by Dannika Dark
She looked warily up at him as Trouble pranced around us.
Lakota’s brown hair fell over his shoulders like a mane, and he was handsome sitting astride that horse. His blue eyes sparkled behind the dark paint, giving them a magical quality that made it seem as if he were from another realm. He was Ivy’s son in every way, just as I’d imagine a child of hers to be. Strong. Confident. A warrior.
Melody reluctantly slung her bow over her shoulder and looked back one last time. Lakota reached out, pulling her up with one hand, as if she weighed nothing. Melody swung her leg over the back of the horse and adjusted her hat.
I nodded, giving him my thanks. Shifter children were just too vulnerable, and it was important to get someone to look at her foot, which had blood dripping from the ankle.
She held on to his waist as they rushed across the creek, water splashing beneath the hooves of Trouble. The fog eddied around the bank as they moved out of sight.
“I’ll be back!” he yelled out, holding up one arm.
“Me too!” she shouted defiantly.
Lakota’s laughter faded in the distance.
When I called out to Reno, his wolf appeared, tail wagging.
“You’re not going to shift, are you?” I patted his side. “Dammit, Reno.”
His brown wolf had a black mask, concealing all the dirt and blood. But when my fingers grazed over his snout, they collected streaks of crimson. He was feeling pretty cocky, and it was safe to say that Reno had lost control in shifting back. His wolf undoubtedly sensed danger and wanted to offer me his protection.
I thought about the rifle and scratched the wolf’s neck. “I bet you forced Reno to shift back there, didn’t you? Reno can take care of himself, but you just wanted to get in on the action. You two are just alike.”
God knows Reno had enough ammo to turn this land into Swiss cheese, but there wasn’t much honor in picking off wolves with a gun. And sometimes seeing a Shifter in animal form would call out to your own animal.
I gathered up his clothes and weapons, considering the simplest way to carry it all without breaking my back.
Reno’s wolf barked at the short hill up ahead. Austin crested the top of the hill and slid halfway down on one foot before propelling himself off the slope and running toward me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, out of breath and gripping my shoulders.
“Me?” I looked at his bloody shoulder. “What happened?”
He took a few deep breaths and dropped his arms. “A large number advanced on Axel’s men and… shit. He lost three. We got hit hard up ahead. A bullet pierced an artery in Jericho’s leg, and we had to make him shift.”
“Is he all right?”
Austin shook his head. “I don’t know. He shifted too many times, and now he’s barely conscious. My mom always carries painkillers with her, so we gave him heavy sedatives to help him sleep. He’s in the bunker. What about you?”
“Three wolves attacked us. Mel was hurt.”
His eyes hooded, and he went utterly still. “Are they dead? Because if not, I’m going to hunt them down and kill them myself.”
I nodded. “Lakota has great timing. Mel’s injuries aren’t serious, but she got a nasty bite on her ankle or foot, so I made her go with him. Lakota said that Lorenzo has a firm hold of his territory. He offered to take the kids or anyone injured.”
“I’m going to ask for some of his men to guard the south side,” Austin replied. “It’s an offer he made, and I’m taking him up on it. I’m still waiting for a status update from Axel.”
Reno’s wolf yelped with excitement and circled us.
Austin gave him a friendly pat, but his expression stayed grim. “We need to get moving. They’re coming in larger groups, so we should stay together.”
He turned to leave and then looked back at me.
“Austin Cole, are you really going to march off without taking one of these bags? Because I’m pretty sure your beta packed a thirty-pound missile launcher in his.”
***
After reaching the campsite, Austin made Lexi sleep in the bunker with Jericho so she could keep an eye on him. During the walk, she’d complained about a sharp pain, and that left him wondering if he should send her to Church’s house. But without knowing what things looked like on the outside, he didn’t feel safe letting her out of his sight.
Maizy strolled by with a bundle of dirty laundry in her arms. Her green shirt had soaked up some of the water from her wet hair. “If anyone wants to wash up, the creek is all yours. Denny said he’s not coming out until he prunes.”
