by JJ King
Chapter 23
A trickle of Adeline’s blood ran down my foreleg as I raced across the open marsh with Ms. Morgan at my side, being pushed past her fatigue by adrenaline and my Alpha commands.
I felt it, like a ticking time bomb, soaking into my fur, becoming part of me, changing my essence. She’d been a good person, a kind, smart, giving wolf and now she was dead.
And we’d left her behind.
I could feel the imaginary weight of the gun aiming at us and it spurred me forward. I didn’t bother darting side to side after we’d made it farther across the open land, knowing the range didn’t reach that far and that they wouldn’t have all shifted to make that shot. There was one shooter, which meant there were up to four wolves prowling these woods. We needed speed and distance now.
I’d led them, my pack, my responsibilities, out into the open on confidence based on false assumptions. Natural born Alpha or not, how was I supposed to live with the aftermath of my mistakes, especially when it cost good wolves their lives?
The pack’s safety was my priority. I’d accessed powers I didn’t yet understand and now they looked to me for guidance. The newness of it had been heady, but the weight had come crashing down. I fell back a step and nipped at Ms. Morgan's legs to keep her moving and nearly sobbed in relief when we broke from the open and slipped into the cover of trees.
I followed the scent of the pack easily knowing full well the wolves on our ass would find and follow the scent just as easily. Around a hundred feet into the brush, I stopped and turned to Ms. Morgan whose entire body trembled from shock, grief, exhaustion and more, I knew, and pressed my mind into hers again.
Follow the pack. Catch up to them and tell Daniella to keep going. I’ll draw the enemy.
Ms. Morgan’s neck stiffened, and she shook her head adamantly, with more energy than I’m assumed she had in reserve. I saw the flare of intelligence in her eyes and remembered that she was a teacher and that she’d been sent on the flight to supervise my return to campus. She wanted to stay with me, I realized.
But she was still weak, and the pack needed to know to move on. I needed her to follow orders so I could keep them safe. My mind spun, trying to find the illogic in my plan, and couldn’t find it. If I could draw Viktor’s men away from the others, they’d be safe. I drew back my lips in a snarl, sending the message that I wasn’t playing around, then glanced back out to where Adeline lay, alone in the snow, and stepped forward and butted my head against hers.
Ms. Morgan shifted her head to brush against mine, in a sign of affection as much as a message to stay safe, then ran off into the woods, following the pack’s scent. I watched her disappear then stepped back and turned.
I sensed movement a second before the wolf appeared in my peripheral vision. For a split second, I froze, unable to move, then adrenaline pumped through my veins, probably the last I had left in my body, and I whirled, teeth bared, and shoulders lowered. Whoever it was, they were going to be in for a big surprise.
I stared into the shadows where the wolf hid and moved cautiously to my right, making his eyes track me. They flashed white in the dark and sparked a memory. My eyes narrowed; it could be anyone. More wolves than Connor had pale eyes.
I opened my senses and tasted the air and was met by the familiar. My body swayed for a moment then sagged to the snow. For just a minute, all alone out here with no one but Connor to witness my weakness, I wanted to just be me. I looked out at the marsh, covered my nose with my paws and whined softly.
Connor moved to my side and lay down next to me, then leaned close and licked his tongue over my foreleg.
I pulled back, shocked and surprised by his forwardness, then I looked down and saw Adeline’s blood still staining my fur and closed my eyes against the grief.
After a few seconds, because that was all we had to spare, I rose to my feet and looked over at him, finally noticing the long pack slung lengthwise over his lupine body. I leaned in and took a sniff of the material then pulled back with a huff as I recognized the scent of metal and silver. There was a gun in there!
I stared at him, wishing we could speak back and forth. I could press my thoughts into him but it didn’t work the other way around, not like how I felt Bash’s emotions.
So, I did the only thing left to do and called to my wolf. In the time it took for me to shift, I came up with a dozen questions.
