Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) Read Online Free

fine,” she insisted.
    “Let her go,” Xander shrugged.
    “No,” Eden said, stepping in front of Tess. “You’re hurt. You passed out last night. What if someone catches up to you? Do you even know where you are going?”
    “She said she’d be fine,” Xander replied.
    Nate clenched his jaw. Werecats and Werewolves had a long-standing feud. It would cause an uproar to bring her into Sanctuary, but things had changed recently. Hunters were everywhere and were no doubt the cause of the werecats injuries. They couldn’t let her leave—he couldn’t let her leave. Why? Why couldn’t he let her go? He didn’t have an answer. Sure, Tess was attractive, but that didn’t explain why he needed her to stay. He could worry about that later. Right now, Tess required medical care, and he was going to see that she got it.
    “Nate, please,” Eden pleaded looking between him and Tess.
    The werecat had walked to the bed, and taken a seat on the plush purple comforter. She moved slowly and deliberately as she slipped her socks and shoes on. When she stood up, there was a fine sheen of sweat on her brow. He couldn’t let her leave. She probably wouldn’t make it out of town. If she collapsed and was brought to a human hospital that would only draw further attention to the shifter community. Attention they did not need.
    “You’re hurt and there are hunters all over the area,” he explained, before turning to Xander. “We can’t risk her collapsing and being taken to a hospital. Protecting our species from people is important. We should take her before the council. There could be more going on than meets the eye.”
    Xander let out a long breath and eyed the feline wearily. “Fine. But this is on you.”
    “Thank you,” Eden sighed.
    “I’m not going,” Tess snapped, her eyes flicking between the two wolves, the door, and the window.
    “There are lots of shifters at Sanctuary: wolves, bears, snakes, and birds,” Eden explained.
    “Things have changed in the past decade. Shifters have come to realize we need to work together against our common enemy,” Nate coaxed. He wasn’t sure that the truce extended to werecats, but it was worth a shot.
    Tess tripped over her feet, wobbling as if she were going to pass out. Her face was pale—too pale. “Fine. I will go with you,” she whispered quietly.
    Nate nodded. He just hoped this wasn’t a mistake. There was a long-standing war between the wolves and the cats and though his generation hadn’t been involved, he suspected the older wolves wouldn’t take kindly to her being there. I guess I’ll just have to convince them otherwise. Yeah. That will be an easy task.
    ***
    T he trees and brush whirled by in a blur as the car flew down the back country roads. Tess tried to focus on the landmarks so she’d know where they were going, but her brain refused to work. Everything spun, and it took every ounce of strength she had to stay coherent. The poison was taking its toll. She just hoped she hadn’t waited too long to get help—not like she’d had much choice in the matter.
    Nate and Xander talked in the front seat, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. She clasped her hands tightly together and dug her nails into her palms to keep herself awake.
    If she passed out, who knows what would happen to her. Nate she trusted—she couldn’t explain why. Everyone else, not so much. Her eyes flicked to Nate. There were two of him, but that didn’t stop her from staring. She’d had a similar reaction to Eden the night before. But why? What did it mean? How could she trust two complete strangers so easily?
    She was pulled from her thoughts when the car lurched to one side. Tess squinted as the vehicle bounced up and down. They weren’t on a road anymore. Tire tracks wound up the hill they were on and disappeared into the thick trees.
    Tess drew in a deep breath as they entered the shelter of the brush. The scent of grass, leaves, dirt, and animals assaulted