Nate turned, focusing his gaze on her for a long moment before turning back to the road. “I’ve been saying the same thing. Seems silly to sit around and wait for them to find us. More of our people are bound to get hurt if the fighting is on our turf.”
“Let me guess, your leaders don’t approve?” Tess questioned with a sigh. At one point the council was probably a good idea, but right now, it sounded like it was more of a hindrance than help.
“No. There are too many older people on the council. They are stuck in the old ways. We need to move forward and do what works best for everyone now,” Nate replied. “The larger we grow, the more of a target we become.”
“My pride was large,” Tess started quietly. She swallowed as she tried not to think about the bodies of her friends and family she’d seen littering the ground. “They tore us apart in a few hours. We held them off at the outer buildings for a while, but the fire from those buildings began to spread, and eventually made its way to the main compound. We couldn’t fight them and the fire at the same time. It was too much. By the time my father gave the order to evacuate, it was too late for a lot of us. Hunters had already infiltrated our compound. People began to run. A few of us were able to get out in small groups.”
“Your sister and her mate?” Nate asked.
Tess nodded. “There were a few others too, three children, and my brother’s wife. Hunters caught up to us fast. Thea’s mate Dustin offered to fend them off, but Thea refused—she’s due to deliver anytime. So I went. That’s the last time I saw them,” she whispered. “I led our pursuers away so everyone else could escape, by the time I’d fought them off, I’d been shot and there were others close by. The only choice I had was to run. I don’t even know if the plan worked or not.” She gritted her teeth. Thea was okay. She had to be. The rest of her family was questionable. Her heart ached at the thought. Keep it together. You don’t know anything for certain.
“Given her condition, do you think they would have even made it this far?” Nate asked.
Tess paused considering his comment. She’d been in her feline form, which made her faster—a lot faster. Even injured, she’d run at top speed at a little over fifty miles an hour. Thea couldn’t transition due to her pregnancy—shifting was impossible during pregnancy. It was harmful to the fetus. Audrey, her brother’s wife was human. The three children they’d taken with them weren’t shifting age either. Dustin was the only one capable of transitioning. “Maybe if they obtained a car, but not by foot.”
“This might not be them,” Nate reminded. “There are a lot of us being displaced.”
“I know,” she sighed. But I can still hope.
***
Nate eased his car off to the side of the road, parking behind the black Suburban. “This is one of our vehicles,” he told Tess.
“Where are they?” Tess asked. She squinted, leaning forward to look out the window.
Nate dug out his cell phone and flipped through his contacts. He mashed his finger down on Callum’s name and put the phone to his ear. Where were they? It was quiet. Too quiet. The hairs on his arms prickled as the phone rang in his ear. He grunted when the phone went to voicemail. Before he could redial, his phone vibrated with a new text.
Watch yourself. We’ve gone to ground and are radio silent. Enemies are in the woods. Unknown number. Trying to make contact with the shifter and our people. No luck yet. – Callum
He closed his eyes before quickly typing out a reply.
We’re here too. Heading into the trees. Watch your backs. – Nate
He turned to Tess, but she was already out of the car. She’s good. I didn’t even hear her. He opened his door and slowly climbed out of his seat.
Tess stood in front of the car; her chartreuse eyes glowed as they scanned the perimeter.
“Something’s wrong,” she breathed, mirroring his earlier thoughts.
He nodded in agreement. “Hunters are here. Callum’s gone radio silent.”
Tess slipped out of her jacket, gently laying the garment on the hood of the car. Next she slid off her shoes. His eyes followed her hands as they tugged on the hem of her tee. Her toned torso came into view. He licked his lips, imagining how it would feel to kiss his way up her chest. “Do you mind?” she asked, interrupting his fantasy.
He blinked momentarily confused. Wait. She’s going to shift. Get your mind out of the gutter and pay attention. What is wrong with you? You don’t know what’s going on and you’re daydreaming like an idiot. You’re going to get yourself killed. Focus. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he warned. “We don’t know what’s in these woods.”
