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daughter like cattle.”
    “Cattle?  Geez,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    “You need to go.  I don’t know when it’ll be safe for you, but leave your phone, your car, and your credit cards here.  Call me in a couple weeks from one of those pre-paid cell phones and I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
    She ran to him and he hugged her tightly.  “Thank you, Christian.”
    “Don’t thank me until you’re out of Bent Creek and safely away from this madness.”  He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and smiled.  “I’ve always hated how he treats you, Scar.  It’s not fair for anyone to force their child to mate with a stranger.  You’ve been acting weird for weeks, and now I know why.  They’re pretty decent guys for trying to find you after all this time, not giving up on you.”
    “I know, I’m lucky.”
    “I hope to be lucky enough to find a mate someday who won’t give up on me, either.”  He kissed her cheek and pushed her away gently.  “Pack fast and go out the back way, through the service entrance.  I’ll go with one of them to make sure they get out to their vehicle safely.  See you outside.”
    He left her in the room and she stood in stupefied wonder for a moment before snapping to action.  It didn’t take her long to fill a backpack and a small suitcase from her closet with clothes and toiletries and get dressed.  She left her cell, iPad, and wallet on the dresser, taking only her driver’s license and some cash and slipping them into the zipper pocket of her backpack.
    She walked out of the bedroom and found Wes pacing in the front room.  He smiled in relief and took the suitcase from her hand.  “Your brother is awesome.”
    “I know.”
    “They’re waiting for us.  Are you ready?”
    “Definitely.”
    After she had donned her coat, they walked out of her apartment and she shut the door, looking down the hallway at her brothers’ apartment doors.  She whispered “goodbye,” and followed Wes to the service entrance near the central gathering area by the foyer.  A truck was idling at the side of the building.
    Christian hugged her tightly.  Her eyes blurred with tears.  “I’ll miss you, Chris.”
    “I’ll miss you, too, Scarlett.  Be happy.”
    He let her go slowly and she followed Wes around to the passenger side of the truck and climbed in to sit on the bench seat next to Ray.  Christian leaned over and looked at them through the open window.  “Take care of my sister, guys.  I mean it.”
    “We will,” Ray promised.
    “Good.  Then get the hell gone and be safe.”  Christian smiled, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
    Ray put the window up as he pulled away from the curb.  He didn’t turn on the headlights until he pulled out onto the main street.
    Nerves skated through her until they were outside Bent Creek’s city limits, and then, slowly, as the distance from Bent Creek grew wider, she relaxed.  Their future stretched before them, and for the first time in weeks, she was excited to see what lay ahead.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Wes felt like he was going to twitch out of his skin.  He wanted to hold Scarlett, but aside from a few fiery kisses in her apartment, he wasn’t sure if he should touch her or not.  She had admitted they were mates, but that didn’t mean that he had an all-access pass to her.
    As if sensing his feelings, she reached for his arm and lifted it over her head and around her shoulders as she leaned into his side.  She took Ray’s right hand and clasped it between both of hers.  With a soft sigh, she said, “Do you hate me?”
    Ray grunted in surprise.  “Why would we hate you, sweetheart?”
    “Because I disappeared and then wouldn’t let Melody tell you where I was.  I feel like a total bitch, and I understand if you’re angry with me.”
    Wes hugged her a little closer and kissed the top of her head.  “We were frustrated and sad, but we never hated you.  Melody, Tristan, and Micah