Free Alphas by Lisi Harrison

were
     going but was certain her bare feet would be torn to ribbons once they arrived. Still, running felt good. At least some part
     of her was moving forward.
    Heavy breathing and the occasional nervous giggle were the only sounds they made until they cleared the alpha houses. Charlie
     had refused to join them, claiming she didn’t want to break the rules on the first night. Now Allie, Skye, Renee, and Triple
     were sprinting through the dark night. Sleep seemed to have claimed everyone else on the island—even the light of the moon.
    “Let’s stop,” Renee panted, finding cover under the canopy of an acacia tree.
    “Not here,” Allie J whisper-insisted. “We’re still too close.”
    Skye scanned the perimeter, her turquoise eyes darting back and forth. “Why do you think Charlie didn’t want to come?” Skye
     pulled her fingers, cracking the knuckles.
    “She probably already knows that the BBBs have zero interest in her,” Renee said, as she dashed from the cover of one Joshua
     tree to another. “Besides, she was sound asleep when we left.”
    “Maybe she was faking? You’re not the only one who can act, you know,” Triple snapped.
    “Actually”—Renee rolled up the sleeves of her glistening silver nightshirt—“I am.”
    “Let’s just keep going before someone hears us.” Allie shifted from one foot to the other to keep the ground germs from sticking.
    “According to this, the boys live south of here, where the circle thingy connects to the bottom of the
a
.” Renee announced, studying the @-shaped map on her aPod.
    “How do you know fur-sure?” Skye cracked another knuckle.
    “Because it flashes ‘off-limits’ every time I try to get directions.”
    “Shhhhhhhh,” Allie hissed, fearing the worst—an office-scolding from Shira. At that kind of proximity, she’d definitely realize
     Allie’s mole was kohl. Her cover would be blown and she’d be sent to jail for identity fraud. Fletcher and Trina would become
     famous as the people who’d driven her to this life of deception. And they’d sell their love story to Lifetime for millions
     of—
    “If you’re so worried about getting caught, you should have stayed behind,” Renee barked.
    “In bed!” Triple added, mocking Allie’s favorite joke.
    “I need some inspiration. And danger gives me that, okay? It’s part of my process,” Allie managed, leaving out the part about
     replacing her old crush with a new one so she could have a shot at happiness. “Besides, taking a chance on romance is a dance
     in tight pants. It’s risky but frisky. But make the right move and you’re in the groove.” She smiled, relieved that she remembered
     the lyrics to Allie J’s song “Skintight” under such extreme pressure.
    “I say we follow the bubble train route.” Renee held her aPod to the ground, using the screen’s blue glow to guide them.
    A tropical breeze launched the sweet smell of gardenias, reminding Allie of the time Fletcher had sample-sprayed Hawaiian
     Blossom in Sephora. He’d said that one day, when they were older, they’d travel to the South Pacific and smell that scent
     in person. Sadly, that dream had evaporated faster than the tiny perfume drops.
    “Change of plans,” Skye announced. “We’re going to the beach.”
    “Shira just got home,” Renee announced even louder.
    “How do you know?” Triple asked.
    “You think you’re the only one Taz texts?” Renee jiggled her aPod in front of Skye’s full lips. “I got the message too.”
    Skye shot Allie a
can you believe how annoying she is?
glare. Allie replied with a
whaddaya gonna do?
shrug.
    “They told Shira they’re going to look for their brother Darwin.” Renee thumbed the aPod screen. “Apparently he’s depressed.”
    “Who isn’t?” Allie mumbled into the darkness.
    “They lit a bonfire. We have to look for the—”
    “Smoke!” Triple pointed toward the northern tip of the island.
    “Let’s go.” Renee took off, leaving the