“No more talk! No more stalling!” He walked toward her until he was inches away.
It took all her strength to stand her ground.
She reached for the knife, gripping its handle. “I’ll play your game.”
“There’s my obedient wild one. It’s your choice. Trevor, or your pack?”
“You expect me to choose?”
“I expect you to live forever with the judgment of your decision. Your pack already judges you for betraying them. Haley judges you for not protecting her when they brutally captured you both. I judge you for leaving me, after all I had done for you.”
Skylar pulled out her cell phone, and, knowing it had lost signal, she pretended to dial the police. “Man, you are wrong in the head. You’re going to prison,” she hoped her ploy would work but knew the texts The Father had sent her from Haley’s phone couldn’t have been from here.
He backed to Trevor’s side, running a claw along the wick. The candle’s flame neared the wick as the wax melted.
“Hello, police—”
“Time is running out. You’d better stop playing games. Save your boy and leave your pack to me. Or, join your pack, be mine again, and never know the fate of Trevor, your loved one.”
The Father had planned it all out. The phone dropped to the floor as it slipped from Skylar’s fingers.
With a grunt, Trevor nudged his head forward, motioning for her to leave.
The knife was the only way to save Trevor, but she needed a lie. If she could find her friends, the three of them could return and save Trevor before the wick caught fire. The Father would have no idea they were coming for him.
It was her only choice.
“I’m sorry, Trevor. I can’t disappoint my girls again.” Skylar looked to her abductor. “Where are they?”
“Use your senses, my wild one. It will lead you to them. When I see you are secured, I will decide my son’s fate.”
Backing from the cabin, she asked one final question of The Father. “Who are you?”
“Soon, Skylar. Soon, you will know my face.”
Skylar raced into the meadow. The clouds had parted and the moonlight illuminated the way, though she didn’t know where to go or how to sniff them out.
Plunging into the forest, her bootless foot began to ache. The years of rehabilitation had softened her soles, making every step painful. Soon, she was reduced to staggering like wounded prey.
Resting, she sniffed the air for her friends, imagining their scents. But there were no familiar smells aside from the usual forest perfume. She listened for The Father. If he was tracking her, he was masterfully silent.
On the move again, she decided to check for Morgan and Haley at the betrayal log. But she didn’t know how to get there, only knowing it was far from the cabin. As she maneuvered deeper into the forest, she worried about Trevor’s fate. Hell, everyone’s fate. The Father was right—no matter what path she chose, she would be judged.
Lost and hopeless, she leaned against a tree and sank to her knees, her feral senses so repressed they were useless now that she needed them.
Then, an idea came to her, something so simple yet foreign that she couldn’t’ believe she never thought of it before. Crouching, she let out a long howl, setting her primal side free, releasing the hatred for it and accepting it completely.
Skylar gave in to her inner beast.
As if she were under the control of another, she wasn’t sure of her own actions. She let out another, even higher-pitched howl. This time, a faint howl returned hers. Hope renewed, With new hope, she headed deeper into the forest as she called, switching directions to pinpoint her pack’s location.
Their calls grew stronger, louder. Her foot ached, but she barely noticed now. As she edged closer to them, she was able to differentiate their howls. Morgan called— she was directly ahead. Climbing a short rise, Skylar emerged into a small clearing.
Haley and Morgan were in the center, standing a short distance apart. They were barefoot and only wore tattered burlap sacks. Metal collars had been closed around their necks, secured to rods by chains. Morgan ran around, the restraints keeping her in a tight circle. Haley stretched an arm toward Morgan, who was just out of reach.
A third chain that Skylar knew was meant for her lay in the dirt.
“I’m here!” Skylar brought out the knife.
“You lied. He told us!” Haley said.
“I’m going to set you free. Hold still.”
“Where weres you, betrayer?” Morgan growled.
Skylar located the keyhole for the collar, stuck the tip of the knife inside and tried picking the lock.
“He never took me.”
