The surrounding forest ended, but the drive continued another hundred feet to an unofficial campsite with remnants of a bonfire. Past the bonfire was the edge of a cliff leading to the sheer bluff face that looked out over Blue River and much of Serenity. A single concrete bunker hung over the edge of the bluff, with metal stairs leading both inside, and on top.
Canyon parked near the campsite. They all got out, and Timber lifted Wulf to the ground. Canyon took Sage’s hand. “Want to patrol with me?”
She smiled at him, nodding enthusiastically, her braids bouncing prettily.
“I’ll set up camp,” Timber said.
Canyon grunted affirmative. The air was getting chilly quickly. He dug his SPD jacket out of the back and offered it to Sage. She pulled it on. It was several sizes too big on her and made her look adorable. He touched his forehead to hers and they stayed that way for a moment, until Canyon took her hand and picked a trail. He led her down it, checking the compass in his head automatically.
“Is your family looking for you?” he asked.
“My aunts know I'm with you. Abigail—I have no idea what she knows or thinks.”
Her scent grew thick, as she spoke. Canyon thought she might be holding something back, but it didn't bother him. She had a right to reticence. They walked in silence, the forest quiet around them. They walked quietly, Sage looking every which way, Canyon using his nose. There had been no people up here for weeks.
His thoughts went to Conri.The bear.
“Did you…” he asked, not wanting to be scary, but needing to ask. If she’d slept with Conri… he would hunt Conri down and… and what? Fight him? Kill him? Canyon struggled with his urges, until he realized his wolf was not involved, and his wolf had no fight with Conri. The realization calmed him, and he was able to finish the question. “… have sex with Conri?”
She didn’t answer, didn’t even look at him, and that made him think she had. Dark fantasies filled his mind.He knew where Conri lived.
“I don't think so,” Sage said, her tone light. “It was never that serious, but there was an incident. We woke up in bed and thought we were roofied. Neither of us felt like we’d… done anything but still… it was unsettling.” She peeked at him, eyes pleading, saying, “Now that Conri bit Eventine… I bet Abigail made it happen somehow.”
Canyon growled, anger overflowing. “That shit ain’t right. The witch needs to be stopped.”
“She does,” Sage said, her voice hard and sad at the same time.
“Is it possible?”
“I don't know,” she said, her tone filling with weight. “She’s strong, and secretive. I don’t know why she’s doing this.”
“She doesn’t want us together,” Canyon said, knowing in his gut it was the right answer. “She doesn’t want you with thevod.”
Sage looked out over the forest, her expression grim. They walked in silence, until they’d fully circled the campsite, then they returned. Timber had a hand-washing station, a grill, a tent, and three camping chairs set up, plus a fire going.
“Stake out?” Timber yelled across the campsite, shaking his head, saying. “Noooo.” He speared a thick steak on a grilling fork and held it up “Steak out?!”
“Yes!” Canyon shouted, his mouth watering.
Sage looked at him and he couldn’t read her expression. He squeezed her hand and pulled her to the chairs. They sat, facing the fire and holding hands. Timber left the grill and sat beside them, while Wulf was dark and quiet near a rear truck tire.
Timber put his hands behind his head and kicked his feet out, settling them on a tree stump. “This is the life.”
Sage smiled. Canyon had to agree. It did feel good to be outside, on top of the bluff, miles away from civilization, just the four of them.
Timber pointed to his left. “When my mate slaps me in the face and falls into my arms, we’ll all come back up here, and her chair’ll go right here.”
Canyon rubbed his jaw where Sage had hit him. “Still stings,” he said, glancing at Sage.
She laughed. “You said it didn’t hurt.”
He moved his jaw around. “The pain comes and goes.”
“Willow shoulda been my mate,” Timber said. “Because of the tree name. You know I woulda been knocking her over plenty.” He put a hand to his mouth and yelled, “Tiiimmmmbeeerrrrrrr.”
Canyon grunted. “Better not say that around Bruin.”
Timber slowly leaned in his chair, demonstrating. “He might be a 1500-pound bear, but even he can’t fight the law of gravity.”
