Escaping Dominance (Heart of a Wolf Series - Trina's Tale)

by MaryLynn Bast

Amber turned back towards her, but her eyes darted to the door. “It’s really not a good idea. But if you want to go somewhere, there is a place I know that takes in wolves in need. I was there for a while and hated it, but you might like it.” Looking around the room, her eyes lit up when she spotted the motel’s paper and pen set sitting on the desk. She moved quickly, jotted down an address and handed the paper to Trina. “This is a shelter down south that will take you in.”

  Trina could see Amber was anxious to get out the door and away from the area, away from her. “The one you are hiding from is on the other side of the motel on the second floor. If you don’t have a vehicle, he won’t scent you if you sneak out through the trees.” Trina realized the woman probably already had an escape route and became silent.

  Amber nodded and headed towards the door, stopping with her back to Trina. Her hand stilled on the door knob. Her shoulders lifted and fell when she released the deep breath she had sucked in. She didn’t turn around, but spoke with a resigned voice to the back of the door. “Okay, I will take you. But it will be a long drive.” She turned back around and faced her. “Is the boy good on trips, will he get car sick?”

  Trina’s voice showed her excitement when she spoke quickly. “Toby will be fine. He’s resilient and pretty smart for a five year old, he never gets sick.” Glancing down at her hands she thought of him taking her stone. Looking back up, her face was drawn with worry. “About earlier, I really am sorry.”

  Amber shook her head. “It happened for a reason.” Her eyes went to the door again.

  “Can you give me five minutes? I can’t just leave without telling Mable.”

  Amber shook her head adamantly. “You want to know how to remain on the run?” Her brows arched in question.

  Trina nodded, listening intently.

  “Then remember this. If you tell people you are leaving, you put them in danger. If you have to, leave a note and tell her thank you for helping you, but don’t tell her where you are going or sign it. Never mention names, never sign anything. Mable will know it’s from you.”

  Trina’s eyes misted with tears. In the short time she had been working there, she and Mable had become close. Mable was like a mother and Trina regretted having to leave. But to protect Toby, she had to move on. She asked this woman for help, so she should listen to her advice. Nodding, Trina grabbed the notepad and jotted down a note. “Give me one minute to leave this for Mable, get Toby and our stuff.”

  Amber nodded. “I’ll pull around the front.”

  Opening the door, Amber cautiously looked around. The two women separated, Amber heading towards her car while Trina trotted towards her room.

  In her room she hunkered down in front of Toby. “You ready to go on another trip like we talked about?”

  He stared at her for a long moment then nodded. Jumping off the bed, he helped her put his things in his backpack and slipped it onto his back.

  “Can I still do my school work?” His face showed his worry.

  Trina smiled, “Of course, baby.” She tucked the packets in the side pocket of her bag. “I’m glad you like your classes.”

  They talked about his assignments while she hurried and packed. Looking around the room, she didn’t realize she had accumulated so many things. Unfortunately, she couldn’t take everything with her on such short notice. They were material things anyway, stuff they didn’t need to survive on.

  Trina opened the door and noticed Amber’s hands tapping on the steering wheel. She looked anxious. Stepping out the door with Toby at her side, her heart flew into her throat and her stomach flipped, making her nauseous. Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone walking across the blacktop. Stopping dead in her tracks, she stared, the bag dropped from her hand while she instinctively pulled Toby close. When she felt him peek around her hip, she pushed him back behind her.

  Seeing the terrified look on Trina’s face, Amber turned and saw a man stalking across the parking lot.

  He was tall with broad shoulders, typical for the werewolf’s male human form. His dark blonde hair was cut short, his skin tanned. His long strides bringing him quickly across the parking lot, his eyes glued on Trina. He was on a mission.

  Trina’s heart was gripped with terror like none she had ever known. The wind brought his familiar scent to her and her body responded. He was supposed to be her mate, her wolf was drawn to him, yet she was repulsed by him at the same time. She couldn’t forgive what he had done to her. She stood frozen in place. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Amber’s response to Dean’s presence and heard her hissed response.