“Did you get that from one of Viktor’s men?” I asked before he’d even finished his change. It took only a few seconds for him to stand, naked now since he’d shimmied out of the single strap, and face me.
“Yeah,” Connor confirmed, nodding. He bent to retrieve the pack and unzipped the long enclosure. For such a slim pack, it held a lot of supplies, including clothing that smelled familiar and the gun I’d scented, which turned out to be a revolver rather than a semi-automatic. I eyed it cautiously, hating all guns but satisfied, at least, that I could actually shoot this one.
“I ambushed one of them around four miles back and took his pack. They’re all traveling like this,” he explained, pulling the tip out. “Which is why they can keep up with the pack and still carry their weapons.” Connor’s brow furrowed as he glanced around. “Where are they?”
His gaze darted back to me then out to Adeline and the color drained from his cheeks.
“No!” I exclaimed, reaching out to grab his arm. “No, they’re fine. I had Daniella lead them away. That way.” I pointed west then pivoted to point east. “I’m going that way. You don’t happen to have any of that disinfectant spray anymore, do you? I’d love to cover their tracks first.”
Connor’s right cheek quirked up in that crooked grin that had always got me right in the gut and he pulled out two bottles of clear liquid that made my nose scrunch in distaste. I grinned and grabbed one then reached into the pack and pulled out a pair of lined leggings, a thermal shirt and a pair of thick wool stockings. My eyebrows shot up at those.
Without saying a word, Connor reached into the pack and pulled out two plastic bags. “Put these on first to keep your feet dry. It was the best I could do.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” I quipped, already pulling on the clothes. It wasn’t much, but with the running we were bound to do, we wouldn’t freeze to death. And once we covered the others’ trail, we could shift back and run in the warmth of our fur. I sat down on an exposed piece of rock and pulled on my socks then wrapped the bags tightly over and knotted them tight, so they’d stay put. “Slippery, but it works,” I said, standing on the plastic.
I ignored the gun still tucked inside the pack and moved to cover the path the pack had gone down with the disinfectant spray. We worked fast and in silence, not knowing how much time we had, but refusing to leave until we’d given the others their best chance.
We darted into the forest in the opposite direction as soon as we were done, making sure to run close to the trees so our scent was more easily detected. I made sure mine was thick by ducking under a hanging evergreen branch and “accidentally” leaving behind a few stray auburn hairs. They’d scent me like wolfhounds and forget about the others, I hoped.
We ran for only a few minutes before stopping and pulling frantically at the clothes and stuffing them back into the pack that Connor laid on the ground with the strap hitched up on a branch. His shift was fast and furious, as was mine, and in moments he’d sprouted thick fur and shimmed back into the pack then we were racing away.
An aggravated howl broke the silence just as we met our stride. I noticed, with a start, that the sky was beginning to lose the deep edges of night. Morning was coming and, with it, hopefully, rescue.
I tried to stay alert, listening for attack, but my thoughts kept wandering. Adeline and the others were dead. Ms. Morgan had pulled through. Viktor wanted to kill me because of my bloodline and the fear I’d claim my right to the Alphaship, but he had no idea of my abilities. I had no idea what they meant. My life was in chaos and I just wanted my parents and friends.
Things were going to have to change when we made it back.
For starters, I was going to suck it up and go see my parents. They’d raised me from an infant, loved me, never, for an instant, made me feel like a burden. I was their daughter and I’d been acting like a broken, petulant brat for the last few months. I swore to the Old Ones that if we made it out of this alive, I would put the hurt aside and hug the shit out of them both.
The situation with Bethany and Sara was going to change, too. It had to. I had Rory and Bash now, and, maybe, thinking it over, Daniella, but it wasn’t the same. Bethany and Sara had helped me to the house when I’d broken my leg jumping my BMX. We’d celebrated when we’d become women, joining the ancient line of wise warriors who had the power to create life. Or, at least, that’s what we’d decided to call ourselves.
