Saving Kinsley

Kinsley's P.O.V

After Noah's timely entry, I was left to my work out somewhat un-bothered. I could feel eyes burning into me, but I powered through my work out paying no mind to the prying gazes.

The sun was beginning to set, from the little light I could see streaming through the windows. That meant it was time to find Vivi.

Sauntering out of the building, I set out to find my old friend.

Just as the thought passed through my mind, out came the blonde I'd be searching for. The smile on my face instantly fell to a scowl when I saw her face. A bruise marred her skin.

"Who did this?"

"No Kinsley, leave it alone. It'll only be much worse if you do anything." Vivi said as she turned from me. My hands began to shake as I thought of how hard she'd been hit to leave a bruise. Shifter's heal quickly, seeing this made me want to run inside and find whoever did this.

Anger began to bubble from me, the cup almost full. Threatening to spill over with bloodlust.

"It isn't okay Vivi, I can't sit back and do nothing."

"Can we just go please?" I could hear the plea in her voice. The urgency to drop this written all over her face.

"Fine, but I want to know who did that." I gestured to the growing bruise on her cheek.

Vivi gave a light nod and led the way into the dense Forrest. I spent several moments watching Vivi shift slowly, almost agonizingly.

The years I spent here in the past allowed me to learn more than I should about shifters, even though I hadn't been one myself at that point. All thanks to the pack library. Lower ranked wolves tend to shift much slower then the higher ranked wolves, unless they were mated. Why? I had no idea. In my opinion, we should all be equals in strength. I mean what were to happen if the weaker of the pack was targeted in an attack? I guess they, whoever they was, saw that as a way to eradicate the weak. I shivered at the thought. If I were ever to lead a pack I'd devote my time to the lower ranked wolves, make them just as capable as any other wolf.

Vivi's wolf slumped to the ground, breathing harshly. The efforts of shifting wearing both of them out. I pawed my way closer remaining on my belly, in a non threatening way and gently nudged her grey and white wolf.

Vivi let out a snort and stood not so gracefully, I patiently waited for her.

A few moments passed before the energy returned to Vivi, and soon we were sprinting through the light snow covered woods.

Our paws gracefully padded over the firm dirt and light snow, the sound almost rhythmic.

I could spend a life time running like this, I felt free.

Vivi led us to an opening, one I recognized barely. This is where I last spoke to Dakota, before finally leaving.

Shifting back, I stood staring at the field before me. I wanted to run again, but I knew he'd find me. Where would I go this time? I had no family, I couldn't go back to the Whiskey Tavern and risk every ones lives. I wouldn't risk Tate or Calum.

With a sigh I turned to Vivi, somewhere in my lost thoughts she must have shifted too as she was passing me clothes and shoes to put on.

"I come out here to think, no one ever comes to this side of the borders because there isn't anything worth seeing." Vivi spoke almost in a soft whisper, "I see potential. Potential of starting a new life." There was a wistful glint in her eye. I didn't need to hear anything more to convince me to take Vivi with me when I did leave again. Her eyes held the same past of abuse mine did.

"Yeah, I see the same thing." For a while we both sat in a comfortable silence. After a while I finally spoke up "You remember what I asked this morning?"

Vivi's head nodded, her eyes encouraging me to go on. "Well it wasn't hypothetical. I think that's happened between Dakota and I."

Blowing a breath out I continued without interruption "I over heard a conversation from the Alpha. My name is Kinsley Marshall. I just can't wrap my head around why they would allow me to believe my last name is Hart."

"They're hiding something Kinz, trust no one." Vivi's voice was cold, but she was right. I couldn't trust any of them, they were planning something and I needed to be gone before they carried it out.

Vivi helped me up from my spot on the ground, we both opted to walk through the Forrest in our human forms to catch up. We missed so many years together. Although back then, Vivi couldn't help much in my situation but she was still there for me as much as she could be. Most times it was her helping me back to the shack or cleaning the blood from my slow healing wounds. She had been the only one to witness my silent sobs when I could no longer hide the pain.

Vivi still hadn't found her mate but I learned Noah had a soft spot for her. I smiled at that "Noah's a good guy, at least from the little I've seen. You know, after Dakota rejected me he hauled me from the woods and let me crash at his place for a few days. He even came to my defense once he learned Dakota rejected me." I smiled at the memory.

"Sounds like Noah." Vivi laughed lightly.

We must have talked a lot and lost track of how much time had passed as we traveled through the woods because the pack house was now in our sights. And so was Dakota. "I'll see you around Kinz." Vivi whispered and jogged past Dakota to the pack house.

For a while I stood anchored in my spot as his gaze drilled into me. Finally having enough of the awkward stand off, I headed for the House. "Kinsley."

He said my name like he was commanding an army. Cold and calculated. This didn't sit well with me. "What do you want Dakota? Honestly, why am I here? You've chosen her as a Mate, why drag me here? Was it not enough to be rejected once?" My teeth clenched so hard I could feel a jolt of pain from the grinding through my jaw. He really knew how to get under my skin.

Dakota just looked at me, like really looked at me. As if he was peering into my soul with those eyes. For the briefest moment I thought he was finally going to tell me why I was here. Why he dragged me back here. That look quickly washed from his features, and once again I was staring at his backside. What the hell was his deal?