“That’s for punching Alex last night,” she said.
Alex caught the transaction while pulling on his pants.
“Women,” Crunch laughed.
You got that right.
Alex joined the two of them and offered a hand for a handshake but instead, Crunch pulled Alex in close and hugged him like a son.
“You do anything to her and I’ll show you how Mutt felt last night,” Crunch whispered in Alex’s ear.
Crunch patted Alex on the shoulder, and ended with a firm grasp before he backed away to join Cynthia.
Message received.
“You know,” she said, “you could always join us on our trip back home. We could use some good wolves in our fight.”
“Fight?” Crunch laughed. “It ain’t our fight. Besides that, I got some business of my own to deal with.”
“We could always help each other,” Alex offered.
“You can’t help with this one,” Crunch replied solemnly, “I gotta put an old dog in his place and get my gang back. It’s been too long that I left them off the chain.”
Alex was confused but he knew there was no amount of talking that would have convinced Crunch to join them.
“Well, the offer is always on the table,” Alex said.
“You’re alright, son,” Crunch chuckled. Scab coughed and Crunch stirred as though he remembered something he’d forgotten. “Scab here told me he saw a bunch of wolves travelling in trucks last night. Headed right past the camp site while you two were off in the woods. Maybe they were searchin’ for you.”
Alex went wide eyed, that must be his father and the Cliff Walker recruits. They survived!
“We better go, right away,” Alex said to Cynthia. He pulled his keys from his pocked and half jogged to the motorcycle. Cynthia lingered with her father and Alex watched on.
“You’ll come visit?” she asked.
“As long as you’ll have me,” he replied.
She again reached out and the two embraced. Cynthia had to brush a tear off her check as she walked away. Crunch looked like he was losing the battle to keep a straight face.
“Shutup Scab,” Crunch said smacking at the air.
Alex already had the motorcycle started as Cynthia saddled up behind him again. Everything was coming together nicely. He kicked the motorcycle to start and eased down the dirt path between the trees. The morning brought with it fresh dew that clung to the air. The fresh smell of the forest was only slightly overpowered by the scent of the thick oil and smoke that poured from the motorcycle.
In light of everything that had happened over the last couple days, the only thing on Alex’s mind was the woman sitting behind him on the bike. Cynthia was everything he could have imagined and more. He couldn’t be more proud that she stood by him. The gray clouds broke and a streak of blue tore its way through, bringing with it the sun’s beaming rays, bathing the abandoned street with new light.
Through the sound of the engine noise, Alex heard a strange rustling. He couldn’t identify exactly what it was. As he listened he slowed the bike to a crawl, then a stop. After turning off the engine he could hear it much more clearly.
“What is it?” Cynthia wondered.
He hushed her and leaned the bike on its stand. With his keen eyes Alex saw something that made his heart sink: a large band of bears.
It can’t be.
They trampled through the forest, with little regard to what was beneath them. Considering the direction in which they moved it would mean they had only one destination, the den.
“This is bad,” Alex said.
Cynthia didn’t have the same heightened senses as Alex when not in wolf form, but it was hard to ignore the sound of rustling branches and stamping feet.
“There’s no way it’s-”
“Bears,” Alex interrupted, “Lots of them. They’re heading for the den.”
Cynthia had to cover her mouth as she gasped. If that many were to attack all at once there was no way they could win. They had to get back to warn everyone before things got messy, at least to get the children away from the den.
They sprinted back through the forest, running as fast as their legs would carry them. As they emerged they were greeted by a familiar sight, an old rusty yellow truck with busted glass and dents to match.
“Dad!” Alex shouted.
The passing truck held his father and another shifter in the passenger seat. The truck came to a screeching halt, causing the trucks following behind to stop just short of crashing.
His dad looked out the passenger window to find the source of the voice, and when he did he leapt from the driver’s seat and hobbled his way over to his son.
Alex was glad to see him again and he felt a bit more at ease knowing they were back with the pack.
“You’re alive! We’ve been searching all over for you” Marcus shouted.
“It takes a lot more than a cliff to kill me,” Alex joked with his father. He no longer held the hesitation he had before. He fully embraced his father and felt closer than he ever had. They released after a moment and his father examined the motorbike.
“Where did you get this,” he asked.
“Don’t ask,” Alex replied with a laugh.
His father lost interest when he saw Cynthia in her biker outfit.
Stop staring before I knock you out old man.
“We passed a biker bar the other night. The place looked like it was attacked by a hurricane. I guess an entire biker gang was dang near torn to shreds by a monster,” his father narrowed his gaze and looked again at the motorbike, “Can you explain that?”
Alex scratched at the top of his head. There was no point trying to keep it from his father. He would have found out soon anyway.
“They attacked Cynthia,” Alex said with a shrug.
“Don’t need more explanation than that. Way I hear they were asking for it anyway. Are you two doing alright?” he wondered.
“Yeah, I think we’re doing okay.”
“Good, we got a couple more hours’ drive before we get home.”
Alex almost forgot what he just saw in the woods and remembered to warn his father.
