Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

Ella

I turn on my heel and run away as fast as my feet will carry me.

My would-be kidnappers curse and soon their footsteps are pounding into the pavement behind me. I fly through the sleeping city, careful to make sure I travel in the opposite direction Cora ran. I hadn’t been sure they’d both follow me when another target was still within reach, but it seems their outrage over being duped by a little girl was strong enough to make them focus on me.

I know I need to find some place to hide, or some way to lose them. I’m small and fast, but my pursuers have longer legs and are probably in much better shape than I am. I can’t remember the last time I ate, let alone the last time I exercised for any reason other than survival. I turn towards the park in the center of the valley – the trees are dense and there’s little to no light, plus I’ve always had a talent for seeing in the darkness… at least I used to.

My adrenaline pushes me to sprint away from the men, even though my head is telling me to pace myself. I don’t risk looking over my shoulder, I simply run until my lungs are burning and my sides are splitting with cramps. Still, I don’t let myself slow down. I push through the pain and exhaustion, forcing myself to take longer strides, to move faster still.

I feel a slight flash of relief, when I reach the forest, bounding into the cover of the trees and veering away from the path. I leap over fallen logs and plow through the thick undergrowth, wondering if I should keep running or attempt to climb a tree.

An angry shout sounds behind me, and I realize my pursuers are closer than I knew. My heart stutters with raw panic, but I keep going, panting with the effort of drawing air.

Blood rushes in my ears, and though I can feel b.ranches and thorns scraping my legs, I don’t feel any pain. My frantic brain hallucinates the sound of a wolf howling in the distance, then two more join the cry and my eyes flit around the woods, searching for unseen predators. We’re deep in the forest now, and all at once I realize this was the worst possible place I could have chosen to flee.

I’ve always felt safe in the forest, but it seems my eyesight is not as sharp as I remember amidst this pitch blackness, and I’ve led my attackers away from the bustling city – from any witnesses or bystanders that might step in to help me.

much. No! I think frantically, keep going! If they catch you it’s all over. They’ll sell you to a brothel or to some monster

I pick up speed once more, but in doing so I move too fast to adequately take in my surroundings. My foot catches on a protruding rock, and I tumble to the ground,

I feel as if I’ve been punched in the stomach, my lungs temporarily frozen

done, you stupid girl.” The first remarks, “How are we supposed to get a good price for you when you’re all marked

this rate it will be a week before we can take her to auction, so there’s really no reason to

b!tch was asking for it, besides I doubt a pretty thing like this is still pure anyw ay. You remember how she offered herself up for her

let’s not disappoint her.” The second declares, reaching for his belt. “Don’t worry slut, we’ll make this good for you – as

eyes. I know what

can fathom. It’s not my fault I’m not pure, it’s not my fault I look this way.. it isn’t fair. What

I fight them they’ll hurt me worse, and if I don’t they’ll insist that I like it. I

seem strangely familiar. They stand there motionless, their hands clasped as they watch the scene with my kidnappers unfold. Their wrinkled faces are drawn

at?” The first man grumbles, sounding annoyed that my full

there.” The second mutters in frustration. I can’t focus enough to comprehend that they can’t see the strange men, I’m still staring at the pair with desperation,

a whoosh of air, and then a sickening crack as pain explodes across my cheekbone. I hear myself cry out, even though I hate giving them the satisfaction. My vision goes black for a moment, then fills with stars as I blink up at the men in confusion. Any hope I’d kept alive dies as I accept the fact that no rescue is in store for me. They’re going to r.ape me, and then they’re going to sell me to

gravity, the reality of that future slams into me, and suddenly my stomach is rising into my throat. I vomit onto the ground beside me, and the men

I don’t want to get it on me.” The

being wrenched

sky, wishing to leave my body, to be knocked unconscious so that if I must be violated, I won’t have to remember it. Then something glints in my periphery, like silver and starlight. It’s just a flash, buried among the leaf litter and