“That’s a lot of hairiness in one place.”
“And that is a shameful generalization, Bryn Ashton.”
“You’re telling me there are hairless lupines? Seriously?”
“I know one or two guys who like to shave their heads.”
“Ha, who knew?” Bryn grabbed his jacket. “So what’s it all about? A while back you said it was a cross between a hunt and a race.”
“That’s right. The organizers pick some remote area and lay a scent trail. You remember how I could find Edwin Junior because there were smells that didn’t fit with the surroundings? It’s kind of the same thing. It’s a cross country run but there’s no laid out course other than the scent. The start and end points are always the same, so it’s circular and somewhere along the route you have to collect a flag. If there are any human competitors, they get given a set of coordinates to follow a bit like orienteering. Spectators are restricted to the start-finish line.”
“So what happens in the woods, stays in the woods?”
“Yeah, it can get a bit rough.”
“So what do you get if you win?”
“Bragging rights.”
Bryn gaped. “You mean you put yourself through this and there’s no prize at the end of it?”
“That’s right.”
“You ever win?”
Gunnar shrugged. “Not yet. Came close a couple times, but some of these dudes practice every week and I don’t have a schedule that allows for that. I like the taking part, the banter, being around a bunch of wolves. It’s fun.”
“And I get to go watch. Yay.”
“Would you rather be working?”
Bryn thought about it for all of five seconds. “No. Any day off is better than none, even if it is pouring with rain out there. Emmett better be packing a lot of snacks.”
“I did!” Emmett exclaimed as he joined them. He was bundled up in waterproof gear and a purple bobble hat. “I went to the market and got a whole bunch of stuff. Anything with an E number and it was game. The competitors get food at the end of the run so I didn’t even have to get healthy stuff for Gunnar.”
“You sound excited,” Gunnar said.
“Sure am. It’s amazing I get the chance to see this. Thanks for letting me tag along, Gunnar.”
“I’m happy to have you with us, Emmett,” Gunnar said, “but this trip didn’t have much to do with me. It was Warden’s idea that we made it a team outing and he wanted you along.”
Emmett bounced. “Is Warden coming too?”
“He is, but he’s meeting us there,” Gunnar confirmed. “He had some other mysterious errands to do in the area first.”
“Just you and me for the snacks then, Emmett,” Bryn said, rubbing his hands together. “It might not be such a bad day out after all.”
“Well, if you two don’t get your asses in the car, we won’t make the start at all, so get moving.”
“I’m taking shotgun,” Bryn said, following Gunnar out of the building. A GCR four-wheel drive was waiting for them. “So we’re going to Harold Parker State Forest. What’s there?”
They all got into the vehicle and Gunnar set off.
“I can tell you about it,” Emmett piped up. “I did some research.”
“Of course you did.” Bryn twisted around to show Emmett he wasn’t being mean. He smiled. “Because you’re always the most prepared person on the team.”
“I’m not really the spontaneous type,” Emmett said, ducking his head. “I like to know what’s happening and keep everything organized.”
