Tish POV

Cold rain pelts against my skin, and I shiver alongside the road. I keep one arm wrapped around me, trying to keep warm, while I use my thumb to try and hitch a ride from passing vehicles. No one stops. Cars fly past me at a ridiculous speed, splashing me with the water standing on the edge of the road. If I don't get a ride soon, I am likely to die of hypothermia.

I keep walking South. My teeth are chattering, and my feet are numb, but I have to get as far away from the North Pack as I can. I don't know if Kieran is looking for me. I assume that he is. I betrayed him and Mae. I try not to let my feelings of guilt get in the way of my mission to escape, but my heart is breaking.

Headlights come up from behind me, and I stick my arm out into the road, trying to flag them down. The car skids to a stop behind me, and I jump out of the way. Landing in the muddy grass beside the highway, I look back at the car that stopped. My hands sink into the mud as I try to get back to my feet.

A man gets out of the car with an umbrella. He rests his hand on his hip and looks down at me. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Maybe," I yell back at him.

"Where are you headed?" He asks.

"South," I respond simply.

"The South is a pretty big region," he laughs. "Can you narrow it down?"

"It doesn't matter where I end up," I respond, getting back to my feet. "As long as it is far away from here."

"You can't run from your problems," he says as I approach him.

"I don't need a father," I snap at him. "I just need a ride."

The man looks me up and down. I can see the pity in his eyes. I don't need his pity, so I start walking down the road.

"Wait!" He calls out after me. "Get in the car."

I glance over my shoulder and see him holding the car door open for me. This could end really poorly for me. Taking rides from strangers is always a gamble.

"What's the catch?" I ask him.

"No catch," he responds. "I have been away on business, and I am heading home to see my wife. I can take you as far as Texas. If you want to cross over into Mexico, you will have to find another ride."

"Texas is fine," I say as I get in the car.

Once I am inside the car, I realize my mistake. This car is fancy and clean. I have tracked mud and water all over the passenger side of the car. My legs are sticking to the leather as I shift awkwardly on the seat.

The man gets in the driver's seat and looks over at the mess I have made. I can see the frustration building behind his eyes, but he doesn't say anything. He turns up the heat and pulls back onto the highway.

For an hour or so, we ride in silence. He flips through the radio stations until he finds something he likes and hums along with the songs. I don't take my eyes off him. I am still wary of why someone of his wealth would stop for me.

He appears to be in his forties, maybe older. It is hard to tell in the dim light of the car. His dark hair is peppered with gray and there is stubble along his chin. His eyes are dark as he keeps his eyes on the road. He is pretty good-looking for his age, but he mentioned a wife and I am done being in the middle of couple drama.

"I am sorry for dragging mud into your car," I whisper.

I don't expect him to hear me over the radio, but he glances in my direction. "It can be cleaned."

I press my lips together in a hard line and look away from him. I can see the questions building behind his eyes.

"How old are you?" He finally asks.

"Twenty-three," I answer shortly.

"What are you running from?" He asks.

"Nope," I groan. "That is too personal. Plus. I doubt that you would understand."

"We have a long trip ahead of us," the man chuckles. "Try me."

I narrow my eyes at him. Two can play this game. "How will your wife feel about you picking up a strange woman alongside the road?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "She is used to me bringing home strays."

"Strays?" I ask curiously.