Smokey peeked inside, smiling at the sight. “Honey Cinamon rolls? You made them for me? Holy shit! I can’t believe you did! My mother used to make them all the time.” Removing the cover, he passed the container to Norm. “Have one…you’re gonna love it.” Then, after giving one to Theo, he reached in and grabbed one for himself, taking a huge bite. Closing his eyes as the flavors burst forth in his mouth, Smokey groaned in ecstasy, his mind filling with memories of cold winter mornings and the scent of honey cinnamon rolls in their cabin.
Finally, Smokey reached his limit. “I’m gonna need some serious gym time if you keep feeding me like this,” he said, rubbing his stomach.
Laughing, Norm packed the rest of the food into the picnic basket. “Theo’s an amazing chef.” Then handing a bottle of water to each of his mates, he continued, “Personally, I think he’s even better than Kota…though if you tell Kota I said that, I’ll have your balls.”
Smokey saw how much pleasure Norm’s compliment gave Theo when their mate broke into a broad smile…and he hoped he’d see more of that in Theo’s face in the future. “I agree with Eagle Feather,” he said grinning. “Your food is absolutely the best I’ve ever eaten.” Then taking Theo in his arms, Smokey kissed him until his mate was breathless.
Seeing his two mates together, excited Norm, more than he’d thought, stimulating him to join in on the fun. Crawling over, he pressed himself against Theo’s back, nuzzling his mate’s neck, becoming intoxicated with his scent. Turning his head, Theo found Norm’s lips, kissing him passionately allowing him to savor the taste of Smokey on his tongue. So lost was he in his mates’ loving, Theo never heard the gunshot.
But Smokey did. Abruptly pulling back from Theo, he searched the immediate area to make sure the kids were all right. But before he could say anything, another gunshot echoed in the woods followed by a scream.
Slightly dazed by his Theo’s kisses, Norm looked over at Smokey with wide eyes. “Was that a gunshot?”
Jumping up, Smokey cursed. “Two…Willow’s in trouble. Round up the kids and find a place to hide. Stay there…and make sure they remain quiet.”
“Where are you going?” asked Theo, untangling himself from Norm before getting up.
“To find Willow!”
“Shouldn’t we get Jackson?” asked Norm.
Just then another scream pierced the air. Smokey tilted his head in its direction before answering. “I don’t know whothatwas butit wasn’t Willow. I gotta go…just get those kids somewhere safe…and don’t fucking move until I come back.”
Chapter 16
“Shouldn’t you go with him?” Theo asked Norm, worriedly.
Looking at the spot where Smokey had disappeared into the forest, Norm hesitated. As much as he wanted to go, he knew Smokey was right. Turning to Theo, he said, “Let’s do what he said and hide with the kids. I don’t know what happened, but our mate can handle it.”
Before Theo could argue, he heard a small howl followed by growling. Turning around, he spied Daniel’s wolf making a beeline for the forest. “Danny, stop!” he yelled.
“I’ll get him,” Norm muttered, running after the pup. “Stay with the others.”
Shaking, Theo headed over to the fallen tree, noticing the looks of fear on Galen and Eamon’s faces. Reaching them, he pulled them tight to his chest before saying to Jake and Jessica, “I want you guys to shift.”
Norm was surprised at how fast Danny’s wolf could run, but luckily, he stopped at the edge of the forest.
Staring into the trees, the wolf pup sniffed for Smokey’s scent. Baring his teeth and snarling, he stepped into the brush, following the trail left by the bear.
“Fuck!” Norm muttered, finally catching up to the young pup. “Danny, you can’t go after Smokey.” Scooping him up, he held him firmly, grimacing as he listened to Danny’s growls at being thwarted. Heading back to Theo and the rest of the kids, he hoped Danny wouldn’t take out his frustration on him. When he reached his mate, he handed him over and said, “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“To find us a place to hide.” Norm glanced around the meadow, looking for a place that would serve their purpose. He jogged over to a path hidden from view, grunting with satisfaction when it showed no signs of recent use. Returning to Theo, he said, “I’ll take Danny and Jake. You’ll have to carry Jessica.”
Bending down, Theo picked up Jessica with one arm, and grasped Eamon’s hand with the other. “Galen, take your brother’s hand…and don’t let go.”
After Galen had grabbed Eamon’s hand, Theo saw the fear still etched on all the kids’ quiet faces. To ease their tension, he asked, “Everyone ready to play hide ’n seek?”
“Who we hidin’ from?” asked Galen, looking carefully around the meadow.
“Smokey!” exclaimed Theo. “Norm’s found us a perfect place to hide.”
“Is he countin’?” asked Eamon.
“Yup, so we better go hide before he finishes,” Theo replied.
“What if Smokey can’t find us?” asked Eamon.
