by Willow Cross
Shad wove his way through and around bar patrons. With forty occupants, the place had nearly reached capacity. Once outside, he searched the lot for Sarah. He went to the truck to look for a note, but there was no sign of her there. Wherever she was, she didn’t want to be found. Not by him anyhow. He slipped into the truck and revved the engine. Waiting a few moments more, he finally gave up and drove onto the road.
It was a long tedious drive home. His eyes darted back and forth, searching the tree line on both sides hoping to find her. Every so often, he thought he could make out a dark shadow in the trees following along beside him. Each time he’d catch a glimpse, the shadow would disappear. Shad rubbed his tired eyes and continued searching, hoping wherever she was, she was not in harm's way. The growing dark clouds broke open with a thunderous crash. As rain pummeled the windshield, his worry turned to fear.
***
Sarah watched from the trees as Shad exited the building. She saw him walk around the parked cars, sometimes bending to look underneath. He went to the truck, looked it over, and stepped inside. After the engine revved and he pulled onto the road, she followed.
Keeping up with him was no problem. He was only going 40 mph and in her wolf form that was akin to a brisk walk. Sarah hated leaving her clothes behind. She didn’t have many anyhow, but she didn’t have much choice either. She was not about to go back in the bar, and riding home with him wasn’t an option.
As she ran through the trees, her thick coat protected her from slashing branches and bushes. A few times, he slowed and peered into the woods. Sarah quickly fell back further into the trees. As night fell and the storm progressed, it was easier to cross the open intersections without being seen.
Halfway home, Jason’s voice entered her mind. “Where are you?”
“On my way home.”
“What’s wrong? Why have you shifted?”
“I’ve got it handled.”
“Sarah?” Pete’s voice slipped in.
“I’ll be home after awhile. I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Sarah felt Jason push his way into her head. She felt his anger as he read her recent memories. Suddenly, from seemingly everywhere, howls went off inside her head. She felt her pack shift and transform. Anger crowded their minds and emotions. Pete’s rage boiled over as she felt him running to meet her, protection mode in overdrive. Jason was on his heels, leaving from a different location. The only clansman she couldn’t feel was Thomas. His mind remained closed to her. In her heightened state of perception, worry consumed her. “What is he doing? Why can’t I feel him?”
“We are coming.” The pack, working as a hive mind, was on its way to protect their Alpha.
Chapter Eighteen
Thirty miles from home, a small red sports car had stopped across the intersection blocking the road. As Shad pulled up, a tall thin man exited the car. He bent over and pulled out a twelve-gauge shotgun. Shad leaned over, popped open the glove box, and removed 44 Magnum. Slipping it in the small of his back, he also exited his vehicle, leaving his hand behind his back on the gun. “What seems to be the trouble here?”
The man leveled the shotgun at Shad’s head. “Where’s my niece?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m alone.” Shad answered, slowly pulling the gun from his waistband.
Thomas' voice was cold and filled with anger. “I know who you are. I’ve been tellin them who you are from the beginning. I don’t want to start a war with you, but if you’ve hurt her, I’ll drop you where you stand.”
“Look, old timer, you’ve got me confused with someone else. My name is Miguel Garcia. I don’t know your niece. I don’t date white girls.” Shad moved his arm directly to his side.
Thomas, using the gun, motioned for Shad to step away from his truck. “Get on over there. I want to have a look and see if she’s in there.”
“Don’t you think she’d get out if she was?” Shad scoffed.
“If she was conscious.”
Shad took several steps to the left and stood on the lip of the road.
Without taking his eyes from the younger man’s face, Thomas moved to the driver’s side door. “Why don’t you just have a seat and let me look your truck over.”
“Look, if you want money…”
“Your act ain't fooling no one, boy. You can drop it.”
Thomas quickly peered into the window.
“Okay, mister, put the gun down.” Shad aimed his 44 directly at Thomas’ head.