“What?” said Haley.
“It left you?”
“I was in the wrong closet. The wrong bedroom. The wrong house.” She dug the knife, twisted, and heard a click.
She opened the collar and it fell to the ground. She went to Morgan and started on hers.
“I guess that would make sense, right?” Haley said, rubbing her neck. “It lied to us, Morgan.”
“It makes no sense,” Morgan said, fidgeting as Skylar worked on the lock. “I’m going to kill it.”
“Hold still, Morgan!”
“How did you know we were here, Skye?”
“I met the creep at the cabin. He has Trevor and he’s going to kill him. We have to hurry,” the collar unlocked, and Morgan was freed.
“He gave you the choice,” Morgan said, placing a hand on Skylar’s cheek. “And this time, you chooseded us.”
Haley grabbed Skylar in a hug.
“Yes, I chose you both, but I chose Trevor as well.”
“And now he will pay the price for your sin,” said a menacing male voice.
They turned to The Father, menace in his eyes.
“It!” Morgan’s gravelly voice made Skylar cringe.
Skylar grabbed Morgan’s burlap sack to keep her from attacking. The three of them moved closer together, forming a shield around Haley.
“You always were my bright one, Skylar Colt. You left the cabin so easily without putting up a fight for your boy. I knew you were up to something.” He cocked his head toward Haley and she whimpered. “There you are my little timid one. You remember me, don’t you? The fun games we played together while I formed you.”
“Shut up!” Haley screamed.
“Leave her alones. You go through me, scentless one.” Morgan clenched her fists.
“I would have taught you all to control your odor. But there will be plenty of time for that, now.”
“How did you choose us?” Skylar asked, stalling for time.
“In time, you will have your answers. Right now, you need to obey me.”
Skylar nudged Morgan, pointing in the direction of the cabin, and Morgan nudged her back. Skylar reached an arm behind and Haley took her hand.
“Ooo, you ares, The Father,” Morgan growled I’m nots scared of you!”
“Now,” Skylar whispered.
“Morgan Brood,” The Father commanded.
“Now,” Skylar repeated more urgent.
Morgan didn’t move but kept her eyes on The Father.
“Yes,” Morgan answered.
“You’re slurring your words already. I thought I taught you better.”
“I’m sorry, Father.” Morgan lowered her head.
“Morgan, what the hell are you doing?” Skylar was in disbelief.
“Morgan, come,” he told her.
Morgan crouched to all fours and galloped toward The Father, stopping at his side. He patted her head.
“Did I dos good, father?” Morgan asked.
Haley’s fingernails dug into Skylar’s back.
“Of course,” The Father said. “Now, heel.”
Morgan crouched at his feet, and Skylar had to stop Haley from running to Morgan.
“Morgan, I love you!” Haley cried.
Morgan merely growled in response, sending Haley into Skylar’s arms.
“Whatever hold you have over her, I’ll break it. Just like I’m going to break you.” Skylar grabbed Haley and backed away.
“You won’t escape. In fact, you won’t make it to the trees, and you know it.”
Skylar knew it was the truth.
“What now?” She questioned.
“Tag. We’ll give you a head start. The rules are simple. Whoever we tag will become our project. Morgan and I will be your rehabilitation.”
“You’re psychotic! You won’t get away with this!”
“RUN!” His voice boomed through the air.
Morgan growled viciously and tried to lunge toward Skylar and Haley as they ran toward the tree line. Diving into the forest, they raced blindly.
The Father’s howl filled the air, followed by Morgan’s.
They were coming for them.
“Come on, Haley!”
Haley’s bare feet slowed her pace. “I - I’m trying.”
They headed toward the distant sound of water as the howls grew closer. Nearing the water, the thunder of a waterfall made Skylar realize they were trapped.
Spotting a large boulder, Skylar spotted a deep crevice beneath it.
“Haley, crawl inside. Feet first.”
Haley lay on her stomach. “What if it falls on me?”
