Free Omega by Kassanna Page B

safe, remember she will be at the old shack. Now come and get the child, we are at the gas station on State Road Nineteen.” He hung up and sprinted back to the automobile, pulling off his clothes as he moved.
    Colin accepted his beast, revealing in the break and realignment of bone. His hands and feet curled into paws and his snout extended. Fur replaced hair in his follicles. In his wolf form, he could better protect his mate. He dropped to his haunches at the back fender to wait for his friend. From there they would leave the car and travel through the woods to the back of Blaidd property. They would follow a stream he was familiar with. That would drown their scents and keep Ian’s men searching if his old man chose to send them after him. He shook his head, he knew his father well; no doubt the hunt had already begun.

Chapter Eight
     
    Robbie jerked. She was back in that same dream where the mystery man slid his clammy hands along her skin, watching the scene from outside her body like a movie. The stranger had a face. Malachai touched her body with his mouth and fingers. She swallowed the bile creeping up her throat. He turned away from her naked form and she knew she’d been violated in so many horrible, and different ways. Malachai’s self-appreciating grin made her breath hitch. How many eggs had they taken from her body? Were there other shifter women carrying her babies around in their bellies? She covered her mouth with her palm to contain her anguish and curled in on herself. Tears followed the lines of her lips and the saltiness seeped between her lips. It was hard to breathe in the thick air that flowed around her, stroking her skin like slimy fingers. A wolf howled and the images disappeared, misty darkness surrounded her.
    She spun around. The baying grew closer. Shadowy figures appeared off in the distance and she ran toward them. The watery vision dissipated. She dropped to her knees and screamed.
    “Stop it!” She was being shaken. “I’m here.” Words leached into her barren world. She held tight to accented voice that seemed to be coming from every direction.
    Her eyes fluttered open. Colin stood over her with a wide smile on his face. “There’s my woman.” He stepped back.
    She glanced around and focused on the syringe, the only vial of serum left from her breakthrough. With a sigh, she sat up and a wave of dizziness enveloped her. She flopped back into the seat. Her memories came rushing back and she twisted in the seat to look behind her, ignoring the throbbing that began to pound in her head.
    The backseat was empty. “Where is Marree?” She rose up on her knees and peered over the headrest. Darting her gaze back and forth she leaned over the seat, frantic to find the baby.
    “The cutie is right here.” Matos, came into view with Marree secure in his arms. He tickled her chin and she giggled. “Colin wouldn’t let me leave until she said good-bye.”
    “Thank you.” She peered to her side at Colin and he nodded.
    Slowly she eased up. Crickets chirped in the wild grasses beyond the concrete and cool night air closed in around her. Matos ambled up to her, holding the toddler out. Robbie nuzzled the baby, taking in her sweet baby-powder scent. She blinked back tears, she would not cry, and hugged Marree tighter. The little girl squirmed and she loosened her grip and attempted to lift her lips in a smile. Marree patted her cheeks and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on her nose. She understood that instantaneous connection he felt with the two girls but deep in her soul she knew letting Marree go was the only way to protect her.
    Robbie made a promise to herself. Malachai would never find her children and if that meant she would never see them, then it was the price she would pay. One way or another she would make everything right for them. “I love you,” she whispered before pressing a kiss to the soft curls on Marree’s head. Pain sliced through her so deep she was sure it was