Tess huffed. “Your friends are in these woods,” she pointed out. “I can move more fluidly and quieter in my feline form. It’s also easier to take them out.”
Nate turned around. She was right. They would fare better in a fight in their animal forms. As an animal they were faster, more agile, and most importantly stronger. I better get ready myself. He fought the urge to peek as he heard the shuffling of her stepping out of her jeans. I bet she’s stunning. God. Get a grip. Shaking his head, he quickly undressed. He heard the telltale cracking of breaking bones, then silence. Tess had finished her shift. Hurriedly, he walked to the back of the car and grabbed a bag from the trunk. He’d learned through trial and error that having clothes readily available was always a good idea. He stuffed his clothes into the bag and moved to the front of the car and shoved Tess’ in as well. Dropping the bag on the ground, he positioned the strap so he could easily step into the messenger bag. With a leap forward, he triggered his change and landed on four paws. He took a moment to stretch before stepping into the bag and turning back to Tess.
Her sleek black fur shone in the moonlight as she flexed her claws. He yipped quietly, and she met his eyes. Her gaze roamed over his, taking in his white and grey coat. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Did she like what she saw?
No. It would be better if the attraction was only one sided. There would be less chance of them acting on it. Interspecies dating was prohibited. Another stupid rule set forth by the council members.
A loud guttural shriek broke his train of thought. He snapped his head in the direction of the sound. Tess hissed then darted up the hill, and through the brush. Without a second thought, he lunged after her.
Tess was a touch faster than him. Her lithe legs moved effortlessly through the trees. She was quiet too. While he could hear every twig and leaf he stepped on, he couldn’t hear a peep from her. How does she do it?
He pushed himself faster, harder, eager to get to the ensuing fight. Hisses and hollers filled the air. A gunshot rang out through the air, and both he and Tess paused.
His ears perked listening intently to the sounds of the forest. Small animals rushed away from the violence. The leaves rustled in the wind. Finally, he heard what he was listening for. To his left, a feral hiss echoed off the forest floor. He charged forward, Tess right beside him toward the scuffle.
They ran side by side in perfect sync, you’d think they did this all the time. She was perfection—she’d be a good partner.
Another gunshot boomed a few hundred feet in the distance. Together, they raced ahead. The world whipped past them as they ducked beneath low hanging branches and leapt over logs.
His eyes narrowed as a light green jacket came into view. Focusing on the woods, he searched for more people and quickly recognized another man dressed in green. This time of year, there wasn’t much green left in the forest, at least not in that hue, and the color was a sharp contrast to the earthy browns of the trees. He pushed his burning muscles faster. They had to save whoever was under attack. Enough of their kind had already paid the ultimate price.
The closest Hunter began to turn, no doubt having heard their rapid approach, but they were already too close. Nate lunged; claws outstretched, and drug the man to the ground. Tess darted past him, going after the other enemy a few feet away. She let out a ferocious hiss before tackli
ng the second man into the dirt.
Satisfied that she could handle herself, he went in for the kill. Nate dipped his head and closed his mouth around his enemy’s throat. The man bucked beneath him, but he squeezed harder. Bitter blood flooded his mouth. Nate shook his head violently, wanting to end this now. Hunters could be hiding in the trees, and he needed to be on alert for an attack.
The thrashing beneath him subsided, and he pulled back, looking down into lifeless black orbs. He chuffed and narrowed his eyes. The woods were silent for the moment. Wildlife no doubt had been scared away by the gunshots, but their adversaries could still be lurking.
Tess slinked by him, crouched down, her eyes alert and ears pinned back. Did she hear something he didn’t? Or was she being extra cautious?
He chanced a quick glance at the fallen shifter. Snake. It was trapped in its animal form. The injured animal lie still, but he could see the slight rise and fall of their abdomen area. They were still alive.
A twig snapped to his left, and he ducked down, trying to hide himself in the brush. He shifted his gaze. Where was Tess?