“It won’t.” Sylar helped Haley slide inside.
“Don’t forget me.”
Skylar backed up and checked—Haley was virtually invisible.
“I’ll come back for you, I promise.”
The sun began to rise, washing the forest with an eerie glow.
“This time, I know you will,” Haley said.
“Stay quiet.”
The dual howls were close now—too close. Skylar ran for the waterfall. Looking over the edge, it looked to be a forty or fifty-foot drop into a swirling pool.
Skylar would make the jump, with Haley, or alone if it came to it. The Father stepped from the trees, stopping a short distance from her with his hands behind him. She clutched the knife in her own hand.
What she first thought was morning dew rising from the forest turned out to be something much more terrifying.
“Breathe, Skylar. Breathe.” He inhaled deeply.
Smoke from the burning cabin shattered her resolve.
Trevor. Skylar was too late.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Haley howled, but Skylar couldn’t save her. She couldn’t save anyone. Morgan had never been on their side, after all. She’d deceived them both, as sick as the man standing before her.
He held a dead chipmunk, a fresh kill.
“Catch it, or I’ll inform Morgan to begin class early for Haley.” He tossed the creature and Skylar caught it.
“How ironic, my wild one. You can either smell your boy’s death or your favorite meal. Become what I made you!”
The chipmunk was still warm. Her eyes fluttered and her lips twitched as saliva filled her mouth, running into a pool on the chipmunk.
“Yes! Yes, that’s it! Become clean once again, my child!”
She heard her own low growl. She felt raw, savage, untamed, even more then when she’d let her walls down in search of her friends. Taking the knife, she slit open the creature’s belly, the sweet aroma filling her. She wanted to devour every delectable morsel.
She lost control. She was no longer was Skylar Colt, the high school student with the sweet-ass sports car. She wasn’t the high school photographer making friends with Carly. She wasn’t loved by her parents.
Skylar was feral. She had a pack. She owned the wilderness.
“Come to me,” he told her.
She still held the knife as he walked toward her. It felt like some foreign object in her hand.
“My father,” Skylar said, tilting her head.
“That’s right. Bring your meal. We shall partake of it together. It will be our communion of trust and devotion to the original way of life.”
She edged closer to him, and every muscle twitched as her mind fought for control of her two personalities. Morgan appeared—her leader. She would help Skylar become her true self again.
“Hand me that tool, and I will divide our meal.”
Skylar’s hand slowly rose. Haley emerged from the forest and stood next to Morgan as she handed her a pointed stick. They both motioned for her to join them.
But Skylar had to abide The Father’s wishes.
“That’s a good girl,” he paused and turned to Morgan. “Take Haley to our spot.” Turning back to Skylar, he placed his hand over hers.
“Skye!” Haley yelled her name—if that was her name.
Morgan ran toward their Father with the pointed end of the stick.
Morgan is evil. She’d betrayed them. No, she betrayed The Father, our Father.
Skylar’s mind warred against itself. “Father . . .” She wanted to warn him, but . . . the other Skylar stepped forward as the fog lifted. The cabin smoke overtook the smell of chipmunk and her wild senses lessened. Skylar’s pack—her friends—were here to save her.
“What is it my wild one?”
She grinned slyly. “Nothing, father,” Skylar pulled her hand and knife from his.
Morgan was inches away now.
In an instant, he spun, grabbed the weapon and laid Morgan out with a backhanded slap.
Skylar’s primitive rage became unleashed. She rounded The Father and lunged with her shoulder, hitting him full force in his back. They stumbled forward together. As he tried to stop his momentum, she kicked him behind each knee.
“Your punishment will be great!” He roared.
“Yours will be greater, father, I promise!” Skylar growled at her prey.
They rolled toward the cliff and he grabbed her knife-wielding hand. His heels dangled over the edge as mist from the waterfall sprayed them. The dirt beneath their feet began to crumble and slide down the cliff into the water.
