For the last two days, like the rest of our kind, we’d done as the Elders asked. We’d kept inside and not changed to our fur.
When the boys slept, we all watched the news and monitored what was happening around the country. Chaos continued to spread through the masses. Opposing factions heavily debated the existence of werewolves while seeking evidence to prove their views. Frequently, reports aired with images showing captured people in various stages of shifting due to varying forms of torture. It was hard to tell if those held were Urbat or werewolf, but Mom and Dad’s fear grew. As did the fear of the humans around the world.
Amidst reports of captured wolf-shifters, the news recounted the numerous mutilated human bodies being discovered in homes or dumped along roadsides. Agencies pleaded with the public to report suspected wolf-shifters rather than trying to identify them on their own. But, it didn’t help. The death toll for the humans rose as neighbor judged neighbor.
Because of the volatile state of the country, Dad had gone alone to the grocery store about three hours ago. Given that we had no car and were supposed to do things with human speed and strength, three hours didn’t seem unreasonable, though.
“Boys, let’s clean up and get ready for lunch,” Mom said suddenly.
“Is Uncle Gregory bringing back pizza?” Aden asked.
“No. We’re going somewhere.”
The scent of her half-lie tickled my nose. Paul and I shared a look as we helped the cubs pick up the cards.
“Where are we going?” Liam asked.
“I’m not sure, sweetie. I think Uncle Gregory is going to surprise us all. As soon as you’re ready, we’re going to meet him.”
I could tell we were doing more than meeting him, though. While we cleaned up, Mom repacked our hiking bags. They once again contained the only supplies we’d brought with us when coming here.
The moment the boys had the cards back in the box, Mom stood ready with their jackets by the door. Aden and Liam skipped toward her, unaware of the growing tension in the room. She helped the boys into their winter wear, and Paul and I quickly put our own jackets on before shrugging on the packs. Although snow covered the ground, our jackets weren’t for our benefit. We needed them to look more human.
“Paul, you lead the way,” she said, opening the door.
Mom picked up Liam, and I picked up Aden. At a brisk pace, we left the house and started down the sidewalk. The town Mom and Dad had selected wasn’t that big, and the house we’d rented was only a few blocks away from the outlying woods. We weren’t heading toward the woods, though. We were heading toward downtown.
When we turned the corner, we found Dad jogging toward us. A human speed jog, but we were warned not to run at all. Something was happening.
“Dad?” I asked.
He caught up to us, ruffled Aden’s hair with a smile then looked at me.
“I’d like the two of you to run ahead.” He nodded down the road to the west. “Your mom and I will be behind you. We just need to clean up.”
It’s what he always said when they hung back to cover our trail, a necessary precaution so the scattered Urbat didn’t stumble across our scents. This time, however, didn’t feel like a precaution. I met Dad’s eyes, and he gave a slow nod. They’d found us. I wasn’t sure that was any better than the humans suspecting us.
“All right,” Paul said, picking up Liam. “You’re with me, bud.”
I scooped up Aden and followed Paul at a human run. Grey’s message touched my mind before we reached the crosswalk.
Your dad was spotted by an Urbat several hours ago.He tried losing him and covering his scent trails, but it didn’t work. You need to leave the area. Three are coming from the south and west. Two from the north and east. Head northwest. Gabby is watching, and we’ll guide you.
Paul changed direction, turning at the next block, and I knew Grey was talking to him, too.
Tell Gabby thanks, and tell Michelle that we’ll keep her brothers safe,I sent back.
Keep yourselves safe, too.
We reached the forest, no problem, and ran like we were meant to run, weaving through the towering trees.
“We’re not getting pizza, are we?” I heard Liam say to Paul.
“Not tonight, bud. We need to play the quiet game again.”
Aden laid his head on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my neck. I worried about the cubs. Humans were so fragile, something Paul and I had learned from Gabby long ago. She’d been our friend and source of human information for years. So much had changed since our first meeting. She’d Claimed Clay, other human potential mates had been found, another species of werewolves had been brought to our attention, and Paul and I finally got to leave the Compound. Not quite the way either of us had hoped, however.
I continued to follow my brother through the trees untilPaul slowed in front of me. Neither of us spoke nor let the boys down. Hidden within the sparse lower branches of the spruces, we listened.
