Page 12 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

I lay there, pretending to be asleep. I heard the chatter of them cleaning the kitchen, but I knew there had to be a telepathic conversation happening, too.

I knew the Sentinels could speak to each other the same way I suspected Cerys and Brax did.

There was no way they would ignore what Fennick and, through Fennick, Nico saw.

I wanted to believe it was all a dream, or, to put it more accurately, a nightmare.

Ernie and Peaches had tried their best to lessen my trauma by telling me it was my imagination.

They meant well, and I loved them for trying.

However, I knew it was all too real. And it was my greatest shame.

I never told anyone about it. Now, I had somehow taken Fennick into my memory. I had no clue how that happened.

Regardless, they were all aware of it. There was no way I could face them, or Asa’s group, when they undoubtedly found out. I should’ve kept on alone rather than joining them on their trek. If I had, this would’ve never happened.

I listened as the house grew quieter and the others left.

Fennick took the longest. When he was gone, I waited for Cerys to settle.

She came to the door, softly knocked a couple of times, and whispered my name, but I didn’t respond, so she went on her way.

I thought I’d never get my chance, but eventually, I heard her enter her bedroom after lunch.

Not long afterward, I listened to her breathing slow. She was asleep.

Moving stealthily, I repacked the few items I’d taken out of my bag. Tiptoeing downstairs, I found and filled a large bottle with water. Though I felt guilty, I took several energy bars I saw in the pantry. I placed money on my bed for them. Before I left, I scribbled a note.

Thank you for your hospitality. I appreciate it. Please tell Asa thank you from me. I hate to leave so soon, but it’s time for me to return to traveling alone. I’ll see if there really is a haven in Arkansas or Tennessee. If there is, I’ll find a way to send word.

Regards, Akiva

Leaving the note with the money, I took one last look around. It had been wonderful to be in a place that felt like an actual home again. Even if it was for only one night, it comforted me while making me yearn for it. That was a dream I knew would never come true.

The next part would be the hardest—to get away and hide my scent trail, or confuse it enough that no one could track me.

The two reasons I worried about doing it were Hadar and Fennick.

When Hadar discovered I had left, he might try to follow me.

I wasn’t convinced he’d given up on his stupid desire to make me his mate, though I bet it was more his current sex partner until he found someone else.

As for Fennick, he had a strong sense of responsibility, and even though he didn’t know me, he might feel that he had to come after me and bring me back.

It was all part of his personality and his duty as a Sentinel.

I headed straight for the road. I alternated running and jogging until I was well on the outskirts of Needles. There, close to trails that went into the surrounding trees and mountains, numerous scents combined. Clearly, many people used the trails to hike. That was good.

Rummaging in my pack, I found the two bottles I wanted.

The first was a coconut-scented sunscreen.

I applied it to my exposed skin and even reached under my clothing to put it there.

The second one was a strongly scented body spray.

I layered it all over. It almost choked me, but hopefully, it would disperse my scent and blend with the others.

I took off again once they were applied.

It was well over an hour before I found what I was looking for.

I’d let my nose lead me to it. There was a stream.

It wasn’t as wide as I hoped, but it would do.

I paused there to scoop up mud from the bottom of it.

I applied this to my exposed skin as well.

It was a further move to disperse or camouflage my scent.

After it was on, I walked in the middle of the water for a mile before exiting on the opposite side and continuing.

I didn’t walk in a direct line. Instead, I zigzagged and doubled back.

I kept watching my backtrail. Why I was so convinced I’d be followed by one of the men in Needles, I didn’t know.

However, it wasn’t just Fennick and Hadar I had to worry about.

I didn’t forget that. The whole reason I started on this journey was still out there.

And I knew for sure I was hunted. Traveling with Asa’s group, I had been convinced I had disguised my aroma enough among so many to be undistinguishable.

As I kept going, my mind was split between staying alert and thinking of the time from when the Sentinels came upon us until now.

While all of them were imposing, strong, and attractive men, the one who stood out among the group was Fennick.

I wasn’t disappointed in one part of him.

He was the whole package with the bonus of being a bear.

It was rare for me to run into other bears.

Or maybe I was just that good at avoiding them.

Life was incredibly lonely when you had to fear getting close to anyone.

It was even lonelier when you were hiding.

All I wanted was to live a simple life and partner with someone who loved me, on whom I could pour my love and affection.

If we were lucky, we’d have a couple of kids.

I didn’t think I was asking for too much.

Before night fell, I was able to take out my camera, my prized possession, and snap some beautiful photos. If I were fortunate, I’d be able to sell them. I never knew where I might capture the next unbelievably gorgeous sight.

My camera skills and artistic eye enabled me to be a nomad while earning a living.

I was a freelance photographer. I occasionally received assignments from high-end clients to feature in their magazines.

Other times, I sold my work online to interested parties.

I lived frugally, so I more than made enough to survive.

If I were able to stay in one place and truly focus on my work, I’d do even better. Maybe one day. I sighed at the thought.

Darkness had fallen, and with it, the night creatures came alive and out to roam.

I wasn’t afraid. I was able to defend myself in both forms. I had my gun out if I couldn’t scare something off.

I would be less likely to run into snakes since they would be too cold to venture out.

However, the temperature wouldn’t deter other animals.

I heard the hoot of an owl in the distance.

Closer was the patter of feet in the scrub brush.

My senses told me it was a skunk. The cry of a mountain lion in the distance made me take notice.

Then there was the howl of a coyote, which was a greater distance away.

Bats flew overhead in large groups, looking for a meal.

I walked and jogged, relying on my superior vision and enhanced sense of my surroundings to avoid tripping and falling.

I kept alternating and moving southeast until I was too exhausted to continue.

I knew I had to get some rest, then rise and continue.

I found a likely spot on a large, flat rock.

It was hard, but preferable to being on the ground and having bugs and who knows what else crawling on me all night.

I shivered at the thought. I laid out a ground cover, then removed the survival blanket I carried.

I had a couple, and while they looked like foil, they trapped and preserved your body heat.

I brought them since they added no weight to my pack and took up almost no space.

I wiggled and flipped, trying to find a better way to lie and not be so hard, but I gave up.

I worked on slowing my breathing. I knew I wouldn’t go under far even if I fell asleep.

My brain was trained to remain alert and wake me if anything seemed out of sync.

As I drifted off, it was Fennick who lulled me to sleep.

The memory of that kiss lived vividly in my head.