Page 13 of It's Kind of a Bunny Story
“We need to know how many coyotes we are facing,” Copeland added. “And you are going to stay in the cave where it is easier to defend you.”
Both wolves ducked, disappearing into the tunnel. Fletcher and I held our breath until they reappeared. One look at the grim set of their jaws and my stomach plummeted to my toes.
“The smoke makes it hard to pinpoint the exact number of unique scents, but I’m guessing there are nearly thirty coyotes. Possibly more.” Copeland stared back down the tunnel entrance, prepared should anyone try to sneak inside.
“They are too close to risk trying to get Charlee to safety. If they surrounded us, it would be too hard to fight and try to keep her from getting caught in the crossfire.” Linc ran a hand through his hair and cursed. “I’ve already alerted the alpha, and wolves are on the way.”
“I thought the alpha said wolves would patrol near the cave? So, it shouldn’t be long before they arrive, right?” Fletcher asked, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.
“They were, but a wildfire broke out on the far side of the pack lands. It spread so fast that it burned several homes. The full pack is working to put it out and evacuate the rest of the houses in the danger zone.” Linc’s jaw clenched and unclenched.
“It was a setup to draw security away from us,” Fletcher stated the obvious.
“It would seem so. But what the coyotes want with either of you, I don’t know. Nothing about this makes sense,” Copeland muttered.
“I’ll explain later. But this is definitely our burrow’s doing.” Fletcher moved toward the pile of tattered clothing, tossing them aside until he found the shirt I’d worn.
Linc began barking out orders. “I will hold them off at the entrance. Copeland will stand just inside the tunnel, and Fletcher will be the third line of defense.”
I finally found my voice. “More than thirty? And how many coyotes can a wolf take on?”
“You don’t need to worry. We’ll keep you safe.” Copeland turned from watching the tunnel, his eyes glowing.
“How many? I want a realistic answer,” I demanded.
“Around five. It is tough to estimate since it depends on the condition of the wolf and the coyotes. Your guys can probably handle a few more, but to take on that many coyotes, they’ll need the strength of the pack,” Fletcher answered, lifting my shirt and ripping off one sleeve.
All three of our heads snapped in his direction. How could he know that?
“Which means they will severely maim or kill Copeland and Linc before backup can arrive,” Fletcher added as he moved to my side and began rubbing the shirt sleeve all over my body.
“What are you doing?” I batted at his hands and tried to step back. “This is a weird time to try to clean me!”
“Be still!” Fletcher’s barked command shocked me into obeying. He’d never been stern with me. “I’m going to shift, and you are going to rub my fur against your skin. Then you are going to slip this sleeve around my body.”
“But why—” My blood turned to ice as I realized what he was planning. “Fletcher! You can’t! If they catch you?—”
“They won’t. We both know I’m faster.” He placed a tender kiss against my lips. “I’m no help in hand-to-teeth combat, but I can run.”
Stepping away from me, he turned to the wolves. “I’ll run along the ridge and cut back toward the pack house. Tell the pack my plan so I don’t end up a wolf snack. If we’re lucky, some of them will follow my trail, thinking I’m Charlee. That should give you two better odds.”
Respect shone in the wolves’ eyes while tears shimmered in mine.
“Protect her.”
“You have our word.” Linc took Fletcher’s forearm in a warrior’s grip. “Run with the speed of your ancestors, Bunny Boy.”
Linc’s insulting nickname broke through the tension, and Fletcher chuckled.
Without another word, he shifted forms. I quickly kneeled and rubbed his soft fur against my skin. Once the shirt sleeve had been slipped around his body, I held him in front of my face.
“Come back to me, my love.” Touching my nose to his, I set him on the ground and tried not to sob as he darted down the tunnel.
“I’m going to the entrance to listen and get an idea of how many follow him.” Linc disappeared the moment he finished speaking.
Copeland grabbed Fletcher’s shirt and tossed it to me. “Put this on. The more we can mute your scent, the better.”
I pulled it over my head without argument, thankful to be wrapped in my mate’s comforting scent. My insides churned as dizziness made the room spin. Fight to the death or not, my heat wasn’t planning on giving me even a brief intermission from the pain.