Chapter Seven
Tess crept through the thick brush. Slow and steady. Whoever is out there, you don’t want them to know where you are. Nate was somewhere behind her. He wasn’t exactly stealthy either. Nate had what her brothers referred to as thunder feet.
Her heart clenched at the thought of her family. While she was glad the shifter was alive, she’d hoped to find someone from her pride. They’re out there. Right now, you need to focus on what’s right in front of you.
Leaves crunched to her left, and she dropped to the ground. Her belly grazed against the dirt as she carefully moved toward the sound. Tess narrowed her eyes, letting them flit from side-to-side. No one was going to sneak up on her.
She perked her ears up. The footsteps crackled over the earth in sets of two. Humans. Judging by the steps, there were three of them. It could be Callum and his team. Or, it could be more hunters. Stay vigilant.
The trio was moving deliberately slow as if they were searching for something, or someone, and trying to keep quiet. I’ll let them get ahead and then tail them back to Nate and the other shifter. At least I’ll have the upper hand.
Tess froze in her spot, staying low to the ground. They were close. She drew in a deep breath and inhaled. The smell of wolf and bear assaulted her senses. They were friends—well, at least Nate’s friends. For all she knew, they would turn on her the first chance they got. It might be better if they found Nate first. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to check out the perimeter. Hunters traveled in groups. They’d only taken out two. There were more out there.
She waited for the three men to pass her before slipping away. She snuck through the underbrush, her senses alert for anything out of the ordinary. Voices whispered in the distance.
“I can’t reach them. The shifters might’ve gotten them,” a male said.
“There are footprints leading this way,” another said.
Tess cocked her head to the side and sniffed. Her bottom lip curled, but she kept quiet. Don’t give away your position. At least six different scents overwhelmed her. Six men were too many to take on solo.
Carefully, she crept back. She was far enough away they wouldn’t be able to hear her yet, but they could see her if she wasn’t careful. Staying low to the ground, she sprinted back to Nate and the others.
She flew through the bushes in record time. If they had enough time, they could stage an attack or sneak away undetected. She was up for either, but she couldn’t be sure what the other shifters protocol was.
She ducked under a fallen limb and then sprung forward, landing on all fours in front of Nate and his friends. They turned toward her startled. Good. I can sneak up on them. She smiled inwardly at the thought. They didn’t seem amused by her entrance. Four sets of partially shifted eyes met hers. Ray stepped forward his pawed claws poised and ready to attack.
“It’s just Tess, calm down,” Nate said, placing a hand on the semi shifted wolf.
He must have shifted back while I was gone.
“A little warning would have been nice,” Ray snarled.
She hissed, exposing her sharp canines. Warning you wouldn’t be any fun. But you do have to caution them about what you saw. She flexed her paws and used one of her razor sharp nails to quickly write in the dirt.
Hunters ½ mile from here. At least six.
“We should get out of here,” Callum said. He crouched down next to the snake, staring at the still unmoving body.
“You want to change?” Nate asked, pointing to a bag.
She was a better fighter in her feline form, but if she wanted a say in anything, she would need to be able to speak. Tess bobbed her head up and down once. She trotted to the bag and picked it up with her mouth.
Glancing around, she dashed down a small hill. Tess took one last glimpse around, ensuring she was truly alone before she envisioned her human form. Her bones snapped and realigned. Once transformed, she quickly dressed, then headed up the hill and rejoined the others.
Callum had carefully lifted the snake into his arms. Her breath caught as realization struck her. The snake was much too small to be an adult. A child. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.
“Is it, he—she all right?” she whispered. How did you tell what gender a snake was? She’d never come across a snake shifter until she came to Sanctuary.
“He’s alive. But we need to get him back to Sanctuary. He’s been shot. Poison always effects the young and elderly harder than anyone else,” Callum explained in a hushed voice.
Crap, it is a child. Apparently there is a way to tell the gender. Interesting. You clearly have some things to learn about other species.
