Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha-Chapter 99: Blind Running

The rock slips from my bloody fingers after one last desperate strike. Nothing. Not even a crack. My legs give out and I slide down the wall, pulling Princess Paws close as another coughing fit wracks my body.

Fine. If brute force won’t work, maybe...

I close my eyes and reach out with that odd awareness I’ve been developing. The purple lines under my skin pulse, and suddenly the darkness behind my eyes lights up with dozens of flickering lights. People. So many people, all moving with purpose. Toward us.

My heart pounds against my ribs as one particular presence blazes brighter than the rest. The energy signature feels familiar—but I don’t know who it is. Maybe it’s Eliana.

It’s impossible to tell. Not using my magic often definitely has its limitations.

I press back against the wall, as if I could somehow hide from that approaching power. But there’s more. Other sparks of life trapped in the rubble with me. Most are dim, probably unconscious. But one...

Another powerful presence pulses through the debris. Different from Eliana’s, but just as strong. Xavier. Of course a mere building collapse wouldn’t take out a dragon. The thought sends a chill down my spine despite the stuffy air.

The cotton-wool feeling in my ears starts to fade, replaced by the groan of settling concrete and distant shouts. Princess Paws’ claws dig into my chest as she burrows closer.

A sudden thud makes me jump. The window at my back vibrates and—

The safety glass explodes inward. I curl around Princess Paws, turning my back to shield her as countless razor-sharp fragments pepper my skin. The cat yowls in protest, squirming against my grip as tiny shards rain down around us like deadly crystal snow.

But my shock is short-lived.

The most pressing thing now is my desire to survive, and now that the glass is gone—I can. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Glass crunches under my feet as I hoist myself through the shattered window. Princess Paws trembles against my chest, her claws pricking through my shirt. The dust cloud engulfs us, thick and choking, but anything beats being trapped inside.

My legs shake with each step. The purple lines under my skin pulse brighter, making me a human lighthouse in this haze. Perfect. Just perfect. Hopefully no one notices.

Through my magical awareness, I sense the group of people moving closer. Their energy signatures flare like beacons in my mind—some bright, some dim, all heading in my direction. I veer left, away from the strongest presence.

"Over there!" A voice cuts through the settling debris.

I freeze. My heart pounds against my ribs as I force myself to keep moving. Running would make too much noise, draw too much attention. But this slow pace is torture, each step careful and measured while my instincts scream at me to bolt.

The dust starts to thin, just enough for me to make out my feet against dark asphalt. Road, not sidewalk. Good. At least I won’t walk face-first into a lamppost or tree. Small victories.

Princess Paws lets out a tiny sneeze, and I tuck her deeper into my jacket. "Shh," I whisper, though I doubt anyone could hear over the chaos behind us. Sirens wail in the distance. More voices join the first, shouting coordinates and commands.

A surge of energy to my right—someone’s getting closer. I adjust course again, angling away. The purple lines throb beneath my skin, and I swear they’re getting brighter. Like they’re trying to signal my location to everyone within a mile radius.

"Check the perimeter!" The voice is closer now. Too close.

I press myself against what feels like a car, holding my breath as footsteps crunch past. The dust swirls around my ankles, disturbed by movement I can barely see. My magical awareness lights up with approaching signatures, and I realize with growing dread that they’re spreading out in a search pattern.

They’re looking for me. And I’m literally glowing like a purple Christmas tree.

I’d love to know what the hell is going on and why the building’s collapsed, but there’s no time for such luxuries.

The purple lines under my skin pulse with each heartbeat as I track the moving signatures around me. Left, then right, weaving between cars I can barely make out through the haze. Princess Paws stays silent against my chest, her tiny body warm through my shirt.

A bright presence approaches from behind. I duck behind something large, pressing my back against cold metal. Footsteps crunch past, accompanied by radio static and murmured commands.

"Section four clear. Moving to five."

The voice fades. I peek around the vehicle’s bumper, tracking the energy signature as it moves away. More lights flicker at the edges of my awareness. Their coordinated search is serious. Military precision. Eliana’s people must have serious training.

My legs burn from crouching. I shift weight, and glass tinkles beneath my feet. The nearest presence pauses. I hold my breath, willing them to move on. After an eternal moment, they continue their sweep.

The dust begins to settle. Through the thinning haze, I can make out the shapes of cars, buildings, street signs. About damn time. I blink away the magical awareness—no need to keep broadcasting my location when I can actually see.

Princess Paws squirms. I adjust my grip, keeping her secure as I creep between two sedans. The sirens are getting closer. Soon this place will be crawling with first responders. I need to disappear before—

"There!" The shout comes from my right.

My heart slams against my ribs. I abandon stealth and run.

Footsteps thunder behind me. Multiple sets. I dart left between buildings, sneakers slipping on loose gravel. Princess Paws digs her claws in, holding on as I sprint down what looks like a service alley.

"Stop! Nicole, wait!"

The voice sounds familiar, but I’m not falling for it. They’ll say anything to get me to slow down. I push harder, legs burning as I round another corner. Have to keep moving. Have to get away before—

A figure steps out from behind a dumpster. I skid, trying to change direction, but my feet slide on the wet pavement. As I stumble, more shadows emerge from the mist. They’re herding me, I realize. Like prey.

I spin, looking for an opening, any escape route. But they’ve blocked both ends of the alley.