Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

youth. The fighting had nothing to do with her. She wasn’t even born,” he insisted. It was the truth everything that had happened between the wolves and the cats took place decades ago.
    His mom smoothed a hand over her pristine, grey suit. “They can’t be trusted. Cats betrayed us in the past, they’ll do it again,” she snapped. “If werecats or hunters end up here, it will be on you.” She arched a pointed brow at him.
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said through gritted teeth before walking past his mother. Maybe one day he’d do something to her satisfaction. Yeah right, hell would freeze over first.
    Nate hiked up the hill, ignoring the stares from his fellow shifters. Everyone was curious about the werecat—including him. But more importantly, he yearned to know Tess was going to be okay. Ironic that a slip of a girl, who he’d known for less than two hours, already had him concerned. He cared about the shifters he rescued, and always wanted the best for them, but this was different. His stomach knotted with worry, and his heart clenched tightly in his chest. He needed her to be okay.
    He made his way to the top of the incline and shoved aside the brush that led to the entrance. The sliding doors hissed open, and he entered the large compound. Sanctuary was above ground, but used the mountain and the trees to disguise the large building. Vegetation covered the roof, walls, and most of the windows, giving the compound the perfect disguise.
    Nate traveled down the long corridors and into the medical wing. The stench of antiseptic hit him hard as he entered, and he twitched his nose in displeasure. He hated the alcohol odor of the infirmary. Too many mishaps as a youth—and a few as an adult too—had landed him here.
    As he continued down the long beige hall, one of the doors opened and his father stepped out. His old man’s eyes widened with surprise as they landed on Nate.
    “Is she going to be all right?” Nate asked, ignoring his father’s look.
    His father placed his hands behind his back and turned to look into the small rectangular window. “Doc is getting her some medicine now. She’s still fairly coherent and able to walk, I don’t imagine the poison has caused any permanent damage yet.”
    “Good.”
    “How did you come by her?” his father asked, still gazing into the infirmary.
    “I didn’t. Eden did,” he explained.
    His father snapped his head toward Nate at the mention of Eden. “How did that happen?”
    Nate nodded towards the closed door. “Tess wandered into Gordy’s last night, then passed out.”
    “You’re positive no one followed her?” his father pressed.
    “I wouldn’t have left Eden if I’d thought there was danger,” he assured his father.
    “I know,” he sighed and ran a hand through his greying hair. “How is your sister? I presume she is well?”
    “She’s good,” he assured. Eden was a sore spot for his father. He didn’t get to see his daughter as often as he wanted.
    His father smiled faintly and placed a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “I’m glad. Be sure to keep an eye on her though. I fear it won’t be long until the hunters make their way here. All of our neighbors have been forced into taking residence here. There isn’t another pack for five hundred miles.” He shook his head sadly. His father’s eyes snapped to the left, staring at something behind Nate. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to meet with the council.” He nodded to someone behind him and held up one finger. “I trust you’ll stay with her until after the meeting. Some of the council members won’t like her presence.”
    Yeah. His mom was one of them. Nate leaned against the wall. “I’ll be here.” There wasn’t anywhere else he wanted to be.
    ***
    T ess groaned, turning onto her side. She let out a strangled yelp as the motion sent a burning sensation through her side. Rolling onto her back, she opened her eyes and stared up at the bright florescent