The Mating(106)

“Maybe we could hold her for ransom, and send a note demanding cash. Once it’s paid, I’ll transfer the money into the Swiss account I’ve set up for us so it will be untouchable. Then we can still get rid of her.” Rose glanced at her absentmindedly and Elise froze, but the gun-wielding woman made no comment and returned to her conversation.

Nodding, Marla’s eyes lit up. “That’s good, real good. You know, Rose, you continually surprise me. It’s amazing what you can do with that computer at the bank.” Rose blushed at the praise, and Elise rolled her eyes as she continued to distance herself slowly from the women.

“Now where can we keep her until the ransom is paid?” Rose furrowed her brow for a moment, but quickly brightened. “I know! At your apartment!”

“All right, but how do we get her there?” Marla studied Elise who was hugging her arms around herself and pretending to be passively awaiting her fate.

“We could still drug her, but then you’d have to carry her to your car and get her into your apartment unseen.” Rose decided.

The comment drew Marla’s attention back towards Rose. “Me? Carry her? Why can’t you carry her?”

“I came up with the idea. You have to contribute something.” Hands on her hips, Rose glared at Marla, obviously not noticing the gun was no longer pointing at their captive.

Sensing this might be her best chance, Elise shifted into her wolf and began to run. A shout sounded behind her when they realized what she’d done, and several shots rang out. The bullets whizzed past, thankfully missing her and hitting the surrounding trees, causing chunks of bark to fly out like miniature explosions. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the other two women changing form and taking up the chase.

Having a head start only gave her a bit of an advantage. She didn’t know the terrain in this part of the woods well enough to run at full speed. Keeping herself low to lessen wind resistance, she sped along as fast as she dared, constantly scanning the ground ahead of her for possible trip hazards, while keeping her ears attuned for sounds of pursuit.

A ravine was coming up, and she wasn’t sure how big it was. Could she clear it? It seemed awfully wide. Making a split second decision, she veered to the left, and ran along its edge while frantically searching for a way across it. As she ran, she berated herself for not having paid closer attention while walking earlier. She had no real idea where she was. All she knew was that the Alpha house was north of her present position. If she had the time, she could have simply followed their scent back into familiar territory, but with two wolves on her tail, it wasn’t possible.

Quickly glancing over her shoulder, she frowned. Only Marla was in sight. Switching her gaze forward again, Elise strained to hear what was going on behind her, but could only detect one pursuer. Where was Rose? There was little time to think about it though. A fallen tree was coming into sight, and it spanned the ravine. If she could only make it that far...

Movement just ahead of her had her growling in frustration. Rose had obviously gone cross country and was coming at her from the side. Elise dug deep, calling on all her reserves, and ran as fast as possible. The makeshift bridge was approaching. She could make it. Her lungs were starving for oxygen and she was panting heavily. She was almost there. Gathering all her strength, she prepared to leap, coiling her muscles, and launching herself through the air, just as a large furry object appeared in her peripheral vision. It hit her in the side, knocking her to the ground.

The momentum of their bodies sent Elise and Rose tumbling. The edge of the ravine was approaching and Elise dug her claws in, trying to prevent herself from going over the edge, but it was no use. Clods of dirt flew into the air. Stones and shrubs bruised and abraded as she spun over and over. The air was filled with the sound of breaking twigs and clattering rocks, cries of fright and gasps of pain. Her leg caught in a crevice and she twisted. A bone snapped. She yelped in agony, then slammed to the ground in a sudden stop.

For a moment everything was eerily still and quiet. Then Elise became aware of her own laboured breathing and cautiously tried to move. Pain shot through her and she bit her lip, holding back a whimper. Opening her eyes, she noted that at some point during the wild tumble down the ravine, she’d phased into her human form. Shifting her glance sideways, she saw Rose’s body lying a few feet away in a pool of blood, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle. Elise shut her eyes and swallowed the bile that suddenly rose in her throat.

A sound overhead drew her attention. Forcing herself to open her eyes, she turned her head. Standing at the top of the ravine was Marla. She was back in human form. Licking her lips, Elise managed to call out. “Marla, you have to get help. I...I think Rose might be dead and I’m pretty sure my leg is broken.”