Ezra got out of the car, slammed the door, and hurried along the road; the key still clutched in his hand.Someone would come for Jiprix.There were people patrolling the area.How he'd get the car back, he didn't know.
Fear filled his core as he imagined having to explain to Rourke what had happened.This time, he might be forced to punish him.
* * * *
Rourke's insides lurched.He took a stumbling step and grabbed Ulric's arm.They'd both stayed in human form to be able to communicate, but most of the people running next to them were in wolf form.
"What?"Ulric stopped, forcing Rourke to do the same.
"I don't know.Something happened."
"With Ezra?"Due was also in human form.
"Yes."
"Is he hurt?"She started running again, and Rourke followed.They didn't have time to stand around.
"I don't think so, but something happened.He's frightened, but angry too."
"Good."She nodded."Anger can get you far."
Rourke pushed forward.
They ran for a few more minutes, moving in loose formation, flying forward in the dark.He ran easier than he'd ever had and had to pace himself not to put distance between himself and the others.Weird, but this was not the time to analyze it.
"We're nearing the border."He spoke loudly to make sure everyone could hear him."Once we cross over, they'll sense us here.They'll know how many and where we are, so be prepared.Don't linger, make yourselves hard to hit."
He lowered his voice and spoke to Ulric."They drained their familiars during the last battle.We know Shixyll has at least one since she got the black kitty, but they might be weaker than last time."
"We'll need it."
Fuck.Rourk raised his voice again."Crossing the border now!"He might have imagined it, but he believed he sensed magic brushing over him.Maybe his connection to Ezra gave him the ability.According to the scriptures, he should be stronger after the mating.The bond should help them both.He hadn't sensed any differences before, no shifts in power, he didn't think.But it was different today.
Clan land was different from pack land.They mostly had forest, but here only a few groves interrupted the fields.
They followed the road.He didn't think Jiprix would stray from it.
A short time later, the scent of rot hit them hard, and Rourke snarled.A wall of eight witches appeared in front of them.They had to already have been out patrolling to get there this fast.
A green ball flew through the air, and a woman with a million long braids full of bling cackled as they jumped out of the way."Lost something, Alpha Flint?"The glee was evident in her voice.
He snarled at her."Where is Ezra?"
Another ball flew through the air, but he didn't think she was trying to hit them, simply keeping them at bay.Rourke glanced at Ulric, then looked around."Where is Geri?"
Ulric looked too."He was right here, wasn't he?"
"Farkas?"
No reply.Rourke didn't dare turn around, but where the fuck was Farkas."Farkas!"
Still no sign of him.
Rourke looked at the witches.They couldn't turn people invisible, could they?It wasn't something they'd seen before.
Lightning struck, not a natural lightning bolt, but a purple one.Tala jumped out of the way at the last second and growled at the witches.
Next, several balls of different colors exploded around them, and someone behind Rourke snarled in pain.It was the starting signal.The pack moved as one and the wall of witches scattered.They ran in different directions, throwing curses and a couple of them erected a shimmering shield in front of them.Rourke had seen them before.It wasn't a skill everyone possessed, but if you reached through the shield, your arm caught fire.
