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

lights. She blinked rapidly against the offensive light and lifted her hand to rub at her eyes.
    A cord rose up with her arm, and she squinted at the clear tube. IV. She shot up, tossing the blankets to the floor.
    Nate stood up from a chair in the corner and walked toward her slowly. “You’re up,” he stated, raising his hands so she could see them. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
    Tess met his eyes and swallowed as she recalled how she’d ended up here.
    “How do you feel?” he asked. His eyes flicked to the beeping monitor and then back to her.
    “I’m all right,” she answered indifferently. Her side ached, but he didn’t need to know that.
    “Good,” he grinned. The smile lit up his amber eyes.
    “Why are you here?” she asked quietly.
    “Orders. Members of the council are meeting now. I’m supposed to stay with you until they decide what to do,” he shrugged.
    She didn’t need a bodyguard. I’ll just show myself out, thank you. “Well then, your job is done. I’ll be on my way,” she replied as she looked at the tape holding the IV in place. Carefully, she placed her fingers over the adhesive and pried it off.  She grunted as the sticky tape ripped off the top layer of her skin.
    “Whoa,” Nate argued, his hand shooting out to cover hers. Heat seeped through his fingers into her skin, sending gooseflesh shooting up her arm. “You still need to heal.”
    “I feel better.” She did too. Her side was sore, but nowhere near the throbbing she’d endured the past few days.
    “There is no rush, Tess, you can stay as long as you need,” he offered.
    Tess stared down at his hand that still rested over hers. A part of her wanted to stay. Why? For a man she barely knew. That made no sense. No one—except Nate... maybe—wanted her here. Even if she wanted to stay, she had to find her family. They were still out there somewhere. What if they were hurt too and needed help? She had to get back out there.
    Her mind made up, she pushed his hand away and ripped the rest of the tape off her arm. She gritted her teeth and pulled the needle out of her arm. A rivulet of blood bubbled to the surface, and she flexed her hand, hissing as her bones snapped and nails elongated into their feline form. Once the paw was formed, she shifted it back, smiling when the small spot where the IV had been disappeared. She was healed—well for the most part. Now, she just needed to shift fully and her side would be better.
    She slid off the bed and stood up. Her feet wobbled slightly, causing her to sway. Nate’s hand jutted out to help steady her. Tess gasped at the contact, her eyes flicking to meet his.
    “You sure you’re okay?” he asked, holding her shoulders tighter.
    Tess yawned and stretched, rising up on her tiptoes to work out the kinks. She felt like she’d slept for two days.  “Yeah. How long was I out for?” she asked curiously, gazing into his eyes. Her stretching had brought her closer to him, their chests brushed against each other, causing her breath to hitch. She blinked getting lost in his stare. It was mesmerizing. Again, she found herself wanting to close the distance between them.
    “Six hours,” Nate blurted, jolting her back to her senses.
    Six hours? That was too long. Every hour she spent here was time she wasn’t spending searching for her family. She snapped out of her trance. If her sister made it out with her mate and the others, then they could be to Ohio already. “Seriously? I have to go,” she said, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.
    “Where?” he asked concerned.
    “Ohio, Cincinnati area. To look for my family,” she explained.
    “I don’t know of any packs—prides in Ohio,” Nate replied, stepping back so she could gather her things.
    “Well, werecats are your enemy,” she reminded. Why would he know where they were?
    “True,” he conceded. “But I was in the Cincinnati area a few months ago to help out a werebear family. They said they were the only shifters