Could it be?
I lowered my nose to the soil, sniffing it. A jolt ran down my spine, making my pelt bristle.
There it was again—Aurum’s scent.
My ferret instincts took over. Despite my cute face and tiny stature, I was a predator. I knew how to hunt.
I backtracked, peered over the ridge, then gasped. In my haste, I hadn’t noticed the dark opening beneath the rock outcrop. Aurum’s scent flooded out of it. The entrance was just small enough for a rabbit, snake, or other small creature to squeeze into.
Maybe even a chubby ferret.
I poked my head into the narrow opening, twitching my whiskers in excitement. I could fit!
I squeezed into the hole. It was pitch-black inside and smelled of cool soil, but Aurum’s scent overpowered it like perfume. I followed my nose instead of my eyes. When my nose bumped against fabric, my heart leapt.
I did it!
Snagging the fabric with my teeth, I dragged it out of the hole. It was just a piece of clothing, but I felt a hunter’s pride at bagging my prey.
“Mylo, there you are.” Poppy’s ears pricked. “Oh! Did you find it?”
My mouth was full, so I nodded.
“Not bad,” Alaric remarked, looking pleased. “I doubt any other shifter would’ve fit in that hole.”
My chest felt warm and fuzzy with satisfaction. Not only did I find Aurum’s shirt, but my new friends were proud of me.
But it wasn’t time to celebrate yet. Saffron’s article was still hidden in the forest somewhere. I had to find it fast.
I stood on my hind legs again to sniff the air, but with Aurum’s shirt in my mouth, his scent flooded my nose. I couldn’t smell anything except his delicious musk.
I dropped the shirt into my paws and looked up at my friends. “Do you guys smell anything?”
They both scented the air. Alaric turned his head to the left. Poppy turned to the right.
“That way,” they said simultaneously.
Alaric sniffed. “Well, we clearly have differing opinions.”
Poppy lowered his head. “Sorry. I thought I smelled it over there.”
“You may be right, wolf,” Alaric conceded. “How about this? The ferret stays here with his prize. We’ll split up and check the forest, then return to you.”
I nodded. “That makes sense. But... you guys would really do that for me?”
Alaric rolled his eyes and slapped me with his feathery tail. “Ugh, please, save the friendship melodrama. Let’s move out.”
“Right,” Poppy agreed.
The two white-furred animals took off in opposite directions. I sat against the rocky outcrop with a sigh, clutching Aurum’s shirt to my chest. It smelled so good and comforting. Even if he wasn’t here, his scent made me feel safe.
As I waited for my friends to return, I closed my eyes and cuddled Aurum’s shirt. Thank gods nobody was around to see.
“Hey.”
I yelped, nearly jumping out of my fur. Every hair on my pelt stood on end as I turned around to see a familiar face behind me.
For a second, my heart lifted. I thought Aurum came to see me. But then recognition settled on me. It wasn’t Aurum, but Saffron.