I’d been spinning for months, unraveling and refusing to grab ahold of my foundation to find my balance. They were my rocks, not just Bash, and I’d been foolish to think, even for an instant, that I could live without them.
I also needed to learn more about my Alpha powers.
I couldn’t put it into words, the feeling that had waved over me when the voice had burst from my mouth. No, I thought with a shake of my head, it hadn’t just come from my voice. It had seeped from my pores, from my blood, from my bones. I could feel it, even now, simmering beneath the surface of my skin, ready to be called upon. It made me feel powerful and nervous. I’d hurt people with it, forced my will on them by accident and, then, on purpose. Alphas spent entire lifetimes learning how to lead and I’d spent my life carefree on the shores of Newfoundland. I wasn’t too proud to admit that I needed help and lots of it.
Not if I was going to get strong enough to take Viktor down.
Connor’s quiet bark pulled me out of my thoughts and back to the moment. My head snapped up in alarm, but his quick head shake calmed my leaping pulse. I slowed down and looked around, seeing our surroundings. We were on the bank of a wide river that rushed wildly over still visible rocks that churned the water into white tips. I’d been so deep into my head that I hadn’t heard or scented the water. Old Ones, I really did need to get better at this.
I tilted my head and waited for Connor to indicate why we’d stopped then let my gaze slide back to the water and a smile lifted my lips.
Good idea, I pushed the words into Connor and saw his flash of satisfaction that I’d understood his purpose.
I left my scent on several surfaces then walked down to the river, letting my feet dig into the rocks, and stepped into the rushing water.
It felt like a million needles piercing my skin, even through my fur, but I stepped in farther and leaped to one of the rocks. Connor joined me a second later and, for a moment, we just stood there, amidst the rushing water, poised to make our next move.
He looked at me with those familiar icy eyes and lifted his shoulders in such a human move it made me smile. Then I realized he was waiting for me to decide our direction. He was looking to me to lead us to safety. Surprise and nerves warred for dominance.
I looked down and considered the options. We could swim across the river and come out on the other side, leaving evidence that we’d gone that way, but then we’d be soaked through and, with no idea of when help would arrive, that would leave us dangerously chilled in this winter weather. It was too bad the rocks didn’t span the entire river, I mused, wishing there was an easy answer.
We could move along the edge of the river, keeping our fur dry except for our legs, and disappear into the tree lines upriver or down. The rushing water would eliminate any trace of our prints and, if we were careful, we could hide our point of exit. We could even lay a false trail as a decoy, giving us more time. If we shifted back and used the last of the disinfectant spray to cover our path, we could possibly escape altogether. Deciding that was our best bet, I relayed the plan to Connor and watched him anxiously to see if he’d agree. His sharp nod was the best confirmation I could have received.
We moved quickly, laying the decoy path downriver, then shifted for the millionth time that day and sprayed an area with the disinfectant. We made sure to leave a small swatch of scent behind as if our exhaustion had finally resulted in a mistake, then shivered our way through the water to our real exit. Here, we were careful to eliminate any trace of our scent and passage before moving quietly away from the river.
The sun rose as we moved, taking our time to make sure there was no hint of our passing left behind. The fluffy snow falling steadily around us helped, making it easier to cover our plastic bag wrapped footprints.
My stomach twisted with hunger that invited fatigue and made weird gurgling noises that broke the silence. When Connor’s stomach answered, we turned to look at one another with weary eyes.
“We need to eat,” I said, stating the obvious. “Are you sure there isn’t any jerky stuffed in that pack?” I felt like crossing my fingers and making a wish like I’d often done as a child.
Connor’s tired expression and subtle shake of his head confirmed that we’d have to forage for our breakfast. I loosed a dramatic sigh that made the corners of his lips twitch then turned to scan the area for anything edible.
We found a few batches of elderberries that looked beyond delicious with their shiny dark berries but would cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I wasn’t ready to sacrifice my constitution for a full belly, so we moved on and found a small pond with trout that were caught easily enough and consumed raw and with enthusiasm. The trout did little to fill us up, but it helped push us on with the hope of finding more food.