“We need to drive fast,” he began hurriedly, “there’s an entire forest full of bear shifters headed for the den. We need to get back quick to warn everyone.”
“Right,” his father said. Alex helped him back to the truck.
“Let’s move out!” he shouted to the convoy.
Cynthia found her seat and Alex quickly started the motorcycle again. He was relieved to be back with the group. Seeing those bears made Alex wonder if Samantha was alright. He shook off the thought and twisted the throttle. The bike answered his request by lurching back to the road.
Please be in time.
CHAPTER 18
They arrived to a sleepy morning at the den. The two wolves at the front gate waved through the entire convoy. Alex’s father honked the horn of the truck waking up anyone that wasn’t aware they returned.
Connor appeared on the porch within seconds with Tess behind him, snacking on breakfast.
“Get everyone up,” Marcus shouted.
“What,” Connor asked, “What’s happening?”
“It’s a raid. They’re coming fast. I don’t know how long we have before the bears attack, but it’s big,” Alex said, “really big.”
Connor stood tall and began to bark out orders. It looks like this is what they’ve been preparing for the past two months.
Cynthia ran up to join Tess on the patio.
“We need to get the kids out before the attack, and that includes you and the baby,” she said. Tess nodded and scurried about the farmhouse. Connor looked Cynthia up and down. She held up a hand to stop him. “Seriously, don’t ask.”
Cynthia watched as Connor trotted out to meet with Alex.
“Alex,” he said, “If the bears are as close as you say they are then we’re going to need to buy some time to get as many of these people to safety as we can
.”
“I can help you buy some time,” he replied.
The rest of the camp was in chaos; people running this way and that, the children were being loaded onto the trucks along with any other people unable to fight.
Cynthia didn’t see her grandma anywhere outside. She was already thinking the worst. She pushed through the crowd towards her small house at the edge of the den and pressed the door open.
“You gotta get out of here,” Cynthia said.
She was lying in bed. Cynthia couldn’t tell if she was asleep but was given an answer quickly.
“I’m staying here,” she said.
“Like hell you are,” Cynthia retorted. She walked over to her grandma and tried to pull her from the bed but she didn’t budge.
“This is my home. I’m not running away from it,” she shouted, “I don’t care what it is, I’m not leaving.”
Cynthia got her arms around her grandmother’s waist and lifted her from the bed. She wiggled and tried to break free but Cynthia was much younger and capable.
“This might be your home right now, but I’m not going to let you get yourself killed,” Cynthia said while struggling to keep her grip.
“Fine, just get your hands off me,” she said, pushing Cynthia away.
Cynthia backed off. Her grandmother straightened her hair and caught her breath. Cynthia’s mouth started moving before her brain could catch up.
“I met him,” she said.
“Who?” her grandma asked.
As she said the word, she realized who Cynthia meant.
“So, you finally met him,” she exhaled, “What did he tell you?”
“He told me enough,” she replied.
Cynthia stood in the center of her room with her hands on her waist.
“Listen, I wanted to let you meet him but I didn’t want you to get involved with bikers,” she said, “I lost your mother to those ruffians and I wasn’t about to let my granddaughter do the same.”
Cynthia rubbed her temple to press away the frustration that was building up in her head.
“That’s not your decision to make. You should have let me meet him,” Cynthia said.
“And what? Have you run off and join some biker band? Let you get passed around a bunch of dogs until you’re used up and thrown out?” she questioned angrily, “no, my granddaughter isn’t going to grow up to be like her mother. You need to do something better with your life.”
You frustrating old woman!
Cynthia felt the tears gathering in her eyes.
“You didn’t know what he was like before. When your mother came back she came back for a reason. He was a violent, outspoken man that ordered her around like a slave. He did come a few times, and every time he came he clashed with the pack alpha. They got in more than a few fights and after the last one I decided it was enough.”
“Okay, this isn’t the time to talk about this. We need to evacuate with everyone else before the fighting starts,” Cynthia sighed with frustration. She pressed a tear away from the corner of her eye and turned to leave but was stopped at the door.
“I’m sorry,” her grandma said.
Cynthia lingered a moment. Would chiding her grandmother further really accomplish anything? She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Just get ready to leave,” she said.
That said, she left the small house.
Across town she saw Alex and Connor sprint off before everyone else. She worried for him. Even his new abilities as a primal probably wouldn’t protect him from the onslaught that was coming.
Come back to me, you promise?
Cynthia joined the convoy that was loaded with all the children and women unable to fight. She eased into the driver’s seat of the old yellow truck and brought it to life. Tess slammed the passenger door shut beside her and without a word they began their journey to safety.
CHAPTER 19
All was quiet for Alex and Connor. The eerie silence was almost too much for either of them to bear. They sat still beside the crossroad that led into their den, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.
Well, this is awkward.
“How’s Tess?” Alex wondered.
“She’s bored of being stuck in the house. I feel like I’ve spent more time hunting food for her cravings than I have protecting the pack,” Connor snickered.
