Maya's POV
Maya's heart hammered against her chest as she pressed herself against the tree trunk, trying to decide if Kai was there to save her or help the men hunting her. His motorbike idled nearby, the engine sound covering her heavy breathing.
"Maya, please," Kai called softly into the darkness. "I know you're scared, but I'm here to help you."
Maya wanted to believe him, but trust was a luxury she couldn't afford anymore. This was the same man who had walked away when she told him about their baby. The same man who was going to reject her tomorrow night in front of everyone.
"The Cross pack sent men to kill you," Kai continued, his voice desperate. "I saw them going to your cabin. We need to get you out of here now."
Kill her? Maya's blood turned to ice. She knew Victoria hated her, but murder? For a moment, Maya was too shocked to move.
"I have your car keys," Kai said. "I grabbed them from your cabin before those men got there. If you want to run, I'll help you. But we have to go now."
Maya stepped out from behind the tree, her legs shaking. Kai was standing next to his motorbike, holding her old car keys in his outstretched hand. Even in the moonlight, she could see the pain on his face.
"Why would you help me?" Maya asked, staying far enough away that she could run if needed.
"Because I love you," Kai said simply. "Because I made the worst mistake of my life when I walked away from you and our baby."
"Love?" Maya laughed bitterly. "You have a funny way of showing it."
"Maya, please. I know I hurt you. I know I picked wrong. But right now, none of that matters. What matters is keeping you and our child alive."
Maya heard voices screaming in the distance. The search group was getting closer.
"My car won't make it out of pack territory," Maya said. "It barely runs."
"Then take my motorcycle," Kai said without doubt.
Maya stared at him. "That's your bike. You love that thing more than anything."
"No," Kai said quietly. "I love you more than anything. And I almost lost you because I was too stupid to realize it."
The sounds were getting louder. Maya could hear dogs barking now too. They had maybe five minutes before the search group found them.
"I can't ride a motorcycle," Maya said.
"I'll teach you the basics. It's not hard." Kai was already walking toward her. "Maya, we're running out of time."
Maya looked at the motorbike, then back at Kai. Every rational part of her brain screamed not to trust him. But her heart, her stupid heart that still loved him despite everything, believed that he was trying to save her.
"Okay," she whispered.
Kai's face filled with relief. He quickly showed her how to start the bike, where the brakes were, how to shift gears. "It's not like a car," he explained. "You have to lean into turns. And whatever you do, don't worry and grab the front brake too hard."
"What about you?" Maya asked as she got onto the motorcycle. "How will you get back?"
"I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll tell them I fell and hit my head, lost my memory for a few hours." Kai tried to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry about me."
Maya started the engine, surprised when it roared to life easily. The motorcycle was so much more powerful than her old car.
"Where will you go?" Kai asked.
"I don't know. Somewhere far away where no one knows me."
Kai reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope. "Take this."
Maya opened it and gasped. It was full of cash, more money than she'd ever seen at once.
"Kai, I can't take this."
"Yes, you can. Use it to start over somewhere safe. Get good medical care for the baby." Kai's voice cracked on the last word. "Take care of our child, Maya. Love them enough for both of us."
Maya felt tears starting to fall. "This feels like goodbye forever."
"Maybe it is," Kai said sadly. "But maybe someday, when this is all over, when it's safe..." He trailed off, not finishing the thought.
The barking was getting closer. They were almost out of time.
"I have to go," Maya said.
"Wait." Kai stepped closer. "Can I... can I say goodbye to our baby?"
Maya nodded, too moved to speak. Kai gently put his hand on her stomach, even though there was nothing to feel yet.
"Hello, little one," he whispered. "I'm your daddy, and I love you so much already. I'm sorry I can't be there to watch you grow up, but your mommy is the best person I know. She'll take good care of you."
Maya was crying so hard she could barely see. "Kai..."
"Go," he said, stepping back. "Go now, before they find us."
Maya gunned the engine and took off into the night, leaving Kai standing alone in the bush. She didn't look back, afraid that if she did, she'd turn around and ruin everything.
The motorcycle was harder to handle than Kai had made it look, but fear gave Maya focus. She managed to stay upright as she navigated the dark forest trails that would take her away from pack territory.
After what felt like hours but was probably only thirty minutes, Maya reached the main highway. She pulled over to catch her breath and figure out which way to go.
North would take her toward the city, where she could hide into crowds of people. South led to smaller places where everyone would notice a stranger. East was Cross pack country - definitely not safe. West was mostly wilderness and public parks.
Maya picked north and merged onto the highway, pushing the motorcycle faster than she'd ever driven anything. Every mile between her and the Sterling pack was a small win.
But as the hours passed and the sun started to rise, Maya faced a terrible reality. She was tired, hungry, and nearly out of gas. The motorbike needed fuel, and she needed rest. But every gas stop was a risk - what if someone recognized her? What if the Cross pack had people watching the roads?
Maya saw a sign for a small town called Millfield and chose to risk it. She needed gas and food, and the baby growing inside her needed her to take care of herself.
She pulled into a run-down gas station on the edge of town. There were only two other cars there, and no one seemed to be paying attention to her. Maya filled up the tank and went inside to pay.
The elderly man behind the bar smiled at her kindly. "Long trip, honey?"
"Yes sir," Maya said, trying to sound relaxed. "Just passing through."
"Well, be safe out there. Roads can be dangerous for a young lady going alone."
Maya paid for the gas and bought some crackers and water. As she walked back to the motorbike, she felt like things might actually work out. She had money, transportation, and a plan to find somewhere safe to have her baby.
That's when she saw the black car pulling into the gas station.
Maya's blood turned to ice as she recognized the license plate. It was from Cross pack area.
They had found her.