I don’t move, standing there for a long time because I know those howls; they are hunting howls. And they aren’t my family.
They are someone much worse.
Jonas.
I have to get to town, get my car, and get back to the safety of the mountain without him finding me.
I crouch down, make sure my boot laces are tight, zip up my jacket, pull my hood on, and then I plunge off the trail, racing straight towards town.
The rough terrain should slow me down, but I’m so desperate that I fly through, allowing branches to snatch at my hair, scratch my arms up. When I see the town, I slow down, working my way closer to where my car is parked.
I stay in the trees, watching intently before I dash down, pressing myself up against the side of Mason’s Hardware store. I creep down the street, glancing furtively as a car slowly cruises by.
I’m only a few feet from my truck, and I think I’ve made it. I’ve got my keys in my hands, relief is already filling my body, when he steps out from behind the car beside mine.
“Just where have you been, breeder?”
I scowl, rocking back on my heels. Surprised because he set a trap, and Jonas isn’t normally that patient or smart.
I can’t run. I can’t fight.
All I have is outsmarting him and luck.
I hope she’s on my side today, she’s never been before, though.
“Jonas,” I whisper his name with all sorts of dread and fear.
My future mate leers at me in a way that is terrifying and brings back memories I’d rather keep buried.
And all I can do is stand there, feeling the terror wash over me and the dawning realisation that I just made a huge mistake.
And there’s no one coming to save me.
Riot
I follow the packreluctantly, furiously, each step I take dragging. There was something off about her scent, something spicy that I didn’t like.
She wasn’t telling us the truth; I know it deep down. So, what awaits her back in town? I don’t want to leave her to deal with this alone.
She’s protecting us.
The thought explodes into my mind, and I stop, my feet refusing to move. I let out an unhappy whine, struggling against the bark. If I can just get free of it, I can go to her.
Please, Khaos, just this once, let me go.
We don’t use words exactly, it’s more thoughts, feelings, and body language, but we’re so used to each other that our way of communication is almost stronger than words.
He whirls, his teeth exposed.You don’t think things through; you are rash and impulsive, and she said she could handle it.
There is handling it and handling it,I impress on him.She’s protecting us. Khaos please. I will do anything.
Walk, Riot. She asked us to trust her.
With deep reluctance, I start walking again, then I break into a trot and finally a run. Fine, I’ll play his game.
Hazard runs at my side, watching me every few seconds. I can tell he’s not happy about the alpha bark that Khaos put on us either. I can only list five times Khaos has pulled rank. He was right the other times, but he’s not right this time.
She needs us.
