The Alpha's Search (The Craven Trilogy, #1) Read Online Free PDF

which was moist with sweat. Would these damn nightmares ever end? At least my headache had gone. I glanced at my phone which was on the bedside cabinet. Ten to four? I hadn't intended to sleep for so long.
    “Alison?” There was no sign of her in the lounge or kitchen. “She'd probably succumbed to her retail addiction, and gone back into town. Her bedroom door was ajar.
    “Alison?” I pushed the door open. She was lying face down on the bed. “You asleep?”
    No response. I was just about to leave when I noticed something on the white pillowcase. Something red.
    “Are you okay?” I walked over to the bed. “No! Oh God! No!”
    The pillowcase and bed cover were stained red. Alison's eyes were wide open, but she couldn't see me. “No! No!”
    “Louise.” The voice came from behind me.

Chapter 3
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    H e slammed the bedroom door closed. His eyes were dead; there was blood on his lips. I tried to speak, but my brain wouldn't connect with my mouth. I glanced again at Alison. I must still be dreaming—another nightmare—this couldn't possibly be real.
    “Louise,” he said. “Did you really think you could escape?”
    “What do you want?” I'd found my voice, but it sounded as feeble as I felt.
    “I think you know.”
    I had no idea. The last time I'd seen him was when he tried to deliver a parcel to the flat earlier in the day. “Who are you?”
    He smiled, and I could see traces of red on his white teeth. The man was obviously insane. I had to get out of there, so I made a dash for it, but before I could grab the handle, he'd put his body between me and the door.
    “There's no escape.” He sneered. “This day has been a long time coming.”
    “Please. Let me go.”
    The next thing I knew, I was choking. He had his hand around my throat, and had lifted me off my feet. I couldn't breathe. I scratched at his face, and kicked him, but it had no effect. I tried to scream, but could make no sound. I fought to stay conscious. A sickening smile was plastered on his face as he stared into my eyes.
    “Why?” I tried to say, but my voice failed. Blackness began to engulf me.
    I gasped for air as I landed with a thud against the bed frame. Pain wracked my back and leg. My vision was swimming as I tried to make sense of the sight in front of me. Two figures moved back and forward—sometimes separately—sometimes clamped together. Craven? I blinked my eyes to try to clear my vision. Two men? An animal? My head was still reeling. A deafening howl filled the room. Then a scream—of pain?
    Darkness engulfed me again.
    When I came around, the side of my face was resting against something cold. It took a colossal effort, but I managed to raise my head. Through the glass, I could see the countryside flashing by. I was in a car which I didn't recognise.
    “You awake?” Craven glanced at me from the driver's seat.
    “Where are we?”
    “We have to get away.”
    “Where are you taking me?” I flinched as pain shot down my back.
    “Are you okay?” he said.
    “I guess.” I said—unsure if I was. “What happened back there?”
    “I'll explain everything later. I promise.”
    “Alison?”
    “Your friend is dead. I'm so very sorry.”
    It was too much. I had so many questions, but I was too tired to even think—let alone talk. I closed my eyes, and hoped I'd wake up back in my bed. This was surely another nightmare.
    I woke up in a bedroom which was much larger and tidier than my own. I sat up—my leg and back were still aching. I appeared to be in some kind of log cabin. As I stumbled out of bed, I was relieved to find I was still wearing my clothes. Through the window, I could see that the cabin was in a clearing bordered by thick woodland. Where the hell was I? I stood still for several minutes and listened, but couldn't hear any sounds from within the cabin.
    I vaguely remembered being in a car—with Craven? Was he here? Wherever here was.
    “Louise, you're awake.” Craven said.
    He