  “Dammit!” The palm of Amber’s hand struck the steering while. Dropping her head back against the head rest, she closed her eyes for a moment. Opening them, she watched Dean stalk past the front of her car.

  Dean didn’t notice Amber in the car, his gaze too intent on Trina. He glanced down at the backpacks she had dropped to the ground then back to her face. His lip snarled as he lengthened his stride.

  Behind him, Amber slung open the door to her old beat up car and quickly climbed out. Leaving the car running and the door open, she rushed Dean’s back.

  Trina was rooted to the spot, watching everything in front of her like it was on a movie screen, everything was in slow motion and all she could do was watch.

  Amber’s foot found the only loose gravel on the parking lot making a crunching sound when she took off running hard and fast, leaping into the air at Dean’s back.

  His head swiveled, his body began to crouch and turn around. Halfway through his turn, the ball of her hiking boot struck hard against his ribs.

  With her weight, Amber shoved hard and Dean went slamming into the side of a car parked in front of the motel.

  The moment Amber’s foot connected, Trina went into action. Grabbing the backpacks and scooping Toby up in her arms, she rushed forward.

  Amber’s attack surprised Dean and he didn’t have time to ready himself. The impact into the car caused him to stumble and trip over his own feet. He tumbled to the ground, hitting his head with a loud cracking sound against the curb where he slumped forward, not moving.

  Trina didn’t give Dean another look where he lay in a heap, half on the sidewalk and half on the parking lot. She knew if she glanced at him the urge to stop and see if he was okay would kick in and she couldn’t afford to let him pull at her heart strings any more. Swerving way out of his reach in case he tried to grab for her, she took off running for Amber’s car. On her way past, the smell of alcohol was strong. It didn’t surprise her, and was probably the reason Amber had gotten the drop on him.

  Seeing Trina running towards her, Amber turned and ran back towards the car, jumping in and slamming the door shut.

  At the same time, Trina hurried Toby into the backseat and climbed in with him. Her knee in the seat, she quickly buckled him in.

  The second Trina closed the door Amber punched the gas pedal and tore out of the parking lot with tires squealing in protest.

  Glancing out the rear window, Trina saw Dean moving, getting to his knees, his hand going to his head. She lost sight of him when the car sped down the road. Twisting around to face the front, her butt plopped down on the seat. She fought to calm the thoughts flashing through her mind. Dean was trying to connect with her and she blocked him, but not before he sent her his message. If he ever found her again, he would kill her slowly with his bare hands.

  The mood in the car was a tense silence. Amber’s hands gripped the steering wheel, her eyes constantly going to the rearview mirror.

  Trina moved the backpacks to the back floorboard. Lifting her leg and throwing it over the bench seat of the old Ford LTD, she climbed into the front and buckled her seatbelt. When she heard movement in the back she glanced over her shoulder.

  Toby was digging through his backpack.

  “What are you looking for sweetie?”

  Glancing up he smiled. “I’m just getting my toy.”

  Trina smiled sadly, tears misting in her
eyes. She couldn’t help thinking how this must be affecting him. He didn’t show it though. He never threw tantrums like other kids she had seen. He was always calm and even in situations like what had just happened he went with the flow and never freaked out on her.

  Amber looked over, reading the look on her face. “He does seem to be a pretty good kid.” She turned back to the watch the road.

  “He really is. I’m sorry I got you involved in my problems.”

  Amber released a sigh. “Yeah, well trouble seems to follow me around. No biggie. What’s one more group of people looking for me?”

  She laughed it off, but Trina could tell her situation wasn’t a laughing matter. “If you don’t mind me asking, who’s after you?”

  Amber glanced over at her, a thoughtful look on her face. After a moment she must have decided it was safe to talk, she said, “My mother’s pack and the Council are looking for me.”