Naya gracefully stood up and grabbed her clothes. “I can get him out, darling. My panther is dying for a bath.”
A few of the men chuckled as she sauntered toward the creek located just over the hill. It was an ideal site because the water was deep and wide, giving them a place to bathe. The fog had thinned some but still provided them cover beyond fifty feet.
Wheeler sat on a flat rock, his elbows on his knees, using a spoon to scoop baked beans out of a tin can. His facial hair had grown out completely, covering his face from chin to ear. It made Austin rub his own whiskers, thinking about how no one had packed razors except the women, and there was no way in hell he was using one of those pink gizmos on his face.
“Pop, take a seat,” he said. “You’ve more than earned a rest.”
His father groaned as he sat on the ground. “I’m getting too old to keep up with you boys.”
Maizy spread a towel over the dirt and sat to Austin’s left. She separated her blond hair into sections and began braiding it back. “Has anyone spoken with Prince?”
Reno rubbed his jaw, his face clean and free of paint. “He’s getting hammered twice as hard. Prince owns the most coveted piece of property in the territory, and if I had to guess, I’d say that Judas wants a mansion to feel like a king.”
“Any word from Judas?” Austin asked.
Reno shook his head and glanced at his watch again. “April should be back soon.”
Katharine, April, and Trevor were patrolling the perimeter while the rest of them cleaned up and ate. William was passed out in a pile of leaves, and the twins were eating their rations in one of the tree stands. Izzy had found a nice tree by the bunker and leaned against it, her eyes closed. Maddox and Lynn remained quiet, separating themselves from the group and sitting on a fallen log to Austin’s left. Lynn’s arm was swollen from a bee sting, and she’d never looked so weary. He could see this was taking its toll on her. Maddox had given her his rations of food without her knowing; Austin had seen him refilling her bags when she was washing up.
Austin stood up and casually ambled over to Reno, taking a seat on his left. “I have an alternate plan. I want Lynn to go with Lakota if he comes back, and if he doesn’t, then someone’s going to take her there. I also want the twins to go.”
“Roger that,” Reno said. “I’ll send Caleb the message.”
“Request a few of his men, and let me know his response. If Caleb wants to bitch and moan, remind him that he owes me.”
Reno furrowed his brow. “Owes you for what?”
“Nothing. But the man’s always guilty, and I’m sure he’ll think of something. Remember the time Mel came home with pierced ears?”
Reno chuckled. “I’m only surprised that Jerko wasn’t the one to do it himself.”
Austin tossed a stick. “Blue hair washes away, but earrings leave permanent scars. It was a hell of a fight to keep Jericho from going over there and challenging Caleb.”
“Hmm,” Reno mused. “A few of his men fighting with us in exchange for pierced ears seems fair… said no one ever.” Reno sent the message to Caleb and put his phone away.
Denver plunged into the clearing in only his underwear. He tripped over William and fell in the dirt.
Since he was still wet, dirt caked him from head to toe. He stood up and stared daggers at Wheeler. “Your woman thinks she’s real funny pulling that panther shit and jumping in the water.�
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Wheeler scooped up another spoonful of beans. “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Scared of a wet pussy?”
Maizy laughed so hard she fell over.
“That’s hilarious, Peanut,” Denver grumbled, looking down at his dirt-covered body. “Now what am I supposed to do?”
Wheeler set the tin can by his foot. “Stand against a tree and blend like a chameleon.”
When Denver lunged at Wheeler, Reno got up at lightning speed and held him back. “Cool it, brother. Save your energy for the real thing.”
Meanwhile, William continued snoring in his pile of leaves.
“Too bad we didn’t stall this until next month,” Maddox said conversationally.
Austin swung his gaze toward him. “Why’s that?”
Maddox took off his brown hat and patted the tree on his left with it. “We’d have some fresh pecans.”
Damn, pecans sounded just about right to Austin. But all that nut cracking might have drawn attention. They had opted for high-protein foods they could easily store and carry, but most of the nuts were peanuts or almonds. Katharine volunteered to hunt for a more substantial meal, but that meant either building a fire or letting their wolves eat for them instead. Either way, it didn’t matter. A Shifter’s true home was in the wild.