“Let’s go before our friends catch up to us,” Nate said, motioning everyone on.
They moved through the woods, doing their best to avoid the dead, dry leaves littering the ground. Trekking undetected through the woods in late fall was a daunting task, one that these shifters were failing miserably at. Thankfully, the small wildlife that called the trees home had started to move about again, giving them some cover.
As the street came into view, they quickened their pace into a steady jog. All of them clearly eager to reach the safety of the vehicles and make a hasty escape back to Sanctuary.
But going back to Sanctuary would take her further away from Ohio. She was so close. Too close to turn back now. How could she get away from them?
“If we leave now, we should be back in Sanctuary within an hour or so,” Jax started. “I’ll call ahead and let them know we have an injured snake.”
“We’ll follow behind you,” Nate said, unlocking his car.
Tess crossed her arms over her chest. Time to make a stand. She was going to Ohio one way or another. “What? Why? Ohio’s not that far from here.”
“To make sure we get home okay. Duh,” Ray snarked.
Tess scoffed and rolled her eyes. “We’re closer to my pride in Cincinnati than we will be at Sanctuary. I’m going there with or without you,” she insisted. Sure she wanted the child to get help, but whether she was there or not wouldn’t make a difference. Her family was out there, and she was pretty certain that the four other shifters could handle the trip. Her heart squeezed at the idea of walking away from Nate. Maybe she would find him again sometime. No. A clean break would be best. Besides, she wasn’t welcome at Sanctuary. Whatever this weird attraction was, it was dangerous, and the sooner they split up the better for them both.
Jax took a step forward, his nostrils flaring. “There are six men out there. You said so yourself. You’re going to risk getting caught—putting Sanctuary in danger—“
“We don’t have time for a debate,” Callum interrupted, turning to Nate.
Tess watched curiously as the others turned their attention to Nate as well. He must be in charge. Why didn’t I pick up on that sooner? Makes sense his parents are council members.
She cocked her head to the s
ide as her ears twitched. Voices spoke behind them. She whirled around, scanning the trees. She didn’t see anything, but danger was lurking in the woods. They were either being watched from afar, or they hadn’t been discovered quite yet. Hopefully it was the latter. “They’re coming,” she cautioned.
Nate’s eyes flicked to the trees before he took a step back toward his car. “It’s fine. You three, take the main roads home and watch your speed. You don’t want to get pulled over, but get home as quickly and safely as possible. I’ll go ahead with Tess,” Nate volunteered. “We’ll take the back roads and make some noise. With any luck, we will be the ones pursued and you’ll be left alone. The last thing we want is for our enemies to follow us back to Sanctuary.”
“The council—” Ray began to argue.
“I’ll deal with them when I get home,” Nate cut him off. “Let’s go. Hunters can’t be too far behind us.” He placed his hand on Tess’ forearm and led her to his car. He opened the passenger door and motioned to the seat. “Get in.”
Tess thought about snapping at him about giving her orders, but thought better of it. He was doing what she wanted after all. Best not to try his patience.
She slipped into the vehicle and buckled up as Nate hopped in the other side.
Nate jammed the key in the ignition and revved the engine loudly. Tess raised her brow in question as she watched him. Apparently he’d been serious about drawing their enemies’ attention. She gripped the door handle tightly. They were about to become the bait, and no doubt would be followed and chased.
The tires screeched as Nate punched the accelerator. Tess took in a sharp breath as they sped down the road. Here we go. I hope he knows what he’s doing because I really don’t want to get shot again.
She watched the tree line, searching for movement. Their enemy had no doubt heard the cars loud engine. Now they just needed to find out where the Hunters were hiding so they could take evasive maneuvers. A blur of green jackets raced down an embankment. Got you. “Nate,” she hissed, pointing with her free hand to an opening in the trees. The group of hunters came to a stop when they reached the blacktop and drew their weapons, aiming them at the car.
Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) Page 6