Morgan.
ButonlyMorgan’s scent, which would make sense if they’ve separated them. We’ve not seen a soul in the forest so far, so I take a chance and shift back. Jet and Cal do the same.
“Thoughts?” I whisper as loud as I dare.
“I don’t like it.” Jet frowns. “Why only Morgan’s?”
I voice my theory about them being separated, but Cal shoots it down.
“That’d take twice the numbers to guard them.” He closes his eyes and inhales. “It’s so faint. Like...” When he opens his eyes, he’s frowning. “Like he ran through the forest brushing up against things. Or someone did it for him.”
“You think Birch left us a scent trail?” Would he be that obvious?
Cal shrugs. “I think we assume he knows about Beth’s phone and that we’re gonna come for them. And he’ll also know we’ll think it’s a trap. What’s he got to lose by leading us right to him? It’s not like we’re not going to follow it?” He raises his eyebrow as if to add,Right?
I’m pretty sure what he said makes sense, but I’m struggling to think with Morgan’s scent on the air. Doesn’t matter if its faint or not, it’sthere.A tease to my heightened senses and it’s messing with my head. “Of course we’re gonna follow it.” As for the rest of it? I guess we’re expecting Birch and his pack to be waiting at the other end.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Cal reminds me as we dress and set off in human form. It’s a risk, our senses aren’t as sharp like this, but one I’m willing to take. Something tells me we’re going to need the ability to talk.
Without our base animal instincts to fall back on, it’s slow going. Every step needs that extra bit of caution.
Stay down wind.
Watch where we walk.
Scan the forest for any sign of FBs.
It’s fucking exhausting.
Even with the heat of the day fading, a sheen of sweat coats my skin. Cal and Jet aren’t doing much better.Goddesshelp us, we’re a flashing beacon of scents for anyone close by.
It feels like we’ve been walking for hours, even though I know it’s been less than thirty minutes since we shifted back, when Cal grips my shoulder.
He holds his phone out and taps the screen, showing me the message.
Our backup is about twenty minutes away from where we stashed our bikes. I’m about to respond when Jet taps my arm and points up ahead. In the fading light, Jet’s vision is sharper than either mine or Cal’s. I strain to see what he sees, but there’s nothing but trees.
When I shake my head, he grabs Cal’s phone and types out a message.
Group of people up ahead.
The wind must’ve changed because I can’t smell anything but us and the surrounding forest. I can’t fucking see anything either, but Jet’s grip tightens when I go to move closer.
He shakes his head, and I bare my teeth.
I’m two seconds away from shoving him off when I hear it.
“Call for him,” Birch orders, not even trying to keep his voice down.
“No,” Morgan snaps. My hands curl into fists at the fear and rage held in that one word.
“Do it,” Birch hisses. “Or you won’t like what comes next.”
Murmured voices follow, I can’t make out the words, but I’d recognise Beth and Flint anywhere. And I’d bet my life they’re telling Birch I’m going to kill him when I get my hands on him.
Because I am.
He yells at Morgan again, but he must refuse because Birch growls in frustration.
