Free On the Prowl by Desiree Holt Page A

hope.
    Then, just as she was about to collapse, she broke out of the trees into a clearing and saw a house. At first she thought it was a mirage but she blinked and it was still there. She looked for the wolves but in that instant they disappeared, flashes of silver and white and black that were just…gone.
    Lauren was so drained, shattered by what had happened that she could barely keep from crying. Multiple scratches that stung like crazy covered her arms and legs. Her wrists were raw where she’d tried to rub the ropes against different trees in an attempt to wear away the fibres to loosen them but with no results except broken and bloody skin. The straps on her sandals had worn blisters on her feet and ankles, her sundress was torn and her jaw throbbed from the blow she’d taken. She could barely put one foot in front of the other as she headed towards the wood and glass structure ablaze with lights.
    And in the back of her mind the same question kept rattling around: Who would do this to me? Kidnap me and have me taken to this place in the middle of nowhere?
    Instinct told her she couldn’t go home until she found out. If it was a kidnapping for ransom, they’d just try again until they were caught. If it was something else…
    No. She didn’t even want to think that. Couldn’t think that. Not in her present state, anyway.
    Lauren had no idea what time it was. She’d totally lost track of time. Late, that’s all she knew. Very late. But these people obviously were awake. She realised what a mess she was. Any person in their right mind would turn her away. She just hoped they didn’t take one look at her and lock the doors because she didn’t think she had anything left to keep her going. She also had no idea if the woman she glimpsed through the big glass door was connected to the men who’d taken her or not but she did know she couldn’t go on a minute longer. She was drained, terrified and desperately in need of help. She could only pray she’d found it here.
    She nearly crawled the last few yards to the steps leading up to the deck. She’d just pulled herself onto the deck itself, trying to find the strength to pull herself to her feet, when someone opened the sliding glass door. A woman, medium height, in jeans and a T-shirt with a long fall of deep golden hair.
    “Can you help me? Please?” Lauren croaked, hoping she hadn’t fallen into another life-threatening situation out here in this godforsaken wilderness. But the wolves wouldn’t have led her here if it was, right?
    Ohmigod. Now I’m connecting with wild animals. I really have lost my mind.
    The woman smiled and crouched beside her. “Hi.” Her voice was low and musical and probably the sweetest sound Lauren had ever heard. “I’m Sierra. Let me help you inside.”
    “Sierra?” A tall muscular man with long dark hair came out onto the deck.
    Lauren shrank away from both of them.
    “I’m…sorry to just walk in here like this. A stranger.” Her jaw was swelling, making it difficult for her to talk, and the words came out sounding raw. “I…I had nowhere else to go. I don’t even know where I am. I’ve been running for so long and I saw your house and…” Her voice trailed away
    Sierra guided her to her feet and smiled. “That’s my husband, Luke. He may look like he bites but I can assure you he doesn’t.” She sent a teasing glance towards the man. “At least most of the time. Come on. Come into the house. Those are some nasty scratches and we need to look at them. But first we’ll get rid of the rope.” She studied Lauren’s face. “And you definitely need some ice on that bruise.”
    They practically carried her inside and eased her into a big armchair. A very petite woman with her auburn hair pulled into a ponytail came into the room carrying an armload of first aid materials.
    “I saw you bring her in,” she said, “and knew we’d need these.” She smiled at Lauren. “Hi. I’m Kelsey Renfield. My