The snow stopped as the sun climbed higher, clearing the skies of clouds and sending warming rays down onto my face. I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, enjoying the simple moment before forcing my feet to take another step, then another.
Exhaustion crept up on me like a thief, stealing my energy and any shred of patience I had left. My thoughts slipped back to my parents and friends, to the situation I was in now that I knew the truth of my birth, but I couldn’t seem to hold onto the determination I’d had. All the insecurities and grief I’d been battling through and moving past came rushing back in a rush of negative emotion that made my feet drag even more.
“Elena,” Connor’s voice was rough with fatigue and just the sound of it brought a new wave of annoyance as I remembered just how much he’d fucked up my life.
He’d whispered his love and held me in his arms when my heart had been as fresh as the fallen snow and as naive as a child. I’d been a child, really, and he’d convinced me that we had a future together. Then, without a single explanation, he’d turned away from me. He didn’t even have the decency to leave town or fake his own death. No, he’d stayed there, where I could see him and question what was wrong with me every single day until I couldn’t anymore, and I just stopped living. It had taken considerable love and friendship to pull me back, but I’d put the past behind me and moved on.
Anger, dark and roiled, began to pull from my veins and bubble in my gut. My breathing shifted, coming harder now, more demanding. My head swam from it and my fingers curled into tight fists that wanted to strike out, to draw blood, to make him feel what he’d made me feel.
Destroyed.
It came too fast to hold back, too powerful to contain. My eyes flew wide as I realized at the last second, too late to stop it, what was about to happen.
I bit down on my lip and plastered my hands over my mouth, but the scream broke through anyway, hitting Connor full in the chest.
Chapter 24
He flew through the air and landed with a crack of his skull against the cave wall.
I raced to him, too afraid to utter a sound, and lifted my hand to his cheeks, cradling his head to see if he was alive.
Please be alive! I pleaded silently.
Desperation and overwhelming panic coursed through me as I looked into his pale blue eyes and waited for his pupils to react. When they did, I nearly sobbed.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so
sorry,” I repeated over and over, like a mantra, praying the entire time for the Old Ones to keep him, to save him.
I ran my fingers gingerly over the back of his head and made a low keening sound that couldn’t be helped when I touched something sticky matted through his hair. Carefully, I lowered him to the ground.
He looked up at me, unblinking, staring through me and into the morning sky. “Please,” I begged. “Connor, please, be okay.”
Memories swamped me, good ones and bad, all mixed together in a jumble that was barely comprehensible. All I knew was that it hurt, enough to double me over as tears flowed from my stinging eyes.
The growl burst through my grief and confusion and had me leaping to cover Connor’s body with my own. I looked up to the top of the cave that was to have been our sanctuary, at least until I’d fucked up again, and saw the mountain lion.
My gaze locked on her tawny eyes, which were narrowed and gleaming with the sharpness of a predator. I narrowed my own and wondered what the hell had prompted her to attack. Mountain lions were reclusive, nocturnal, and rarely attacked humans unless…
I pulled in a long draw of air, letting it circle through my nostrils and tasted the barely discernible scent of another mountain lion. No, I breathed in again, never moving my gaze from hers. More than one. She had young nearby, I realized with a start, probably inside the cave. And I was standing between her and them.
She watched me carefully, scenting a predator, a wolf, but seeing a human. It made her cautious but also put her on edge, I could see it in the way her muscles bunched beneath her golden fur.
Slowly, I climbed to my feet, never breaking eye contact for fear she’d act on her nerves and pounce. She was a mother and I’d been taught to never mess with a mom.
The problem was, she wasn’t moving, and I couldn’t abandon Connor’s unconscious body. The scent of his blood was in the air, heightening my senses, drawing out my wolf, which only made her edgier. She moved sideways, stepping carefully, and lowered her shoulders further, baring her teeth.