Alpha's Dark Desires
Chapter 54: Changing Tactics

Chapter 54: Changing Tactics

Elena’s POV:

If there was one thing I’d learned from all my past attempts at escaping this motherfucking jerk, it was this: I couldn’t outrun him. Not in wolf form, not in human form, and definitely not in any damn car. Kane was relentless, fast, and his tracking skills were as infuriatingly good as his overinflated ego.

Running hadn’t worked before, but hiding? Now that was a strategy I hadn’t fully tested yet. And it was time to give it a shot.

This time, I needed a smarter plan. No more running blindly like a scared rabbit. No, this time, I was thinking outside the box.

As soon as I noticed he’d spotted me heading right, I pulled a quick U-turn and veered left the moment I was out of his sight. I knew he’d assume I’d taken the main road or continued straight toward freedom. But freedom wasn’t an option—not yet. I couldn’t go back to my pack. Hell, I had nowhere to go. No money, no clothes, no plan.

But then, just as despair was starting to creep in, I had what felt like a stroke of divine inspiration.

What were the chances of him searching is own place for me?

The guy was arrogant, cocky, and way too confident for his own good. He had no reason to think I’d hide in his stupidly enormous house. If there was one place he wouldn’t expect me to be, it was there, under his nose.

It wasn’t like I planned to live there permanently. No, I wasn’t that insane, just enough to wait out the storm. Once Kane started searching farther and farther away, or better yet, gave up completely, I’d slip away undetected. I’d be a ghost, vanish into the wind, and finally live my own life without being tethered to his ridiculous alpha ego.

If only the stubborn alpha would agree to the rejection, we could’ve parted ways ages ago. But no, he had to cling to me like some overbearing tyrant.

As the motorbike roared through the dense forest, I looked around for the perfect spot to ditch it. I found a clearing where the trees were thick, the canopy above dark enough to obscure sight from the sky. I brought the bike to a halt, killing the engine. This was as far as the bike could go.

Stepping off, I scanned the area. If Kane managed to track the bike here—and knowing him, he probably would—he’d think I’d ditched it and run deeper into the forest on foot or shifted into my wolf form.

But that wasn’t the plan. I had to make sure my scent trail ended here.

I needed to deal with the scent issue.

Wolf Intoxia.

The plant was rare but not impossible to find, especially in dense forests like this one. It was one of the few things that could completely mask a wolf’s scent. I’d heard stories of rogues using it to evade hunters, but I’d never had the need to search for it before. Until now.

The plant typically grew under large, old trees with thick canopies—somewhere shady and damp. The odds weren’t exactly in my favor, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

I started combing through the forest floor, scanning for the telltale green leaves tinged with a faint silver sheen. My fingers brushed aside dead leaves and twigs as I crouched low, trying not to think about how much time I had before Kane caught up.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. My heart pounded in my chest as I moved quickly but carefully, weaving between trees and shrubs. Come on, come on...

I spotted a cluster of large trees ahead and made a beeline for them, hope surging in my chest. The ground here was damp, the air cooler. Perfect conditions for Wolf Intoxia.

Dropping to my knees, I searched the base of the trees, my hands brushing over the soil. And then—I saw it.

A small patch of silvery-green leaves sprouting from the base of a thick, moss-covered tree.

"Finally," I whispered, relief washing over me.

I didn’t waste a second. Plucking a handful of leaves, I crushed them between my fingers, releasing a sharp, bitter scent. It wasn’t pleasant, but it would do the job. Rubbing the crushed leaves over my arms, legs, and clothes, I made sure to cover every inch of myself.

The scent was pungent, enough to mask my own wolf scent entirely. For good measure, I rubbed some on the bike’s seat and handles, making it seem like I’d touched it long before taking off on foot.

Stepping back, I surveyed the area. The bike looked abandoned, and with no scent trail leading away from it, Kane would assume I’d shifted into my wolf and run deeper into the forest.

I smirked, feeling a rare flicker of satisfaction. Let’s see you find me now, Alpha.

But I didn’t have time to bask in my small victory. The forest was dense, but I knew the way. His mansion wasn’t too far from here—of course, he had a mansion nestled in the woods, because why wouldn’t he? Fucking jerk. With renewed determination, I jogged through the forest, careful to stay off the main trails. The last thing I needed was to run into him while he was scouring the area. By the time I reached the edge of the forest, the sun was higher in the sky, casting long shadows over the sprawling estate.

