Taken by the Outcast Alpha (Whispers of Fate)

13. Finn

Chapter thirteen

Finn

I feel my phone vibrate, and pulling it out of my pocket, I frown at the message from Derek. My fingers tap quickly across the screen as I read about his unsettling experience.

"Dangerous ride last night," his text reads. "Shifters lining the road, looking threatening. Watch yourself out there."

This isn't good. If Derek, a skilled Beta, felt uneasy, the situation must be serious. I type back a quick thanks, my mind already racing with possibilities.

Be careful out there, Derek's final message flashes on the screen.

I pocket the phone, turning to Sage, who's gathering her things. "We need to move," I say, my voice low and urgent. "There's trouble brewing."

Sage's eyes widen slightly, but she nods, quickly zipping up her bag. "What kind of trouble?"

"The shifter kind," I mutter, grabbing my jacket. "Let's get on the road. I'll fill you in as we go."

We check out of the motel in record time, my senses on high alert as we make our way to my bike. I secure our bags, then help Sage onto the back seat.

As we pull out onto the road, heading towards Mount Washington, I can't shake the feeling of unease. Sage's arms tighten around my waist, and I know she can sense my tension.

Her grip tightens, and I feel a surge of protectiveness. Whatever's coming, I won't let it harm her. We ride on, and the scenery blurs past us as we make our way towards Mount Washington, both of us hyper-aware of our surroundings.

I make a split-second decision as we approach the turnoff for Jackson. With Damien seemingly aware that Sage isn't alone anymore, the rally seems like a risk we can't afford to take. I veer onto a different road, bypassing Jackson entirely.

I stop the bike at the fork in the road and raise my visor. "Change of plans," I call over my shoulder to Sage. "We're steering clear of the rally."

I feel her nod against my back, her trust in my decision clear in the way she relaxes slightly. I accelerate down the less-traveled road, my stomach growls violently enough that I know, by the way she laughs into my shoulder, Sage felt it vibrate against the palm of her hands pressed to my stomach.

Realizing we've skipped both dinner and breakfast, I spot a roadside diner up ahead. The neon "OPEN" sign flickers invitingly, and I pull into the gravel parking lot. As a precaution, I park off to the side of the diner, mostly hidden by a truck.

"Lunch break," I announce as I cut the engine. "Can't keep running on empty."

Sage slides off the bike, removing her helmet and stretching her arms and shoulders. "Good call. I'm starving."

The bell above the door announces our arrival as we walk in. The place is nearly empty, save for a couple of truckers at the counter. A tired-looking waitress gestures for us to sit anywhere.

I choose a booth near the back, positioning myself so I can see both the entrance and the kitchen door. Old habits die hard, even when you're no longer leading a pack.

Sage slides in next to me, her thigh pressed against mine, "You aren't the only one who won't put their back to the door," she says as her eyes scan the laminated menu.

“What?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t trust me to keep you safe?”

She offers me a small smile. “I just feel a little more in control this way.”

I nod, processing her words. I can understand that, understand the need to control a situation that is entirely out of your hands in whatever way possible. She sighs and shakes her head, clearly trying to erase the subject. Then she says, "When I pictured my trip to Mount Washington, I didn't exactly imagine it involving high-speed chases and greasy spoon diners."

I chuckle. "Life's full of surprises, isn't it?"

The waitress ambles over, notepad in hand. "What'll it be?"

I order a double cheeseburger with extra fries, while Sage opts for a club sandwich. As the waitress walks away, I lean in, lowering my voice.

"So, about Mount Washington. What exactly are you planning to do there?"

I watch Sage as she stares at her hands, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the tabletop. The silence stretches between us, broken only by the clink of dishes and the indistinct murmur of conversation from the other diners. I focus on my soda, giving her time to gather her thoughts.

Finally, Sage takes a deep breath and looks up at me. "The reason I'm going to Mount Washington is to collect Moonflower Nectar," she says, her voice low but steady.

I lean in, intrigued. "Moonflower Nectar? Never heard of it."

"You would have if you were a witch. It's incredibly rare," Sage explains, her eyes lighting up with a mix of excitement and reverence. "It only blooms under specific conditions, and Mount Washington has the perfect microclimate for it."

I nod, encouraging her to continue.

"This nectar... it's not just any magical ingredient. It's potent stuff, Finn. My coven has been trying to get their hands on it for years." She pauses, a small smile playing on her lips. "But it's especially important to my cousin, Sylvie."

"Sylvie?" I prompt, sensing there's more to this story.

Sage's expression softens. "She's been like a sister to me. Sylvie’s been researching ways to enhance protection spells, and she believes the Moonflower Nectar is the key."

I feel a twinge of admiration for Sage's dedication. "So, you're risking a lot to help her out?"

She nods, her eyes meeting mine. "It's not just for Sylvie, though. This nectar... it could be a game-changer for our coven, too. And after everything that's happened with Damien, I could use some extra protection myself."

I feel a sudden, overwhelming need to comfort Sage. Her vulnerability, the weight of her mission, and the danger she's facing - it all hits me at once. But I'm at a loss. How do I offer comfort to someone I barely know, yet feel so inexplicably drawn to?

My hand twitches on the table, wanting to reach out and cover hers. But would she welcome that? Or would it make her uncomfortable? I've never been good at this sort of thing, even with pack members I've known for years.

Our food arrives and I find myself more focused on Sage than on my burger. She confuses me, challenges me, and intrigues me all at once. And for the first time in a long while, I find myself wanting to figure someone out, to truly understand them.

We finish our meals in comfortable silence, both lost in thought. As we walk out of the diner, the weight of our situation settles back on my shoulders. But there's something reassuring about Sage's presence beside me.

We're halfway to the front of the diner when I spot it - a familiar motorcycle parked under a tree. My heart rate picks up as I recognize Victor's ride. What the hell is he doing here? There's no good reason for him to be away from the Pack, especially not this far out.

Has word gotten back to Victor that I'm traveling with Sage? The timing seems too convenient to be a coincidence.

I keep my face neutral, not wanting to alert Sage or anyone watching. "Change of plans," I mutter under my breath. "Follow my lead."

Without breaking stride, I guide us towards a back exit of the diner's parking lot. Sage, to her credit, doesn't question me. She matches my pace, her body language relaxed despite the tension I can sense from her.

Going around the other side, I reach my bike, and start it up quickly. Instead of pulling out onto the main road, I take us through the back exit, in the opposite direction from where I saw Victor's bike. My mind races, trying to figure out our next move.

As we turn onto the main road a little ways down from the diner, my instincts flare. In my rear view mirror, I spot several figures on bikes, positioned in a way that screams 'ambush'. My heart pounds as I realize how close we came to riding right into their trap.

Without hesitation, I gun the engine, speeding us in the opposite direction. Sage's arms tighten around my waist as we accelerate, and I feel a surge of determination. Whatever's going on, whatever Victor and his crew are up to, I'm not about to let them get their hands on Sage or the Fate Weaver.