Wheeler stood up and stretched his back. “See you boys in a bit. I’m going to get my Irish Spring on, so don’t wait up.” He waggled his eyebrows and swaggered off toward the creek.
Maizy moved her towel next to Austin and sat down, her knees drawn up. “How’s Lexi feeling?”
He kept his emotions controlled and put his arm around her. “Your sister is a warrior, but every warrior needs rest—especially the ones carrying a heavy load.”
Austin looked up at Denver, who had snatched a bottle of water and was dousing himself to wash off the dirt.
Maizy whistled at him, and his cheeks flamed when George and Reno joined in with the catcalls.
“You guys are a bag of nuts,” he muttered, yanking on a pair of camo sweatpants.
Maizy opened a bottle of peroxide and dampened a cotton ball, then dabbed at a cut on her elbow. Austin chuckled with amusement since that kind of injury would heal entirely after shifting, but Maizy still clung to her human habits since she was only recently changed. Lynn had packed a first aid kit for her and the kids—supplies the rest of them didn’t have use for. If anything, at least it provided her with a distraction, which was something they all needed to brighten their spirits.
Denver hopped on one leg in an attempt to put on his boot, but when he lost his balance, he swung his arms comically and fell to his side.
Everyone roared with laughter.
“I just can’t get a break,” he muttered. The ground had dampened from the bottle of water, and a fat chunk of wet earth clung to his right arm.
The twins were howling up in the tree, their laughs high-pitched and childlike.
“Don’t make me come up there,” Denver threatened. “Skedaddle, and eat your beans.”
The two russet-haired boys ducked out of sight, still snorting and coughing from the unexpected entertainment.
Denver winced and then pulled something out of his tangled hair. “All right. Who threw that?”
When Reno laughed, Denver flicked the slimy little bean at him. “Next time you come into my bar, you can fix your own drink.”
Reno nodded. “No sweat. Then give me back my gun.”
Everyone sat at attention when a stick cracked just beyond the fog line. A black horse emerged, his breath heavy, and a satiny sheen on his coat indicating he’d been running a long time. He wasn’t slim like a racehorse, but muscular and impressive in stature like a Clydesdale.
“Reno, put down the gun,” Austin said, rising to his feet.
Reno lowered his rifle only marginally.
The horse had no rider, no saddle, and no bridle.
The impressive animal approached the center of the group and dipped his head twice, throwing back a thick mane of ebony hair. Within seconds, the black stallion shifted into a robust man with dark hair. Maizy averted her eyes, a grin lurking on her face.
“I’m Titan.”
Austin stepped forward. “I’m Austin Cole, Packmaster of the Weston pack. What’s your business?”
“Enzo sent me to offer a hand.”
“To fight with us?”
Titan shook his head. “I’m here to collect the weak and infirm.”
“No one’s infirm here,” Reno said, his voice tight.
Titan bowed. “Forgive my rudeness. I was merely repeating what he said.”
Austin shifted his stance. “Yeah, that sounds like Church.” Austin hadn’t met many horse Shifters, and Titan was every bit as built as his animal. It made him wonder why he wouldn’t offer to fight, given his physical brawn.
Titan lifted his chin. “Do you have children or injured packmates?” His eyes settled on Izzy, who was still snoozing against the oak tree.
“That one’s not injured,” Austin said.
“Shame. I would very much like a woman like that astride my back.”
“I just bet you would,” Denver snapped.
Austin flicked a glance at Lynn. The boys needed to go, but not everyone would be able to fit on the horse. “Hendrix!”
Hendrix scurried down the tree and jumped to the ground.
“I want you to go with Titan.”
“But Lennon—”
“Lynn’s going, and I need someone brave to protect her.” And that wasn’t a line of bullshit.
Lennon peered over the wall of the hideout. “What about me?”
“I need you to keep watch. Both are important jobs.”
