Chapter 5
Ali
been chattering nonstop for the past hour, and Ali was beginning to understand that the supernatural trucking community operated more like an extended family than a loose network of independent drivers.
"Big Timber, this is Siren," came the otherworldly voice of the banshee they'd met at Moonbeam's."Just passed three state patrol units heading your direction on I-80.Pack communication says they're coordinating a roadblock."
"Copy that, Siren.Appreciate the heads up."
Ali watched Tim adjust their route on the GPS, his massive fingers surprisingly nimble on the touch screen.Through the CB, she could hear what sounded like actual howling in the background of Luna's transmission—pack communication that sent chills down her spine.
"They're really coordinating like a pack," she said, fascinated by the supernatural elements she was witnessing.
"Luna's wolves can communicate over miles when they need to," Tim explained."Bertha's cousins are using dragon fire to repair a blown tire on Snowman's rig.This isn't just trucking—it's supernatural community survival."
As if summoned by his words, Ali spotted the first truck in her side mirror—a midnight blue Kenworth that moved with predatory grace.When it pulled alongside them, she could see Luna clearly: silver-streaked hair, eyes that reflected light like mirrors, and the unmistakable aura of an alpha.
"That's Luna," Tim said."Mountain Ridge pack alpha.Been running medical supplies for fifteen years."
The werewolf trucker gave them a nod, and Ali caught howls echoing from Luna's CB radio—pack members reporting positions, sharing information in ways that made human communication seem primitive.
"How many trucks are we talking about?"Ali asked.
"Fifteen, maybe twenty by the time we hit the state line."Tim checked his mirrors, and Ali noticed his scent had been getting stronger throughout the drive."More than Cottonmouth can handle with local resources."
They'd been driving for another hour when Ali noticed Tim's behavior starting to change dramatically.It was subtle at first—the way he kept glancing at her, how his breathing had become deeper, more controlled.But as the miles passed, it became impossible to ignore.
His scent was overwhelming the cab.Frost traced across her fingertips as her power flared.Every time she shifted in her seat, every casual touch when he handed her the CB radio, Tim was leaving traces of himself on her clothes, her skin.
"Tim," she said during a lull in the CB chatter, "what's happening to you?"
His hands tightened on the steering wheel until she could hear the leather groan."Nothing I can't handle."
"That's not an answer."Ali studied his profile, noting the flush creeping up his neck."Your scent is...intense right now."
Tim was quiet for so long she thought he might not answer.Then: "It's rut season.Your presence, the mate bond, the stress of the convoy—it's triggering biological responses I've kept suppressed for twenty years."
"Rut season?"She'd read about cryptid mating cycles, but experiencing it firsthand was entirely different.
"Seasonal breeding cycle.Most sasquatch go through it once or twice a year, but I've been alone so long, I thought..."He trailed off, his voice rougher than usual."I thought it was dormant."
The CB crackled with Luna's voice: "Big Timber, we're stopping at the next rest area.Bertha's mobile kitchen needs to resupply, and frankly, your scent is affecting every supernatural within a fifty-mile radius."
Tim's flush deepened."Copy that, Luna."
Heat flooded her cheeks as the implications sank in.Not only was Tim in some kind of supernatural heat, but apparently everyone could tell.
"Pull over," she said.