  At the mention of the Council Trina’s head turned quickly in her direction.

  Amber laughed. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I just happened to be born at the wrong time under the wrong circumstances.”

  “On the full moon.” Toby’s voice floated to the front seat.

  Amber frowned, her grip tightening on the steering wheel.

  Trina wondered what made him say such a thing. She didn’t say anything to him, noticing Amber’s reaction, her eyes narrowed slightly. “So now my pack may be after you, too. I can’t apologize enough.”

  Amber shook her head. “No need. Like I said, things happen for a reason and it looks like I happened to be there at the right time to help.” Glancing down in Trina’s lap, she motioned with her chin towards the piece of paper in her hand. “Sorry you couldn’t get that to your friend.”

  Gasping slightly, Trina had totally forgotten about the message and tears sprang to her eyes. It was a wonder she had held onto it when she dropped the backpack. Mable would be worried and she was going to miss her. Amber was right. She would have put the old woman in danger if she had left the note or talked to her about her plans. Just like she had risked Toby’s life by getting too comfortable and staying in one place too long.

  Trina thought of Dean struggling to his knees and glanced in the side mirror, looking at the empty road behind them. “Do you think he’s going to try to follow us?”

  “You would know the answer to that better than I.” Amber’s eyes cut over at her, one brow raised slightly. “I guess I should have asked before knocking him out if you were certain you wanted to leave. But that would have spoiled the element of surprise.”

  Trina gave a slight chuckle and returned her grin. “Yeah, it would have.” Shaking her head, her mouth turned down at one corner. “There is no way I will ever willingly go back to him. I don’t know how it is from your pack, but in mine, women have absolutely no rights and we are forced to obey the men’s demands.”

  “I hear it’s like that in all packs. I’ve never lived under pack rules.” Amber smiled over at her.

  “Really? Never?” Trina couldn’t believe she was so lucky. She wanted to ask so many questions but a closed expression came over Amber’s face and she didn’t want to push any further. Sitting quietly in the passenger seat she watched the trees fly by.

  The old car rode a little rough, but it was better than being stuck with Dean. Toby was falling asleep and Trina felt her eyes getting heavy. Amber didn’t appear to have a problem with her not talking, so she leaned her head back and let her eyes drop. Drifting off to sleep, she woke when the car slowed down and they turned off onto another highway, and once when Amber stopped for gas. It didn’t take long, they were back on the road again and she went right back to sleep.

  131

  ESCAPING DOMINANCE

  CHAPTER six

  “Trina.”

  Jerking alert, Trina gasped and sat up. Her eyes wide, she didn’t know where she was for a moment.

  “Everything’s okay.” Amber gave her an apologetic smile.

  Running her hand through her hair, Trina drew in a breath and let it out on a sigh. She peeked back at Toby who was still sleeping in the back seat.

  “I just thought of this or I would have asked earlier when you were awake. The piece of paper I gave you with the shelters information on it…” She paused.

  Trina shook her head to clear her jumbled mind. “Hmmm, yeah, what about it?”

  “Did you put it in your pocket or leave it in the room?” Amber reached down and turned the headlights on since it was beginning to get dark.

  Frowning, Trina checked her pockets and slapped her hand against her forehead. “Oh no, I left it on the bed!”

  Amber drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay, then that changes things.”

  “I really screwed up, I’m sorry.”

  “First of all, the next time you say I’m sorry, I am dumping your butt out on the side of the road.” Amber scowled at her momentarily. “Second, you saved me a trip across country to Louisiana, now we go to Las Vegas to the shelter there.”

  “Where are we now?”

  “If your man finds the paper, he should think we took the most direct route down through California.” Amber smiled brightly. “We are near Carson City, half way to Vegas already.”

  “So how do you know where all these shelters are? Do you stay at them while traveling?” Trina rubbed her hand across her eyes. She felt like she had just fallen asleep and was still tired. Glancing at the clock, she saw that they had been on the road for hours and realized she was getting hungry.