“Skylar Colt,” he said, twisting her wrist so that the knife in her hand came close to her face, “you’re foolish if you think I’m the only—” He growled in pain as she kicked him in the shin.
“I don’t care who you think you are. You’re nothing but a kidnapping, torturing, demented psychopath! Goodbye, father!” Skylar pushed him over the edge.
He still gripped her hand as he twisted in the air. He slid down the sloped cliff and Skylar was pulled with him, her body half over the edge. The Father held onto a rock with his other hand, keeping them both from falling.
“I always knew you had it in you, Colt.” With almost inhuman strength, he pressed the knife-tip toward her throat.” Morgan never would have stood a chance in a fight for leadership.”
The rock loosened and they slipped a few inches. The knife came close to the delicate skin of her throat as she fought to keep her neck arched. The ground crumbled as she reached for the Grizzle head he wore.
She had to know his identity.
“Do it. Witness Father! I dare you!”
Skylar began to pull even as the point of the knife stung her neck. “I have to know who destroyed my life.”
“You just may regret that decision, child.”
The Grizzly head slipped and Skylar screamed in pain as the knife began sliding across her neck. She tried pushing back, but he was too strong.
The rock gave way from the cliff. He grabbed Skylar’s free hand. She was going to die along with the man she spent the last seven years escaping from. Hands grabbed each of her ankles, anchoring her.
“Get him offs you, Skye!”
“Yeah, hurry it up, you’re both so heavy!”
They slid a few inches more. The knife slid from her throat and the Grizzly head fell back into place. Her blood dripped onto bear lips and The Father stuck his tongue through the bear’s mouth and licked her blood.
“You taste delicious.”
Rage coursed through her. Every emotion she’d ever experienced came rushing forward. Somehow, she pulled The Father toward her with unfathomable strength. She looked at her own
reflection in his black eyes.
Skylar saw the wild one, and it was her.
In a flash, she sunk her teeth into one of his hands and then into the other. He yelled and his grips loosened. She swung her head back and brought it forward with as much force as possible. Skylar felt his nose snap against her forehead. He released her hands, clutching his face as she was pulled backward by Morgan and Haley.
The Father kicked the cliff, launching himself from it, and Skylar watched as he fell toward the deep pool below, Morgan and Haley joining her as their Father descended to his death.
He howled until his back splashed into the water. His body floated in circles as he bobbed just beneath the surface until the current caught his body and he floated down the river.
Moving from the cliff’s edge the three of them sat together. They didn’t say a word as the shock settled in. The shock of The Father’s death or knowing they were finally free, Skylar wasn’t sure which.
Morgan tore a piece from the burlap sack and used it to bandage Skylar’s wounded neck. Looking around, Skylar spotted the whirlwind of smoke rising from the cabin and realized with a sinking gut that it wasn’t over yet.
Trevor.
Chapter Twenty-Six
They’d searched for The Father’s body, but all they’d found was a glove along the bank. Haley worried he was still alive and would be coming after them again, but Skylar and Morgan relished fantasies of a mountain lion dragging him into the woods for a well-deserved meal.
Back at the cabin, nothing remained but hot ashes and soot. It would pointless to search for remnants of Trevor’s body—nothing would have remained.
A deep sadness filled Skylar. Her friends held her hands as the three of them made the long walk back to the truck. Climbing inside, it was hard to believe they would never come back here again. On the drive home, they all fell mute. It was Haley, of all people, who broke the silence from the back seat.
“It’s over. We can be together again.”
Morgan gave Skylar a steely-eyed look.
In the mirror, Skylar saw Haley’s face, full of adulation. Skylar smiled. “Sure. Everything’s going to be perfect now, Haley.”
“Yay!”
Morgan removed her seat belt and crawled into the backseat with Haley, and the two girls rubbed their heads together and clawed each other’s palms. Wanting one final meal for Morgan to remember her by, Skylar decided to stop by for Thai food.
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