the ride into town. But now? The thought of leaving her here, alone and vulnerable, makes my skin crawl.

What the hell changed?

A low growl rumbles in the back of my throat, startling me. My wolf hasn't involuntarily taken control like that since... hell, I can't remember when. Why now?

The scent of her shampoo wafts into the room, floral and intoxicating. Oh holy hell, she's coming back out after a shower. My heart races, and I stand up abruptly, pacing the small space.

Get it together, Silverclaw. You're an Alpha, for fuck's sake. Or you were.

The bathroom door opens, and Sage steps out in a cloud of steam. Her blond hair is damp, curling around her face, and she's wearing an oversized t-shirt that barely skims her thighs. The sight of her hits me like a punch to the gut.

I force myself to look away, focusing on a faded landscape print on the wall. "Listen, Sage," I start, my voice rougher than I intended. "I know I said I'd take you to the mechanic tomorrow, but..."

I swallow hard, my eyes still fixed on that damn landscape. "But... maybe you could come with me to the rally."

The silence that follows is deafening. I risk a glance at Sage, finding her eyes wide with surprise.

"What?" she breathes, her scent a mix of confusion and... something else I can't quite place.

I run a hand through my hair, struggling to find the right words. "For cover," I explain, my voice low. "The person you're looking over your shoulder for..." I pause, choosing my next words carefully. "They aren't looking for a couple."

Sage's eyebrows shoot up, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head. She crosses her arms, regarding me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"And what's in it for you?" she asks, her tone guarded.

I look down at my hands, suddenly finding it hard to meet her gaze. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure why I'm offering this. But something deep inside me, something primal and urgent, is screaming that I can't let her go.

"Maybe you aren't the only one who could use a good cover story," I admit quietly.

I hear Sage's sharp intake of breath and force myself to look up. Her hazel eyes are searching my face, and I feel completely exposed. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I've never once opened myself up to ask for help from anyone. Maybe that was part of the problem. I didn't truly have backup when the accusations started flying.

"What are you running from, Finn?" she asks softly.

The question hangs in the air between us, heavy with implications. I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat. She's human. How do I even begin to explain Pack politics?

The answer is simple. I don’t.

Even if some foreign part of me really fucking wants to.