I shifted to human form as well, just for the ease of conversation and gesture. “Well, if all goes well, then yes,” Isaid.
“So I was right. You and Charlie did hook up,”Jericho said, still wearing his snarkygrin.
“Yes, you were right, even though you were an ass about it,” I muttered. “Charlie and I mated during his heat, so hopefully he’ll be expecting a babysoon.”
All my friends rushed up to me. Everyone who was in wolf form wagged their tails excitedly and licked my face in celebration. Tyson gave me a half-hug around the shoulders and clapped me on theback.
“That’s awesome, Flint!” he said. “You must be soexcited!”
“I am. That’s why this hunt today is so important,” I told them. “It’s not gonna be the three of us anymore. I’m gonna have to feed a family offour.”
“I’m so glad you took over as Casey’s other father,”Ken said with a gentle smile. “She seems so happy aroundyou.”
“Alright, alright,”David grumbled. “Enough of this little baby shower.We still have work to do. A single buck isn’t gonna feed thepack.”
David turned around and left in search of the next scenttrail.
“What’s up his ass?”Jerichoasked.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled. “But in any case, he’s right. We should try to get a few more kills before the sun goesdown.”
Tyson and I shifted back to wolf form to join with the rest of the party, and we set out on the huntagain.
* * *
Iwas in high spirits.The hunt went excellently. By the time the sun began to descend behind the trees, we’d bagged four big bucks and a couple wild turkeys. It was a huge success. The meat would feed any needy families in the families and we’d have enough leftover for our own cut of themeat.
Exhausted from a long day’s hunt, we trudged back up the mountainside. We all carried the prey carcasses on our backs, which made the journey even longer, but we were all in such a good mood that nobodycomplained.
“That was such an awesome hunt,” Jericho said. “And by the way, you’re all welcome for all the scent trails Itracked.”
We allgroaned.
“Hey!” Jerichocomplained.
“We appreciate your hard work, just not your gloating,” I told him with asmirk.
“Fairenough.”
Suddenly Jericho stopped. He glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. I watched him in confusion. Why had he stopped? He wasn’t carrying prey on his back, so he couldn’t be taking a break fromthat.
“What’s wrong?” I askedhim.
When he didn’t reply right away, I passed the buck on my back over to Ken for a moment and caught up with Jericho. The fur on the nape of his neck slowly stoodup.
I followed his gaze, but saw nothing this time. Instead of using my eyes, I used my nose. I scented the air deeply, and that was when it hit me. I knew why Jericho hadstopped.
Somewhere in the forest was the scent of a Scarlet Ridgewolf.
“You smell it, too, huh?” Jerichoasked.
“Yeah,” I growled. “I don’t like it. I’m going to find out what itis.”
“I’m coming withyou.”
I didn’t bother telling Jericho not to come; he was stubborn as an ass and I knew he would do it regardless of what I said. Besides, as our best tracker, he would be useful in finding whatever Scarlet Ridge scum was trespassing on ourlands.
“That’s weird,” Jericho mumbled. “The trail zigzags through the woods, like whoever it was didn’t want to be easilyfound.”
