Seven

Tomatin was definitely small but it had a bed and breakfast and that meant Eva had somewhere safe to lock herself away for a few days until her heat passed.

So far she hadn't sensed any werewolves but that didn't mean they weren't around. Luckily humans didn't react to a werewolf in heat so it wasn't like Eva would have to avoid all contact, definitely a relief given that Eva didn't think she could stay locked up in a room for three days straight.

Dumping her bag on the small lumpy bed, Eva decided a shower was in order and then something to eat. She had spotted a cafe down the road and the thought of hot food instead of packaged sandwiches or rabbits she caught when in wolf form was too inviting to miss out on.

Clean and dressed in fresh clothing, Eva grabbed her room key and headed out to find the cafe.

15 minutes down the road she found the white cottage with a pavement sign by the gate announcing to the deserted road that they were open and offering free tea and coffee with any full breakfasts ordered. There was something quaint about the place as Eva stepped in, the scent of food and coffee meeting her as she looked around the near empty cafe. It was cosy, maybe a little dark thanks to the dark wood furniture but for Eva it meant she could keep a low profile more easily.

Eva took a table away from the two couples already seated and eating. Eva felt her tummy grumble at the sight of the roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy one of the couple's was enjoying.

Sighing tiredly, Eva sank into a seat and picked up the menu a waitress had left with a smile.

Running was probably the dumbest move Eva could have pulled but she didn't care. She had made it three weeks so far.

She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep going but every time she stumbled across the scent of another wolf, Eva remembered why she was doing this. So far she was certain she has avoided any run-ins with werewolves, especially any that were from a certain Motorcycle club styled pack.

The food was good and her body hummed with satisfaction as the food warmed Eva's belly and the coffee she was sipping was a pleasant change from watery concoctions from vending machines. Eva could feel her tired muscles relaxing, looking forward to some sleep on something that wasn't the ground or a coach seat.

The sound of the bell above the door tinkling as it opened had Eva freezing. The cold damp air from outside pushed into the warmth of the cafe and sent a wave of werewolf pheromones Eva's way.

She had known the man stepping into the small cafe was a Hellhound before she even dared to glance at him. She had only been in town for a day and hadn't planned to stay long but this sighting had put a spanner in the works and now all Eva could think about was getting the hell out of the cafe quickly and without being noticed so she could get the hell away. So much locking herself in a hotel room to ride out her heat.

At least it's not him she thought dismally as she watched from behind the menu in her hands as the man made his way to the other end of the cafe, taking a seat so his back was to Eva and thankfully the door.

Her mind wandered for a moment as she thought of her mate. Daniel Wolfe, Alpha of the Hellhound pack. He was everything the rumors said about him and worse. It didn't matter that his pack were close allies of the pack Eva had grown up in though, the moment Eva realised Daniel was her mate, she ran, leaving everything behind.

She had sworn long before Daniel turned up that she wouldn't give her heart to another ever again. Not that she had a heart to give. It had been smashed to pieces just one year before Daniel walked into her life.

So what if Noah hadn't been her destined mate? Eva had still loved him. They had flirted and dated and eventually fallen in love. They had moved in together and two years into the relationship, Eva learned she was pregnant.

But that was all gone now and now Eva was left to pick up the pieces. She simply had nothing to give that any person wanted in a significant other.

This was why she wouldn't accept Daniel Wolfe as her mate. That and he had a reputation of being a heartless asshole.

Placing a couple of notes on the table, Eva pulled the hood of her coat over her head and tucked the locks of auburn hair into her hood to hide it. Sure it was just hair but she couldn't be too careful. Any wolf wanting to stay on the good side of the Hellhounds would jump at the chance to hand her in like some prize.

It was a small amount of good luck that it was raining outside so it wouldn't appear weird to see someone walking around with their hood up. Head down, it took all of Eva's willpower not to bolt the moment she was out the door but instead walked as calmly as she could until she was out of sight of the cafe before running.

The small bed and breakfast she had checked into was just a fifteen minute walk from the cafe. Eva reckoned she could make it in five if she ran and be packed on the road again within an hour if she was smart. Hopefully the biker was completely oblivious to her being in town and better yet, probably not there to look for her.

Bursting through the door, the young brunette ignored the curious glances of some of the other guests as she took the stairs two at a time and fumbled with the key to her room. By now her heart was hammering and not just because she had ran all the way. Fear had her so rattled that it took a moment to acknowledge the tall tattooed man sitting on the small couch in the room, steel grey eyes trained right on her as she burst in.

"Hey kiddo, long time no see."

Eva's heart dropped, her hazel eyes widening in shock as she stared at Daniel's beta, Kade.

As he stood, Eva spun to leave the room, practically running straight into the one person that Eva hoped never to see again.

Dark blue eyes bore into Eva as the Alpha glared down at her, his hands resting on the frame of the door to trap Eva in. Even with the sense of dread and panic rushing over Eva she still felt the pull of the mating bond, her wolf crying out for her mate. The bond threatened to wrap around her and pull her under its waves but Eva resisted like she always did.

Instinctively Eva took a step back, trembling hands coming up as if to protect herself. She was a fighter but right now she felt like she wouldn't know how to throw a punch if she tried.

Pushing away from the door frame, Daniel stepped into the room slowly, almost as if he was a predator stalking his prey. His eyes never left the woman in front of him, the woman who had run away from him.

"Hello, love." His smooth deep voice broke the silence once the door was shut leaving Eva with no escape. "Did you miss me?"