5: Hood - Pack Trust by Carys Weldon Read Free Book Online Page B

think about what I’d done.
     
     
    You know what, though? I was tired of thinking about everything. I pretty much figured it was a lost cause.
     
     
    And I’d considered things a long time--ever since Jack and Fera took off--and thought, I can pull a Jack . I mean, he made it look easy. Disappearing into the sunset.
     
     
    Suddenly, that sounded way too good to me. I had to get out.
     
     
    The elevators at Lobos are silent, speedy. I was in the foyer in seconds flat, crossing the expanse with purpose before I noticed the security guard on the phone, his gaze on the elevators--me. I knew Hood had called down, given orders to detain me. Damn me for not thinking of this a day earlier, while he’d been gone. I changed directions, but the security team headed me off. Turning again, I went back to the elevators. I could see the executive lift lights racing downward. I knew he was coming for me.
     
     
    Hitting the button to go up, I jumped into the first elevator that opened.
     
     
    What do you think you’re doing?
     
     
    Get out of my head.
     
     
    Giselle, calm down. Wait for me.
     
     
    Some frigging mind-talking psychic garou in the foyer had volunteered what I was doing, I’m sure. It’s like they’re all in a ‘Borg connection or something. Only, usually, Hood can filter his thoughts so they aren’t all in the middle of his business--but I honestly think that’s how he keeps them in line. They can’t do squat without his knowing about it.
     
     
    I hit a couple buttons so he wouldn’t be sure which floor I got off on, though I figured he’d have guards looking on every floor in no time. And someone else in security central giving a playby. I could only hope that the loser there was an unnatural on my side that would enjoy watching the big boss hunt and peck a little bit. Not that I’d get away with running for long.
     
     
    There was one place I could hide, that he’d never expect, though. I slipped off on the habitat level and disappeared in the foliage. Habitat is a full floor level that’s made to look like a natural wolf reserve. There’s fresh water running in waterfall and creek, real trees growing--including nut and fruit trees. I wouldn’t starve. All I had to do was bide some time, stay where no one could smell me. There were garou in there at all times, I think. So, I had to be smart about it.
     
     
    I’d only been in there on full moon nights, and that had been crazy. I don’t want to go into the monster I become when I go crinos. Suffice it to say that I’m one insane bitch. I’m not sure that the DNA screen was honest on me. I mean, holy shit if there are unnaturals who get crazier than I do. No wonder they hunt them down. I swear, I could kill anything on a night like that.
     
     
    You’re not getting out. The doors are locked. Everybody’s looking for you.
     
     
    Fuck you, Hood. Get out of my head.
     
     
    Now, this is how calculating I am. I knew that I’d need a contingency plan. Every day I was getting more and more--what? DNA driven? It’s like something garou builds up in your system, concentrates in your brain. You really think you’re going nuts, because you can see that the world they’ve drawn you into is maniacal.
     
     
    The S.D. was developed by an unnatural scientist. A garou like me. There is a shifting underworld I can’t talk about. But I’m telling you, when the time comes, we’ll be ready to fight the Armageddon.
     
     
    Not that I want to fight Hood. I really want to be on his side. I found my stash, though, and took the S.D. and then sat back, in a dark den, one that the lupus didn’t seem to like much, and I prayed.
     
     
    You’d think I’d give up on God. I mean, knowing that he hadn’t saved me from that whole nightmare. But if anything, it just gave me strength. I knew he was watching, and when I really needed him, when I couldn’t do it by myself any more, I had faith that he’d help me.
     
     
    But yeah, I cried alone in