“Oh, is the pup upset because daddy dearest doesn’t think he can beat little old me?” I watched his face transform from anger to pure hatred and rage. I laughed as Vince held him back. “Too bad. I would have enjoyed watching the life drain from your eyes, Brandon.”
They all froze when I said his name. But then Brandon shook. “You can’t trick us. You heard them say my name the other day in the clearing.”
I just smiled as I sliced the last line into the rune. I felt the drain stop and sighed. I stood up on my paws and grinned. “Well, it’s been really fun, guys. But I think it’s time I took my leave.”
Rick walked closer and I could see the slight panic in his eyes. “I don’t think so, girl.” He tried to shut down the emotion, but he was having a harder time today.
I let my tongue wag as I smiled. “But I do.” I turned to look at Vince and Brandon. “Until we meet again.” I winked and then I turned and sprinted full force towards the field where we were going to hold our mating ceremony again. At least I knew my way out of the pack lands through the streets. The woods were full of traps anyway, and who knew what else was waiting for me?
I allowed Nix to take over, and I stepped back, pulling magic to us, and pushing it into Megan’s feet. Nix wanted to howl. The feeling of the wind in our fur once again was a gift from the Goddess, but she held back.
We were moving quickly. I heard Rick behind me, but then I heard him stumble. “What the fuck?” Rick called back to Vince. “Something is wrong.”
Vince made it to his side as he hit the ground. “What’s wrong?”
Rick shook in his exertion. “I feel drained.” He looked up at Vince. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”
I laughed as I slid to a stop a block away. Far enough for a head start, but close enough they could still hear my voice. “Your witch isn’t the only one with tricks.” Then I turned and ran.
I ran past my house, and I wanted to turn in, to check in on everyone. But I had to run back and pretend I just got back in. I ran past guards and patrols, gaining speed. When Nix got tired, Megan took over. I kept feeding magic into our feet, and after a few hours of running back and forth, weaving through the groups of wolves, I was finally off pack lands.
Nix?I turned back to my exhausted wolf.
Yeah?She rolled over to look at me.
Use the vacuum.
She furrowed her brow.What the hell are you talking about?
Remember when we were learning to change our scent? The candle changed it and the vacuum…
Made it disappear completely.
I nodded. Exactly.I don’t want anyone following our trail.
She nodded and hopped up. I watched as she dragged herself to the clearing and I summoned the vacuum. It was funny to watch her blow out the candle and then turn on the vacuum. She got the switch on the third attempt with her claws. She grabbed the hose with her teeth and sat down with it pointed at the candle.
I turned back to Megan.I know you’re tired. But we need to make this as confusing as ever. Just in case they can track our prints.
She nodded and started weaving in and out of the trees. She ran through a few streams and then doubled back further up. It was dark by the time we made it to the airport. I shifted back to my body for the first time in almost a week. I stretched before I jogged down to the SUV. I pulled my keys out of my pocket and I kissed them, thankful that my shifting let me keep my keys, since they were in my pocket.
I slid into my mom’s SUV and grabbed my phone from where I left it. It was dead, not surprising. So I turned the car on and plugged the charger into it. I was going to wait, but then my stomach rumbled, and I realized I hadn’t eaten or drank anything the entire time I was locked up. I pulled out and drove to some burger joint drive-thru.
I ate in the parking lot as my phone charged. As I finished my meal and finally turned my phone on, I had to wait a solid minute for all the notifications to stop. Before I could do anything, a call came through. My mom’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hello.”
I heard her quiet sob as she heard my voice. But she was still smart enough to be careful of what she said. “Hey baby. I miss you already.” Her voice was full of tears. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in a week.”
I laughed. “It’s only been a few hours, mom.” I sighed as I stretched. “I just landed. I have a ton of notifications that I have to go through and I have to drive home. But I’ll video call when I’m home, okay?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” She sniffled. “Remember to stop and get groceries. The stuff at the house was pretty much gone, and anything that was left in the house is probably bad.” Shit, they needed food.
“Of course, mom, I’ll stop off at the store. Thanks for reminding me. Give me two hours and I’ll be able to video call you so you can see my face. Okay?”
“Sounds good, baby. Two hours. Promise me.”
“I promise. Two hours.” I hung up and checked the rest of my phone. I missed over a hundred calls from my mother. There were a few that I had no idea who they were from. Over twenty from Rick. Then there was a weird text message that was encrypted. I clicked it and was surprised it was from Rick.
