Chapter 44: Chapter 44

I flinched with every gunshot I heard. It was followed by heavy footsteps coming from above us. They must be on the third floor during the construction. I roamed my eyes, looking for something to get up there. I almost cried when I heard a loud screeching noise of claws coming directly above my spot. I stopped, then looked up. My eyes alter, and the dog on my arms lets out a low howl of cry. The footsteps continued.

"It's Ethan, t-they found him." my voice cracked, then abruptly looked around the area. I sprint in my tracks, holding on for my breath while my heart beats crazy. When I saw stairs, I quickly ran on them, almost tripping and falling on my knees, but I didn't admit defeat. I held my head high and then continued to look for Ethan.

The gunshot was stopped, making me lose track of where they were. I was short-winded while casting my eyes around the corner. I was almost bathed in my own sweat. I gulped and then tried to run towards in front, not minding what I might encounter upfront. I held the dog tight in between my arms, protecting it. Whatever happens, I will not leave this little one at his side.

I parted my lips, trying to gasp some air. I can't even see anything clearly as I squint my eyes. The dog shivered and then barked, which made me almost jump in shock. I gaze down at him, giving him the stare.

"Shhh…quiet," I told him, putting my finger on my lips, indicating he should be stopped. Still, my foolish brain should have known he wouldn't understand it as he kept on barking while looking ahead. I slowly lifted my head to examine what he was barking at when someone yanked me and then pulled me into a dark room. I was affright as I tried to pry away from its hands. The dog barked louder, echoing through the air when he hushed us down. His voice sends chills through my spine.

"Natasha?"

I stopped dead on my spot as I tried to look at the man who pulled us. The dog stopped barking, but his tail was waggling as if familiar with the person. I gulp down the lump in my throat and try to raise my hand to touch him.

"E-Ethan? Is that you?" my voice broke, and at the same time, the light coming from the window suddenly illuminated the room, giving me a quick look at his face. It was really him! Without hesitation, I hugged him so tight, as if we hadn't seen each other for a month. He wrapped his arms around my body and then buried his face in the nook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

"What are you doing here?" he asked magisterially before letting go. I opened my mouth to say something when he looked down at my arms, looking at the dog I held.

"Bobby?" Ethan sounded amused. His voice chirped. The dog wagged its tail wildly and then jumped into Ethan's arms. I watched them, dumbfounded. What's going on? Do they know each other?

"What are you doing here, Bobby? I told you to hide and wait for me." he scolded the dog while playing with its paw. The dog didn't say anything as he just lowered his head to the ground, looking guilty for his crime. I shook my head and then pointed at Ethan, who glanced at me, looking prosperous. However, he has blood all over his body then his clothes are reaping as if something had a slash on them.

"You know this dog?" I asked, bewildered, then pointed at Bobby, who barks cheerfully, answering my question.

Ethan nodded, "He's a smart stray dog I found earlier. I was about to bring him home when the police wandered all over the city, making me hard to escape. We split up earlier. However…"

He stroked Bobby's fur and then scratched on it. His tails are writhing back and forth, almost slapping on my face, then he rests his head on Ethan's chest, its eyes are shutting. He yawned, ascending to his comfort zone.

"He somehow found you," he whispered. I couldn't help but admire him. I have known Ethan as a destructible human whose everything he touched falls apart. Nevertheless, he looks so different before me. He held a poor animal between his arms, holding it with all his care, not minding his environment, as he only saw Bobby.

I smiled and then caressed his cheeks. He glimpses at me.

"Let's go home with our new baby," I told him, making his smile wider. His eyes were almost unbearable to see, but we both flinched when we heard loud heavy footsteps coming outside of the room. Ethan signaled me to be quiet and then covered the dog's mouth.

I snuck beside him, listening to the footsteps. Ethan's expression changed from unagitated to ravish in just a blink. He leans his head on the wall. His ears are moving, locating the sound where it is coming from. I gulped, clenching my hands, trying to tranquil down my heart that was pulsating chaotically.

"They're here," Ethan stated, then pulled me closer to him. My chest is crashing on his elbow.

"I swear I heard a dog's bark up here." suddenly, a voice echoed after a long silence. I almost squealed in shock, but Ethan covered my mouth with his fingers, giving me a taste of his flesh covered with dust, dirt, and blood. I almost gagged, but he silenced me when he felt something.

"Check every corner. The creature must be around here somewhere." I heard a deep voice ordered then it was followed by heavy stride. I glance at Ethan, whose eyebrows are furrowed, thinking of a plan. However, we stiffened in our spot when we felt someone was about to go inside the room we were hiding.

Ethan's fangs showed, and his claws were ready to attack. He bent his body, set to devour when I pinched his flesh. I shook my head, telling him he shouldn't be an onslaught. We are outnumbered. He stares at me before letting out a sigh.

"I think someone is here!" an officer yelled behind us, which meant he was close to our spot. My heart almost flew out of my rib cage when I felt their presence coming nearer. My whole body trembled in anxiousness. They were scared they might see us when someone yelled, making me close my eyes.

"I found something here!" it's another voice. The officers about to check this room stopped and followed the other agent. My shoulders relaxed which I didn't notice it was tensed. Ethan grabbed my hand.

"Let's go before they-"

We both froze in our spot when Bobby barked obstreperously enough to hear from the other side. Time suddenly drawn-out around me as I slowly turned to look at the door, which the officers kicked open and pointed their guns at us. The room falls into darkness, making it hard for us to see each other. I felt Ethan's hands grip tightly on mine, and he step back.

"We saw you! I know you're here! Surrender yourselves!" the officer ordered us, but we didn't move. I felt Ethan on my side change into his wolf form. I wanted to scold him because we were in front of the authority, and they might be caught him, but he didn't stop what he was doing.

"Get the flashlight!"

Ethan forced me, then wrapped his fur arms on my waist. He's pinning me on his body. He went to the window and then kicked it open, breaking the glass. At the same time, a gunshot filled the room.

"They are escaping! Call for backup!"

I saw the light illuminate the room. Our shadow was seen on the wall. I turned around, about to look at them, when Ethan jumped out of the window. I yelled but covered my mouth immediately. We drop on the roof swiftly. He didn't waste any more time as he strode away while holding Bobby and me in both of his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck, closing the space between us.

"They saw us."

I solidified when he suddenly spoke. His eyes are focused on his path, but his fangs are shown, and his expression looks baleful. The wind blew raspingly on my skin, along with my hair that was scattered everywhere.

"But they didn't see our face because I jumped on time."

I gulped. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe as I mentally created our situation if they caught us. They will take away Ethan from me. Those officers are ready to sacrifice everything just to get their hands on the wolf they have seen in the news. If we just didn't go out and plan that trip, none of this wouldn't happen. He wouldn't get exposed. I should have known any better.

Now, Ethan's life is in trouble, and it's all because of me.