Ethan drove carefully into the town, most people left him well alone but he couldn't be too careful.
His windows were tinted so Leon was snugly tied up in his backseat, he had pretended to sleep for the ride here and Ethan had been too preoccupied to do anything meaningful about it.
But now that they had gotten to their destination, he couldn't wait to get his hands on him.
He patted himself on the back for managing the feat of successfully getting away with Leon, he could only imagine the current chaos going down back in the Pack House.
He hadn't expected it to be that easy to convince Brie, honestly, she had basically been the one to suggest that he steal from the Pack.
He had simply hinted that he wanted to run away and she had come up with the rest, she had been quite valuable too.
No one batted an eyelid as he drove into the town, much like the first time he had been here, a couple years ago, when he had come back to Cone from college on a break.
He had always planned to leave, whether or not Leon came back to him, this was simply the best case scenario.
Leon evened out his breath, trying not to move too much, not that it mattered. His uncomfortable position was enough to chafe his wrists.
Even though he hadn't opened his eyes or said a word since he woke up, Ethan could scarily and accurately tell when exactly he had woken up.
He didn't rise to the bait though, making plans to escape.
Escape?
Wasn't this inevitable?
The way his past would always come to haunt him was proof that he was never getting away.
Even as his mind warred with itself, his body remained prone, his primal instincts shining through.
A part of his mind might have accepted this as something that he deserved but the other wanted to get to watch Jaxon and Darian again.
Wanted to see his twin again and mess with his younger brother, wanted to lead training again and eat the Lunas' baking...
There were so many reasons not to give up, even the thought of them leaving him after they found out everything wasn't enough to deter the little voice in his head anymore.
He was getting out of here first, anything else could come after.
Ethan drove past the town, stopping at the outskirts where his cottage waited, in the cover of the woods, there was enough cash in the trunk of the car to keep them and even if he wanted to move somewhere else later on, he still could.
He would just spread false information that he was a writer, that should keep suspicions at bay.
He parked the car and quickly stepped down, there was no telling when some nosy town occupant under the guise of coming to check on the new person would wander over.
It would be too bad if he had to kill a person on his first day here, he really liked this cottage. He made his way around the car to go inside the house.
He had already made arrangements to have the cottage cleaned a week before but he needed to check before taking Leon in.
Leon listened to him leave, his eyes flipping open, this could be his chance to escape!
Just before Ethan went in though, he stopped and turned around, making his way back to the car.
The passenger side was opened and Leon listened intently as he rifled around with something, slipping his eyes shut again.
Anxiety wracked through him as he waited impatiently for Ethan to leave again, he would break through the glass with his legs and flop out.
He would shift if he had to but he was getting the fuck out of here.
The door closest to his head opened next and Leon's eyes flew open, his panic evident in his piercing blue eyes.
He hadn't expected this turn of events, Ethan's hand found its way to his hair, petting it gently, a manic look in his eyes even as he smiled softly.
"You need to give yourself more credit, Leo, I'd never underestimate you like that." He said in a patronising voice.
Leon didn't grace him with a reply, watching him closely to see what he could possibly be up to.
"Stay still now, can't have you getting hurt." He continued to say in that syrupy voice.
Leon's heart dropped to his stomach when he felt a needle go into his arm, cool liquid getting pushed in.
Ethan pulled out the syringe and held it close to his side, kissing Leon upside down as he watched his pupils slowly dilate.
"I'll be right back." He grinned, gently shutting the door.
He had been careful with the dosage of ketamine he had shot Leon with, he would really hate it if it knocked him out.
But it was a necessary evil, he would be needing a lot of drugging to convince Leon though so he hoped that he had guessed right.
A quick tour of the cottage proved it very satisfactory, next would be to bring in his prized possession.
He gently opened the door, not wanting to startle him and his concerned look changed to one of excitement.
Leon stared back at him with largely dilated pupils, he was properly out of it and didn't look the least bit like he was about to black out.
"Leon?" He called in a soft voice, reaching a hand to touch his hair again.
Leon's reply was a soft hum like a wild cat, he tilted his head into Ethan's palm and he felt his heart puff up like it might like to explode.
"Perfect." Ethan mumbled to himself, quick to undo the ropes tying him down. "You're fucking perfect."
Leon remained docile, letting him do as he wished with him while watching him and humming occasionally.
He sighed when Ethan picked him up, his eyes going unfocused as he was assaulted with new sights and sensations.
Ethan made his way inside the house after looking around for cautionary purposes, he headed straight for the bedroom.
There were two but one was considerably larger than the other which was the guest room.
He beelined for the bed, gently placing Leon on the sheets. He dropped onto the bed bonelessly.
One quick trip back to the car and Ethan came in with a couple of luggage, which from one, he brought out fur-lined cuffs.