Thomas spit to the side. Tobacco juice ran down the window of the truck. “Never could trust an Indian.”
“I said put the gun down. I’ll shoot you if I have too.”
Thomas laughed and spit again. “That gun got silver bullets? Of course it does. What am I thinking? That’s what you’re here for.”
Sarah watched in horror. She couldn’t feel Uncle Thom because he’d never shifted. The pack was close now, any minute they’d arrive. “Stop! Everyone stay where you are.” Sarah called out. In unison, she felt them slow before stopping in their tracks. All except for Jason, he was still coming full force right at them. “Jason, please, he‘s got a--”
“I can see it. Shut up.”
Sarah leapt from the trees with a mighty growl and landed in front of the truck.
Not knowing which one was more dangerous, Shad began moving the gun back and forth between her and Thomas.
Sarah moved lithely between the two, facing Shad. She whimpered.
His face became drawn and white. He looked into her eyes as she whined.
Sarah moved her head from side to side.
“Guess you’re out numbered, boy. You might get one of us but you won’t get both.”
Jason appeared, running full-speed, he leapt over the red car and landed right beside Sarah. He didn’t utter a sound. Just stood in his enormity, staring at Shad.
Shad’s gaze moved between Sarah and Jason. “I don’t want to hurt you. I-I…you’re my friends. I’m trying to make them understand. Can’t you see that?”
“I don’t believe him.” Jason’s head turned to Sarah.
“No!” Pete screamed in their minds.
“Hush.” Sarah answered. Then turning her back on Shad, she looked at Thom and let out a short bark.
“You have got to be kidding me.” He said. Thom glared at Shad, but lowered his gun.
Sarah turned around and barked once.
“That’s good. That’s fine. But promise me you’ll let me explain.” He said as he brought his gun to his side.
Sarah brought her head down and whimpered.
Jason moved his head from Shad to the truck and growled.
Thomas stepped away and Shad slowly made his way to the truck door.
Sarah maneuvered her body to stay between them. After he was inside, she backed away.
“You kids are crazy. You’ll be the death of us if you keep this up.” Thomas said as he walked to his car. “You can run home. I’m not getting wet hair all over my leather seats.”
Jason barked once as he entered his car. Thomas put it in reverse, backed up, turned around, and drove away.
Shad rolled down his tobacco-stained window. “Tomorrow then? I want to meet with both of you tomorrow and explain this.”
Sarah barked and Shad pulled away.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Jason said.
“Me too.”
Before they reached the trees, gunshots rang out through the now quiet night. Bullets whizzed past their heads. Sarah let out a yelp as one grazed her hip, sending fire through her body. Instantly the pack began running toward the Alphas. The trees offered no cover. Whoever was shooting at them, hid in the woods surrounding the road. One shooter jumped from behind a tree in front of them. Without thinking, Jason plowed into him ripping out his throat as he fell. Blood splattered all over, but the two continued running. From behind them, they heard voices yelling. Someone screamed out in pain as one of the clansman took them down. Bullets zipping through
the trees made thunking noises as they exploded into tree trunks.
They reached a small clearing. Sarah’s left flank had gone numb causing her to limp. She slowed as the leg gave out altogether. Pete was at her side then, growling and walking circles around her. “I can’t go on. I have to stop.”
“You must. There are too many. They’re all over!”
Ruby screamed in agony as a bullet pierced her heart. Sarah felt her drop as her life force left her body. “No! Run. Everyone get away from here.”
Sarah heard a thud land close by and felt Jason falter. His pain seared through her. She stumbled as she tried to reach him and fell unconscious to the ground.
Pete’s rage overwhelmed him. Crazed by the sight of Sarah’s blood, he stood over her snarling, ready to kill anyone that came too close. Jason sent out a call to the pack telling them to take out the shooters. Pete growled as Jason moved toward his sister.
“Settle down.”
Pete’s mind was a mass of boiling emotion that collided with Jason’s thoughts.
