XXV. Only Two

Raine's POV:

“That’s...nice.”

“May I know why you don’t want to be mated to my son?”

“I don’t know him.”

“Most soulmates start with not knowing each other,” he rebuttals.

“I’m human.”

He smiles, “We have humans in our community. Witches. Fairies. Vampires. We are an open community.”

Preston sounds like one of those company owners; that’s all about family bullshit. “He doesn’t want me.”

Preston’s left eye twitches and his molars ground against one another.

That’s it.

His sore spot.

“I don’t want a werewolf who doesn’t want me. Particularly, an Alpha. I may not be exposed to many werewolves, but I have heard stories about how badly soulmates, particularly females, are treated when their counterparts don’t want them. Please, understand.” That I have a low tolerance for pain.

“My son...is not exactly dependable.”

“Then, you agree.”

“Which is the reason why he needs someone dependable.”

“I’m a teenager. Undependable.”

“Raine Fall.” I hate it when others know my name without me introducing myself to them. It means they had investigated me. “Your file appeared in the human community a year ago. Found at sea. Orphan.”

“And?”

He rests his chin against his knuckles, “Do you think it’s difficult for us to keep you here?”

“Again. I do not-”

“I heard you the first time.” He straightens his board back, which somehow makes him bigger than he already is. “If the only problem is that my son does not want you.” Preston stood up, and pulled his coat down to straighten it out. “Consider the problem solved. I have other matters to attend. Please, make yourself comfortable, Luna Raine.”

With that, he left...me speechless.

How can someone be that overbearing?

When I got better, I made my way towards the door to see two large guards. They turn their heads toward me. “Hello,” I said.

They nod once.

“I assume you’re both here to stop me from escaping,” I said.

“We are here to protect you,” one of them replies.

“Can you protect me somewhere else?”

They look at each other before swaying their attention back towards me. “Such as?”

“Somewhere...potentially away from the hospital?”

“We would love to,” one of them said. I smiled and took a step forward. “However, we cannot.” With a single-arm, one of them pushes me back into the room.

“Why not? Is it that mean old scary looking man? I promise I won’t tell him.”

“Not that is not it.” I’m confident that is the reason why. “The doctor has not discharged you. We will go anywhere you wish inside of Crescent Moon afterward.”

I nod slowly, “Alright.” I know better than to push their buttons. Steadily, I close the door behind me and slide downward. My head stumbles into my hands, “What’s happening?”

I rush my hands through my hair several times before my head snaps towards the window. With speed, I spread the curtains open to see two guards outside. They turn around and stare at me. I closed the curtains. Guards at the window and door. No windows in the bathroom. Great.

My eye drifts towards the ceiling to see the air conditioning vent. This is probably the worst idea ever. “Ah, fuck it.” I grab the bed and roll it underneath the vent. I smack on the brakes then grab the chair. With all my strength, I position the chair on top of the bed.

I laugh to myself.

“Raine. Raine. Go away. Come again another day.”

It’s official.

I lost it.

Inhaling a sharp breath, I close my eyes and pull out the IV. “Mother-” I bit my tongue and inhaled a sharp breath. I grabbed the IV and stood on the chair. Even when I’m only a few feet away from the ground, it seems much too far. Too dangerous.

I poke the AC vent, and it moves. Inhaling another sharp breath, I poke it again. “Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” With each chant, I thrust it harder until it moves. I halt in space when the chair wobbles.

I smiled when I didn’t fall. “Okay. Good.” Cautiously, I place the IV down. “One shot,” I told myself. With all my power, I leaped upward and caught the edge. “Oh, my God. It works,” I sequel silently to myself.

With what’s left of my energy, I thrust my leg up only to catch the edge with my heel. I’m more athletic than I thought. I should’ve tried for gymnastics. With a single grunt, I threw my other leg upward. The chair fell.

Shit.

The door slam opened. Well, not precisely because it’s quite heavy.

Shit.

The guards stared at me.

Shit.

There I am, hanging backward with the moon exposed to the world. Well, not really, because I still have my underwear. Without a second thought, I used all my power to climb into the vent.

“Luna Raine! Don’t!”

I will! I shall!

“Be careful!”

“Thanks! I’ll keep that in mind!”

Every movement inside the vent seems like an endless vortex. Surprisingly, it’s quite clean in here. Then again, this is a hospital. I grunt and push forward despite the condensed space.

“Please, come down!”

I continue to push forward, small strands of hair pushing out of the bun behind me. There must be an exit somewhere. Somehow, I’ll ditch those guards, find a place to leave, find my bag, and find Helen. I do not have a plan. I am going based on instinct.

Bad human instinct.

“Someone! Go up there and get her!”

I can feel the vent rumbling.

“I said, go up there and get her! Not poke a mop at her!”

“We’re too big! We won’t fit!”

“Then, call someone smaller! Someone is bound to-” the random guard stop talking. “You! You over there!”

“Yes?”

“You’re small. Go up there and get your patient.”

“I-I-I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I’m just a nurse! Climbing vents is not part of my job description!”

“What? What do you mean it’s not your job! Your job is to make people feel better! She is mentally ill! Get her and make her feel better!”

I scoff and roll my eyes. “You’re mentally ill,” I hissed underneath my breath and continued pushing forward. I have no idea where I am going, but it must lead to somewhere.

When my hair sticks to my red cheeks, I look like a crazy lady. I don’t need a mirror to see it. I need to get out. The Alpha’s dad is overbearing enough, and he’s not even my mate. I don’t even want to meet the Alpha.

“Where is she?” I’m slowly losing them. “Where is the fucking hospital map!”

My limbs ached from the constant bending and pushing. There’s a surge of nausea from my stomach, and I hated how I over-ate earlier. The food didn’t taste as bad as I thought it would.

When I saw some light at the end, I smiled. After so many random twists and turns, there’s finally an opening. I saw a few openings earlier, but I couldn’t pry it open. I poke my head towards the edge to see an empty hallway. Steadily, I lifted the corner, which was as heavy as it looked. When I couldn’t lift it, I punched the surface below me. It made a hole. I peek through the hole to see a space.

Steadily, I got up. My back touches the other end. I could feel the bottom inching downward. My brows furrow together, and before I could say anything, it broke.

Instinct kicked in, and I closed my eyes, my hands covering my head. In an instant, I could feel the sparkle of electricity. When the pain didn’t arrive, I opened my eyes to meet a familiar face.

At that moment, it was like liquid adrenaline injected right into my bloodstream, not strong but enough to make my body tingle. It’s him. The moment he curls the tip of his fingers into my skin, the world fades.

And with that-

there are only two.

“There’s only me.

And there’s only you.”