  “Had my fill when I was younger, I avoid the shelters all together. You seem to be okay with being around people.” Her shoulder lifted in a light shrug. “I’m not.” She checked the mirrors again before continuing. “Since you have a kid, it may be safer for you though. With Vegas being in a different region you should be okay. Shelters are a haven of sorts and won’t allow packs to come after any of the residents.”

  The not liking being around people explained Amber’s gruff demeanor. She wasn’t really rude she just didn’t like to deal with people. It was understandable. “Yeah, I don’t have a problem being around people, I just don’t like being around Dean’s pack.”

  “I’m getting hungry.” Amber jerked her head towards Toby. “I figured he might be, too.”

  Stirrings from the back seat brought Trina’s attention to his messy hair and the red lines running down the side of his face where he’d rested against the seat belt. A bit of drool at the corner of his mouth made her grin. “You hungry, baby?”

  Toby nodded and stretched, his mouth yawning wide.

  Pulling into the truck stop, Amber climbed out of the car cautiously then motioned for them to follow her.

  Trina snorted a small laugh at how cautious she was being. Amber acted like she didn’t trust anyone and everyone could be a possible enemy. Trina hurried Toby out of the car and into the diner. She really needed to go to the bathroom and was sure he did too.

  By the time they got out, Amber had secured a table. With her back against the wall, she sat next to the window, watching the parking lot. Trina and Toby slid into the booth across from her.

  The truck stop was busy and by the time the waitress came around everyone had decided on what they wanted to order. With Amber keeping a watchful eye, they all ate quietly.

  When they got up to leave, both women grabbed for the ticket and frowned at each other for a moment. “You have done enough for us already.” Trina would not release the slip of paper. She didn’t care that Amber was taller than her and could probably take her down if she wanted too. Hell, her flying front kick in Dean’s side proved that much. But she wouldn’t let it go.

  Eyes narrowed, Amber finally relented after what appeared to be a small standoff and dropped her hand. “It’s all yours.” She turned without another word and headed towards the exit.

  Trina half expected her to leave them there and hurried the cashier so she could get out the door. Relief washed over her as she barreled ou
t.

  Amber was leaning against the car with her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes still scanning the parking lot. When they got close enough, she turned, opened the back for Toby to crawl in and closed the door behind him. She then climbed in behind the wheel and started the car.

  “You may as well get some more sleep, we have at least seven and a half, eight hours before we get there.” Her tone sounded a little gruff.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “You didn’t and at least you didn’t apologize this time.” Amber gave her a grin.

  Trina smiled back with a slight shake of her head and settled into the seat after making sure Toby was buckled in. She was beginning to realize Amber’s rough exterior as just that. “I would offer to drive, but I’ve never driven a day in my life.”

  Amber cut her eyes over at her. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Trina shook her head. “Nope, my parents died when I was seven. My uncle and his wife were always too busy and Dean refused to allow me to touch his truck unless I was washing it or in the passenger seat.”

  “Well, you really need to learn. There may not always be someone around to take you.”

  “Yeah, I know. I do appreciate you doing this. I honestly thought you were going to drop us at the bus station. I certainly didn’t think you were going to drive us all the way to Louisiana, or even Vegas.”

  “I’m in between jobs now anyway,” she shrugged. Glancing over at the side view mirror, she did a double take and leaning closer to confirm what she was seeing. “Doesn’t Dean drive a red and white truck?”

  Amber had apparently noticed his truck in the parking lot at the hotel, she certainly hadn’t. Trina nodded and jerked around in the seat, staring out the back window in time to see him barreling up the highway, heading straight towards them.

  “If he keeps coming like that, he’s going to ram us. You might want to hold on, Toby.” Amber punched the gas pedal. The old car was on its last leg already and faltered a moment before it gave a small burst of speed, leaping forward with one last effort.