I needed to move. Keeping low, I retraced my steps back toward Kane’s property, careful to stay out of sight and avoid leaving any tracks. My heart hammered in my chest as I slipped through the side entrance, my senses on high alert.

Now came the tricky part: sneaking back to his place without getting caught.

The plan was simple. I’d hide in the parts of his house he rarely used—like that guest wing he probably forgot even existed. The place was massive, and unless he searched every nook and cranny, I had a good chance of avoiding him.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as I pictured his reaction when he realized I’d outsmarted him.

It took longer than I anticipated, but I finally reached the edge of the property. His sprawling mansion loomed ahead, its tall windows reflecting the morning sun. My heart raced as I approached, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling in my chest.

The back door was my best bet. From what I’d observed in my short time here, the staff rarely used it when they came to clean it, and it led to the less-frequented parts of the house.

I slipped in as quietly as I could, every step deliberate and cautious. The air inside was cool and carried a faint scent of pine and cedarwood. It was oddly calming, even though I was essentially sneaking into the belly of the beast.

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

I crept through the halls, sticking to the shadows. My plan was simple: hide in one of the unused guest rooms or maybe the attic. Somewhere Kane would never think to look.

Just a few days, I told myself. A week at most. Then I’m gone for good.

As I ducked into a small, unused storage room, I couldn’t help but smirk. Kane might think he’s the smartest, strongest alpha out there, but this time?

This time, I’d outsmart him.

And when I finally escaped, he’d realize he was better off accepting my rejection than chasing after a mate who wanted nothing to do with him.

Of course, this was just the beginning. Staying hidden was going to be the real challenge. But for now, I allowed myself a small moment of victory.

I’d beaten the big, bad alpha at his own game.

Let’s see how long it takes him to realize I’m not running anymore.

Kane POV:

Damn it, Elena.

The roar of my frustration echoed in my head as I bolted back to the house and grabbed my car keys. The moment I saw her ride off on my motorbike, my blood boiled. Not only because she had the audacity to steal my bike but because the thought of her out there, reckless and stubborn as hell, made my wolf restless.

The car roared to life as I sped out of the driveway, tires screeching against the asphalt. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, the image of her raising her middle finger at me burning in my mind. Defiant little minx.

"She doesn’t get far," I muttered to myself, my wolf snarling in agreement. "Not this time."

I opened my link to my patrol teams, my tone sharp and authoritative.

I opened my link to my patrol teams, my tone sharp and authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

"All units, listen up. I need eyes on a motorbike—blue, custom build—ridden by a girl. Small frame, brown hair, likely wearing something ridiculous like a short romper. She’s my mate, so don’t you dare touch her if you spot her. Just stop her and report back to me immediately. Got it?"

A chorus of affirmations echoed through the link.

I clenched my jaw, my foot pressing harder on the gas. The tires screeched as I turned sharply, heading toward the dense forest that bordered my property. She’s predictable in her unpredictability. She might’ve gone off-road if she thought it’d throw me off her trail. My bike had a tracker

My wolf stirred restlessly. She thinks she’s smart, but she doesn’t know how sharp we are.

I glanced at my phone mounted on the dashboard. The tracking system on the bike was live, but for some reason, the signal was static. Damn forest interference. I smirked despite my frustration—of course, she’d take off into the thickest part of the woods. She probably thought she’d lose me there.

"Alpha," one of my patrols linked back, "no sign of her on the main road heading north or east."

I opened the mind-link again, my tone sharp and commanding.

"All patrols currently off duty, listen up. I want every available wolf combing the forest to the west of my estate immediately. She’s likely abandoned the bike and is on foot or in wolf form. Spread out in teams, sweep every inch of the area. Report back the second you find anything, even the smallest clue. I’m heading there now."

"Yes, Alpha," came the immediate responses.

The forest to the west was dense, thick with underbrush, and sprawling with miles of hidden paths and blind spots. If she’d gone there, she was clearly trying to buy herself time. Smart move, Elena. But you forget—I know this territory better than anyone.

I turned the car sharply at the next intersection, my tires skidding briefly before gripping the road. The forest came into view, dark and ominous, as the sun crept higher in the sky. My grip on the wheel tightened, and I sped toward the edge of the treeline.