“I said settle. Look at me.”
Pete looked into his eyes, saliva dripped from his barred teeth.
“Get hold of yourself. I need you with me not against me.” Jason felt him struggle to regain control. “That’s it. Calm down. Think with your head.”
“Sorry. I-I…”
“I know. I feel it.”
The sounds of gunfire ceased. A few more screams echoed through woods before it became silent. The uninjured searched the surrounding forest for survivors. Either they got them all or they had escaped. Wolves were the only living things left in that part of the forest.
***
“We have to clean up the bodies.” Dave said.
“I wish I knew where Thom was. Why can’t he feel us?”
“Thomas’ been Alpha. He knows how to keep his mind shut. You’ll learn that too as you go on. It don’t do for the Alpha’s thoughts to be broadcasted all over.” Dave answered.
Jason sniffed at Sarah. She was still breathing but unconscious. Her blood-soaked left flank twitched uncontrollably. The bullet must still be in the wound.
“We have to get rid of the bodies, Jason. We can’t leave them out here to be found.” Dave repeated.
“Clean them up then and search for their vehicles. They couldn’t have gotten here on foot.”
“Then what?”
“Put the bodies in the cars however many there are. Some can shift and drive them back to the canyon. We’ll burn them there and drop them into the quarry.”
“Good idea. No one ever goes out there.” Dave ran into the woods, relaying orders and organizing the pack.
“Someone get me a damn car. I need to get my sister home.” Jason called out to no one in particular.
Chapter Nineteen
A knocking sound woke Jason from his sleep. “Yes,” he croaked.
“It’s Sarah, you better get in here.” Pete’s worried voice came through the door.
Jason jumped out of bed and headed down the hallway. Entering her room, he saw his sister, pale, covered in sweat, and thrashing around on the bed. He went to her and placed his hand on her forehead. She was burning up.
“It’s the silver. Damn Indians got smart. Instead of solid silver bullets, they are coating them with silver flake. I removed the bullet, but there’s no way to remove all those flakes. I've lanced the wound many times, and even though it continues to regenerate, too much time has passed. The poison moves freely throughout her system.” Said an old woman standing in the doorway.
Jason glanced at her. Shriveled and hunchbacked, she looked a hundred years old.
The old woman cackled. “Yep, pert near close. Phaedra is the name.”
Shocked, Jason stammered, “I thought you were dead.”
“Nope, not dead. Just MIA. I keep house way up in the hills. Don’t care much for people anymore. But I’m a good pup. I come when I’m called,” she said looking at Pete.
“She’s the best healer in the pack. I figured if anyone could help Sarah, it would be her.”
“Thank you.” Jason said, brushing the hair away from his sister’s face. “What now? What can we do?”
“Well, we have a few right now with the same problem. Silver poisoning is hard to combat. Those that are young should pull through it. Those that ain't…well, not much hope for them I reckon.”
Jason felt something wet drop on his hand.
Phaedra stood over him with a dripping cold cloth. “Keep that on her head and this one needs to sleep. He’s been up all night with her.”
Jason nodded, thanked her again, and told Pete to go to bed. As he was leaving, Jason asked, “Any word from my Uncle?”
Pete’s face clouded with misery. “Not a peep. This isn’t like him, Jase. Something’s wrong.”
“I agree. Tell the others to send out the hunters. We need to find him.”
“Will do.”
“Pete?”
Pete turned, leaving his hand on the doorknob.
“We need to find him, yesterday. Don’t let ‘em waste any time.”
“We know that Jason. He was ours long before he was yours.” Pete quietly shut the door as he left the room.
***
A methodical thud resonated throughout the house as Shad beat on the heavy punching bag in the weight room. Ashley sat a fresh cup of coffee on the kitchen table in front of her grandfather.
“How long is he gonna do that? It’s annoying as hell.” Heather, leaned back in her chair with one foot propped on the table, took another sip from her cup.
