Thankfully for us, though, elks, deer, and bears were intrepid and braved the uneven terrain, providing us with glorious chases. Although I’d personally never attacked an animal larger than a bunny, I’d participated in hunts, guiding the animal we sought to its final destination, which was often my fearless brother Niall and his quick-pawed friends.
Howls erupted, signaling large prey. The wolves around me flew off like launched arrows, but I stayed put, reveling in the feel of the brisk air, of the rise and fall of the rough terrain, of the crisp scents of unsullied nature.
How’s your leg, honey?my mother broke away from her group of friends and fell into stride beside me.
Stiff.
Since I neither wanted to worry her nor wanted to be sent home, I answered,Great.
She stared at me a long while, undoubtedly seeing right through my lie.Well, if it hurts, atanypoint, you tell me and I’ll walk back with you, all right?
I nodded. After another half hour of trotting, the deep snow and muscular strain began to take a toll. However much I didn’t want to show signs of weakening, I’d pay for stubbornly pushing through the pain, so I slowed to a walk.
You’re limping.
Liam’s voice made my step falter. I cranked my neck high and scanned the mountainside until I located him, towering from a rocky ridge. He stood so close to the edge that images of him toppling pebbled the skin beneath my two-toned coat. Sure, his vantage point gave him an unobstructed view on his vast pack, but none of us, no matter how magical our blood or how high our station, was invulnerable.
I didn’t want him to fall before his time. It didn’t help that I kept imagining one of the enormous wolves standing vigil behind him lunging forward and bumping him in order to steal his coveted spot, but a quick sweep of their faces told me they were all OBs, who’d sooner sacrifice themselves for their Alpha than doom him.
How’s the view from up there?I called up.
Beautiful.
Adalyn yipped out my name, startling me. She’d swung around, her tail wagging as she waited for me to catch up. I took a few steps, trying not to drag my hind leg, but it dragged. Disobedient limb.
She sighed when I approached.Hun, your leg . . .
My leg’s fine.
Clearly.She nodded to the straight line in the snow, next to my three paw prints.Let’s head back.
Not yet.
Had my friend been in skin, her hands would’ve been perched on her hips.It’ll just get worse, not to mention we have a lot of ground to travel to get back to the bunker.
It’s not even midnight.
You won’t be able to walk tomorrow.
Good thing I don’t have anywhere to go.
Nik . . .
Fine.I huffed, my breath leaving my mouth in a compact cloud.I’ll head back, but I’m not spoiling your run, so I’ll go home alone.
A brown wolf approached, ears folded, tail tucked between her hind legs, violet eyes lidded.I’ll go with you, Nikki. I’ve had enough excitement for one night.Lori’s posture spoke of something far different than excitement. Had someone bullied her?
I wanted to ask if she was okay but decided to store the question for when we weren’t hemmed in by so many wolves. Would she tell me the truth, though? We weren’t much to each other. Nothing really. Mere packmates.
Adalyn’s gaze scrolled over the leg I’d hiked up to keep my weight off it.Will you be able to even make it back?
I plopped my paw down, trying my darndest not to wince.Yes.
Matt was on his way home. His girlfriend wasn’t too happy to be third wheel to Sarah and Lucas.Liam swaggered toward our little huddle, followed by a monstrous yellow wolf and a few other equally large specimens. All males.
Females were smaller and nimbler; males larger and stronger. Except Alpha females. Not that there were any more of those in the world. As far as I knew, Cassandra had been the first and only one.
Dexter shouldered past his cousin, his blue-gray gaze seeming all the more luminous set against his deep-brown fur.I’ll escort them back, too. In case Nikki’s leg gives her trouble, and she needs a ride.
