Page 39 of Midnight Moon
He breathed deep. Then, without warning, he sprinted west.
I had no energy to even try to catch him.
I was grateful when Chase stayed by my side. We followed Asher’s scent until we found him hovering over a dead deer. I braced myself for a gory sight but was surprised to see there was no blood. Asher must’ve snapped the deer’s neck. If I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought the deer was sleeping.
Chase and Asher shared a look.
Chase grabbed the creature between his teeth, easily lifting the one-hundred-pound animal with his jaws. Unlike Hunter, Chase didn’t let any part of the animal touch the ground.
We began our return journey. Asher took the lead with Chase close behind him.
I trailed after them, ears pricked high, determined to detect any other surprise attacks and feel like I contributed something to this expedition.
Half an hour later, we made it to the forest’s edge without incident.
I’d barely taken two steps onto the grassy clearing when I knew something wasn’t right.
Up ahead, Alpha Kurt and a trio of Badlands shifters waited. They were alone.
My legs locked up.
Alpha Kurt had dismissed all non-competitors from the clearing before the game started, but Hunter should be there. He wouldn’t leave the clearing before I returned. He would’ve waited for me.
Hunter, where are you?
Silence was all that answered.
Dread swirled in my gut.
Pack communications could reach a shifter within fifty miles. Either Hunter had decided to take a trip off Badlands’ territory, or he was unconscious.
A whimper escaped me. The sound drew my allies to a halt.
When they looked at me, I tried to convey my concern. I glanced repeatedly at the Hunter-less group up ahead and the forest behind me.
Neither shifter gave any reaction that they understood my concern.
My nostrils flared. This was a waste of time. I needed to go find Hunter.
Without hesitation, I turned and rushed back towards the forest.
Hang on, Hunter. I’m coming.
I fully expected to go on my rescue mission alone, so I was surprised when I felt a brush of fur along the left side of my body.
I looked over and saw a massive black wolf running at my side.
I shot Asher a questioning look. His response was to face the forest with a determined gleam in his eye.
Before the trees blocked my view, I glanced back at the clearing.
Chase was halfway to Alpha Kurt with the deer. He and Asher would win the game.
It doesn’t matter,I told myself.Finding Hunter is all that matters now.
Urgency fueled me as I ran between the trees, uncaring if I was heard at this point. I continually sniffed the air, praying to pick up Hunter’s scent. Asher kept his stride even with mine though I knew he could go faster.
I wished I could tell him we should split up to cover more ground. Then again, that probably wasn’t a good idea