The old man eyed the girl. “Get your foot off the table and try to pretend you’re a lady.”
Heather laughed and placed her foot on the floor. “I thought you needed a cold-blooded killer not a lady.”
The old man chuckled and shook his head.
Ashley placed a hand on his shoulder. “Gramps, should I try to talk to him?”
“No. Leave him be. He’ll get it sorted. Too bad he fell for her; I thought I taught him better than that.”
“I can’t speak for the rest of them, but I know Jason and Sarah are not like the others.” Ashley said.
“Makes no difference now, girl. People are missing, probably dead. Now it’s war.” He looked up at the young girl’s sad face. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, Ash, but this is the life you were born to. We have a duty to the tribe. They drew first blood.”
“But they didn’t! That idiot, Greg, shot off too soon. None of that would have happened if he hadn’t done that. Everyone was leaving, Gramps. Everyone was fine.”
The old man’s eyes narrowed as he glared at her. “Like I said, makes no difference now. What’s done is done.”
“I told ‘em, Gramps. I told them not to get attached to dogs.” Heather interjected.
“Shut your mouth, girl. You ain't helping any.” He took another sip of his coffee, then setting it hard on the table, said, “What’s an old man got to do around here for some breakfast?”
Ashley threw the dish towel she was holding on the table and stomped away.
In sickeningly sweet voice, Heather said, “How about some cereal, Grampy? Or I can make you some toast if you’d like?”
***
Ashley watched Shad from the door. His agility was remarkable. One after the other, his fists hit the big red bag, pounding out his sorrows. She wasn’t a mind reader, but she didn’t need to be with her little brother. Kindred hearts is what her mother had called it. Although he wasn’t her twin, they were more alike on the inside than should have been possible.
Sweat poured from him. His shirtless torso glistened with it. Ashley knew before it ever happened that Sarah would fall for him. It would take one cold-hearted girl to resist his good looks and charm. Shad’s repetitious punching had slowed. Now, each punch caused the bag to swing away from him in a wide arc. He’d wait for its return and slam his fist in to it again. After a few moments, she moved into the room. “You gonna do that all day?”
>
Shad glanced in her direction. “Maybe.”
“Help much?” She sat on the weight bench behind him.
“Nope.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Might help.”
“Can’t…see…how.” He grabbed the swinging bag to stop it. Breathing heavily, he grabbed his bottled water, gulped down half, and dumped the remainder over his head.
“Hey! Careful with that.” Ashley said, wiping droplets from her face and legs.
“Sorry. Hot.”
She waited for his panting to slow. When he started breathing normally, she patted the seat beside her. “Sit.”
“Told ya, don’t want to talk.” Shad said as he stepped on the treadmill. Flipping it on, he began a slow jog.
“Killing yourself with exercise isn’t going to fix anything.”
“Nothing to fix. I’m good.”
Ashley scratched her head. “Oh really? You’re good, huh? Well Mr. You’re Good--I’m not good, and I need to talk to someone that has a brain in their head, and a heart in their chest. You aren’t the only one around here that has a problem with this.”
Shad, watching his feet move on the belt, reached out and flipped the off button. “Okay, talk.”
“Come here and sit down.”
Sighing deeply, and still looking at the floor, he moved over and took a seat beside her.
“Ewww. You’re all wet.”
Shad stood and plopped on the floor looking up at her.
“That’s better.”
He stared at her expectantly, but remained silent.
Ashley sighed. “Conversations generally go better when more than one person is talking.”
“You said you need to talk. I don’t need to talk. I’m just here to listen.”
“Fine. We need to figure something out. One of us needs to meet with them. We have to convince them to leave the pack and get far away.”
Shad’s eyes grew wide. “What makes you think they’d talk to us now? We don’t even know if they’re alive!”
Irritated, her anger began to rise. “Don’t you say that. I’d know if Jason was hurt. I’d feel it in my heart. What’s the matter with you? How can you think like that?”
