Chapter 221

Jacob’s Perspective
Damn, I really didn’t want this kind of trouble. On human turf, we had to play by their damn rules, at least superficially.
I signaled for Celena to pull over first, letting a few ordinary civilian cars pass. We stopped by the roadside like two genuine, law-abiding citizens, but every muscle in our bodies was coiled tight. We watched the police car parked behind us, its lights strobing aggressively, like two wolves poised to strike.
Two officers got out, flanking us, their hands hovering near their holsters in that infuriatingly textbook posture. One of them picked up a loudspeaker, his voice metallic and absolute. “Cut the engine! Step out of the vehicle! Get on the ground, hands on your heads!”
Hell no. On the ground? Helpless? Not a chance.
Celena and I exchanged a single glance. No words needed. The moment the two men thought we were complying, their vigilance wavering for a split second, Celena slammed her foot on the accelerator! Tires screeched in protest as the SUV, like a provoked bull, lurched forward, veered off the highway, and plunged into the overgrown wilderness beside the road!
“Pursue!” An enraged shout followed us, the siren wailing back to life.
Good. Now that we were out of human sight, in this godforsaken middle of nowhere, who the hell cared about their stupid rules anymore!
The police car bounced violently behind us in pursuit. Soon, sharp Pop! Pop! sounds echoed. Handguns. You could tell by the report. Their aim was pathetic, managing only to shatter a side mirror and barely graze the bodywork.
“My turn!” I yelled over the violent jostling. We swiftly switched places, and I squeezed into the driver’s seat. The moment my hands gripped the wheel, it felt like coming home. I floored the gas, relying on pure instinct for the vehicle and the terrain, guiding this steel beast as it launched off one grassy mound and crashed down onto another, jolting our insides but successfully putting some distance between us.
Maybe the cops figured this place was deserted enough. Their actions grew more brazen. I heard the distinctive, heavier blast—a shotgun! Shit!
Just as I was calculating how to dodge shells that could blow our doors wide open, I caught Celena’s movement from the corner of my eye. She was reaching into that deceptively harmless, almost cute pink backpack and pulled out a black Glock! The motion was as smooth as pulling out a lipstick.
Well now… Lily’s star pupil, indeed. I almost whistled. A werewolf girl who packed heat? Fiery. Fierce. I liked it!
She leaned fluidly out the window, the wild wind whipping her brown hair, yet her eyes remained cold as ice. Bang! Bang! Bang! Three precise, controlled shots.
Through the rearview mirror, I watched the police car’s windshield instantly spiderweb into a milky haze. The driver, clearly caught off guard, swerved violently before plowing headfirst into the thick trunk of an old oak tree. White smoke hissed from the crumpled hood. They were done.
“Nice shooting, baby!” I couldn’t help but shout.
Celena’s Perspective
Lily’s training held true—”Sometimes, a well-placed bullet is far more useful, and cleaner, than wearing out your claws.” She was right. Didn’t even need a full magazine before those persistent bastard cops and their junker were getting acquainted with a tree.
A flicker of pride warmed my chest. But credit where it’s due—Jacob’s driving was impeccable. Keeping us so steady on this rough terrain gave me the perfect shooting platform. For a fleeting moment, watching his intense profile, the tight line of his jaw as he controlled the vehicle, an impulse surged: to lean over and plant a kiss on his cheek as a reward.
I crushed the thought the instant it formed. No, Celena. Don’t you dare waver so easily! He hasn’t even begun to answer for all his past stupidity! I forced myself to turn away, pretending to be utterly absorbed in scanning for any other pursuers.
Once we confirmed we were completely safe, we faced a new problem—we were utterly, hopelessly lost.
In his frantic effort to shake the tail, Jacob had twisted and turned us far from the highway and any known route. The truck now sat at the end of a completely unfamiliar, weed-choked dirt path, surrounded by endless forest on all sides. Our phone signal bars were empty. That crumpled paper map had probably been flung into some dark corner during the chaotic chase.
Bottom line: we were spending the night in the wilderness.
Fortunately, our supplies were sufficient. Jacob found a spot sheltered from the wind and deftly built a crackling campfire. The dancing flames pushed back the night’s chill and a good portion of the darkness. He even found a clean tin can, and using the fire, heated up our condensed soup with some water. The aroma of warm food gradually filled the air.
I sat by the fire, knees drawn to my chest, watching his busy back Shadow, a little surprised. I never knew he had these skills, moving with the ease of an experienced survivalist.
The night was quiet, filled only with the snap and crackle of burning wood and the distant chorus of unseen insects. We sat together, sharing the steaming, admittedly mediocre canned soup and water. For now, we forgot about the threat of hunters, forgot about Brett, forgot about the pack’s troubles, and forgot about the unresolved knots still tangled between us. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs
This moment was unexpectedly peaceful, even… damnably cozy. The firelight danced across his face, tracing soft contours. The scene was quiet, simple, just the two of us. It felt eerily like a life I’d once secretly yearned for in my heart but never dared to voice.
It felt… dangerously good.
I lowered my head, taking small sips of soup to hide my flushed cheeks and the renewed chaos thrumming in my chest.