Alex laughed nervously; he needed something to help him feel normal. His heart was pounding in his chest and as much as he wanted to shift, he wasn’t sure he would enjoy the silence and the waiting.
“How’s your girlie?” Connor asked in kind.
Alex caught himself smiling.
“She’s good,” he replied.
“Good?” Connor said, “That’s all you got? You could give me something here.”
“Okay, okay,” Alex added, “She’s amazing, hell, she’s the reason I’m here ready to take on these bears. I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Plus, if I don’t, her father would find me and tear my head off.”
Connor looked at him with disbelief.
“Long story.”
The ground shook beneath them. From behind they heard the trucks heading their way. Alex tore off the clothing he wore, Connor did the same.
Alex’s shift felt different this time. Where before he had to force his body to respond, accompanied by cracking bones and torn muscles, this felt as though pulling on a warm jacket; it was comfortable and relaxing. His arms stretched to their new length and his body doubled over, landing him on all fours. The thick black fur still covered him and he thought it felt… different.
“Alex?” Connor asked.
Alex growled, positioning himself in the middle of the road. What he felt wasn’t fear but excitement. He’d never felt so invigorated in his life. He was ready to hunt.
Hunt.
Connor joined him, standing much taller than Alex. New scars covered Connor’s body, scars Alex knew he earned from all the fighting the last couple months.
As the trucks roared past the duo, Alex saw Cynthia in the lead car and gave her a nod. She smiled back and howled in the car when she saw him in his true shape. The small convoy trundled past but as they did, Alex watched the bears press through the forest, bringing with them an earthquake of motion.
Connor growled and Alex was invigorated beside him. The first of the bears pressed through the tree line and began their assault. The cars were nearly past so they wouldn’t need to hold for long, but the two wolves longed for a good fight.
Row after row of bear spread from the forest until the entire road teemed with fur. Alex howled and charged into the group of bears without a single shred of fear. This was his chance, he would defend his girl and his pack with all he had. Connor stayed beside him, not wanting to be shown up.
Alex dodged the first of a trio of powerful blows. Just like in the bar, everything seemed to move in slow motion. It felt like child’s play.
Hunt. Kill.
He lashed out with his fangs and crunched at the neck of the lead bear. His powerful bite drew vital life blood and it fell to the street.
Connor latched himself to the first beast ahead of him, pressing it back with all his might and slowing their assault. His jaws barked and ripped at the air while the bear tried to hold him away but to no avail. Connor’s mouth found the bear’s shoulder and its blood dripped into his mouth, further driving his bloodlust.
Alex dashed between the bears, dodging blow after blow. His teeth sunk into their flanks and stomachs. Tufts of fur filled the air as he continued his deadly assault. Eventually a mighty paw found his muzzle and knocked him back toward Connor.
As valiantly as they fought, Connor and Alex wouldn’t be able to hold them all at bay – there were far too many. Connor barked and snapped at the aggressive bears. He was a flurry, ripping at anything that got in his way. Even when the overwhelming strikes from the bears should have knocked him from his feet, he continued to attack.
Allies arrived from the den; more wolves to join
the fight. They had loved ones to protect and they wouldn’t be denied the chance. The new wolves rallied around Connor and supported him while Alex struck at their flank.
Still, the bears were gaining ground. Alex fought with Cynthia’s safety in mind, but no matter how many bears he tore into, there was no end to them.
Connor howled at the pack and together they retreated to the den. Any further fighting on the road would cause them to be surrounded.
Alex dashed with his newfound speed and forced himself into the middle of the advancing bears to cover their retreat. Their jaws dug into his side and their strikes tore him to the bone but still he fought. Blood poured from his snout but adrenaline surged through his body and he fought on.
With the rest of the wolves evacuated to the den, Connor howled, informing Alex of their escape. Alex readied himself to leave as quickly as he could but found it difficult. His speed gave him an edge but it wasn’t enough. He needed to go faster, like when he dodged the shotgun in the bar. Where was that speed?
Faster.
The largest of the bears appeared on the battlefield, stomping a whole head taller than the grizzlies they’d fought so far. They were the brutish bears that attacked Alex near the Cliff Walker den. They brought with them a new ferocity that even Alex couldn’t match, going so far as to push the smaller bears out of their way.
Alex managed to get clear of the bears and joined Connor, panting heavily. There was no clear end to the battle in sight. Connor and Alex exchanged glances and returned to the fray with Connor launching himself into the chest of one of the brutes. It reared back and roared, falling to its side but Connor didn’t let up. He continued to sink his teeth deeper into the fur of the beast.
Alex leapt over his brothers and onto the back of another brown bear, tearing a gash in its arm, a large enough wound that caused the bear to shake off limp backwards to escape. As Alex planted his feet on the ground he received another downward swipe from a standing bear that pummeled him into the dirt. His accumulated wounds were taking their toll. Even with his new strength and agility, he was no match for their numbers. As the bear readied another strike to finally end Alex, a bolt of silvery fur leapt out, his father wrestled his would be slayer to the ground, saving Alex’s life.
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