The black wolf edged to their nine o’clock. He and the one to their three were flanking them.
“We need someone on our nine.”
“Not more,” Amy cried.
“I got it,” Heath said, handing Joel his flashlight. He grabbed his avalanche shovel and headed for the infringing wolf.
“They think we’re attacking their den. Everyone shift north. We’ll go in the back door of the lodge. Maybe that will show them we mean them no harm.”
Everyone did as instructed. The black wolf pawed at the ground near Heath.
Heath held the shovel positioned to swing.
“Don’t make a move unless they do,” Joel said. “They’re just testing us out.”
“Whatever.” Heath sniffed. “I got this.”
Heath was the last person they should have put on the line, far too brash. But it was done now.
Joel swallowed, his throat parched. They were surrounded—one behind, two flanking, and the den somewhere ahead. One, at the least, had to be protecting the den and could come at them anytime—encircling them.
He raised his hand to still everyone. Some took longer than others to comply, but soon they all stood fixed in place, the wolves growling but not advancing—at least not yet.
The large black one shifted forward, and Heath swung at it with the shovel. The wolf yelped as the shovel hit its side, then it lunged forward.
“Run!” Heath panicked, turning his back on the wolf.
“No!” Joel screamed, but it was too late. Everyone, save Jayce and Devon, who still held their shovels, raced for the lodge,Amy and Savannah tumbling down the hill.
The black wolf lunged forward with a guttural howl, the others howled in return—their calls echoing in the canyon the lodge nestled in.
Joel glanced at Cassie—her eyes wide. “Nearly there,” he assured her.
Snow flew in their wake as they walked, slid, and skidded their way down the slope. The front group reached the lodge, and Joel leapt for the back porch.
“Easy now,” Brady said, steadying his grip on the gurney.
“Sorry.” Joel reached for the rear door handles. Padlocked.No!
“Let’s try the side,” Brady suggested.
They followed the porch around to the sound of howling wolves and grunts from Jayce and Devon echoing through the hollow.
Joel shifted his full focus to getting inside rather than the commotion behind them. Once Cassie was safely inside, he’d go back to help.
Reaching the side door, they found no padlock.
Thank you,Lord. He turned the handle.Locked. He lifted his exhausted right leg and kicked in the door.Safety. Shelter. Finally. Now he prayed for much needed supplies, but first, “I need to get back out there to help. Who can stay with Cassie?”
“Iz and I will,” Talbot offered.
He clapped Talbot’s shoulder, the contact paining his half-numb hand. “Thanks.”
“We’ve got her. Go on.”
He headed out as Heath passed him, dodging into the lodge and slamming the door, his face stricken in panic. Heart of a lion, that one.
Joel rushed back to the melee.