“I’m fine,” Lynn said. “There’s no need to fuss over me.”
Maddox helped her up. “Well, I’m fussing. We’ve got everything under control, and you’ll be of better use taking care of Church’s pack than running around in the woods.”
“True,” Titan agreed. “Church’s packmates have suffered casualties, and there doesn’t seem to be enough free hands to care for them. Some of them have extensive injuries and are unable to shift. The Packmaster cannot be in all places at once.”
Lynn lifted her pack. “Well then, it sounds like they need me.”
Austin closed the distance between them, and she gripped his hand.
Her eyes glittered with tears. “You take care of my baby girl. I’ll make sure Lorenzo sends you some help, and that’s something you can count on.”
Yeah, maybe Lynn would be more use there after all.
Austin patted Titan’s shoulder. “I appreciate your service. We’re fortunate you owed Church a favor.”
Titan smirked. “I’m not doing this because I owe him. Don’t you know?”
“Know what?” Denver asked, closing in.
Titan turned to address the men. “When the other Shifters in the community got wind of what the wolves were battling against, we had a choice. We could either be apathetic and watch our community fall apart, or we could choose to fight. If we allow the Northerners to rule the pack territories, what’s to stop them from coming after mine? And I don’t have as much to lose as you do. Maybe we all have our differences, but everyone knows what the wolves have done to create social order. That’s why many of us have chosen to live in your cities. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Austin was honored to know there were men with integrity who would do what was right and not what was easiest. “Is there any news from the rest of the state?”
Titan pinched his chin pensively. “Dallas regained control, but it seems the units are concentrated around Austin. I suppose the land and weather are more desirable, but I also have my suspicions their leader is still in the area. That’s the rumor.”
Austin bristled. “Why don’t you spread the rumor that Austin Cole wants the honor of driving a knife into his black heart?”
Titan arched a black brow. “That’s a bold statement.”
“I’m a
bold alpha. Spread the word.” Austin bowed his head. “Please make sure my packmates arrive safely.”
Titan nodded. “You have my word.” He transformed back into an impressive stallion and knelt down as if he were genuflecting.
Maddox helped Lynn mount, giving her a handful of mane to hold on to. He locked his fingers together and made a step for Hendrix to put his foot in and get a boost onto the horse’s broad back.
Most of the pack avoided waking up Izzy since she sometimes lashed out violently, but during Austin’s conversation with Titan, Maizy had gently coaxed her awake so that she could say good-bye to her son. Izzy had a look of relief on her face as she rushed to Hendrix’s side.
She took his hand, giving him motherly kisses that would make any boy his age blush with embarrassment.
“I love you,” she said. “Don’t worry about us; just keep yourself safe. Stay alert during the ride, and watch over Lynn. This’ll all be over soon.”
“I know, Mom. We’ll be fine.” Hendrix looked toward Austin with shame in his eyes—shame that he wasn’t old enough to fight or to lead like the others in the pack. “Tell my dad…”
He patted Hendrix on the leg and nodded. “Don’t worry, son. He knows you’ve fought bravely, and I’ll be sure to let him know you’ve put your life on the line to escort Lynn home. Everyone here plays an important role; don’t you forget that. Now hold on tight. I have a feeling he’s going to keep a quick pace.”
Reno gave the horse a pat on the rear, and they disappeared into a blanket of mist. Austin had a strong pack—having just one of Reno was the equivalent of four Shifters. Lynn and the boys had proven their abilities, but things were only going to get more dangerous toward the end, so it was one less worry for him to shoulder.
But not his biggest worry.
Chapter 28
Jericho and I had spent hours in the bunker together. My life was reduced to eating cold beans out of a can and daydreaming about clean underwear and barbecue ribs. I managed a few winks of sleep before Izzy woke me up and encouraged me to bathe in the creek while she looked after Jericho’s wolf. When I returned, she was ready to go back to her post, so I spent the remainder of the time monitoring his wolf, keeping him calm and rested so when Jericho shifted back he’d have all the strength needed to continue with his duties.