Less than five hours after laying the nameless girl to rest, Duncan and Senka arrived at the temporary camp some of the Shifters had set up near the border. It had taken Senka several hours of flashing to carry them over what would normally have been a two day journey. And though she would never admit to it, Duncan knew she had to be exhausted, both mentally and physically.
Certain there was no way she would be able to maintain the grueling pace at which she had been pushing herself over the last forty-eight hours and needing her in top form when they crossed, Duncan commanded his men to refuse to give her any information or directions until she had eaten and rested for a couple of hours. Needless to say, Senka went ballistic when she figured out what was going on. All of five and a half feet tall, she stood toe to toe against the five men, each one easily over a foot taller and a hundred pounds her better, calling them all cowards and accusing them of extortion. At one point she even went as far as to threaten to go in alone, saying she didn’t need the help of a bunch of “pups.”
Duncan however, knowing her powers were useless in the unfamiliar lands and that there was no possible way she could navigate the thick forest on her own, called her bluff. Just as he suspected her threats were empty, and eventually she surrendered just like he suspected she would.
“Girl looked none too happy boss.” Recognizing Ignacio’s distinct thick accent, Duncan pulled his attention from the map he was studying and watched as the wolf stepped inside his tent holding a beer bottle in each hand. “You sure you wanna take her? She gonna give you hell, I gar-un-tee.”
With a chuckle, Duncan turned his attention to the document laid out before him. “Would you like to be the one to tell her she can’t go?”
“Stars no! I’ve seen that girl shoot. She could put an arrow in my eye from clear ‘cross the valley.” With a huff, Ignacio leaned on the table, setting one of the bottles next to Duncan. “Thought Brezer was going to wuss out on you though. Did you see the look on his face when she pulled out her bow and threatened to shoot us all in the leg if we didn’t tell her which way to head?” Furrowing his brow, Ignacio glanced at Duncan over his shoulder. “Honestly thought she was gonna do it for a minute there.”
“I think she considered it.” Duncan responded flatly. “Lucky for us Senka may be hot headed, but she isn’t stupid. She knows she needs our help to navigate the forest and so, for the time being, we are more useful to her in one piece.”
“Well here’s hopin’ I stay useful.” Ignacio huffed as he downed a large swig of the warm liquid.
“I’ll second that.” Picking up the other bottle, Duncan turned it up, enjoying the taste of the bitter liquid as it glided down his throat. “Where did you get this anyway?”
“Outcast saw us sittin’ out here and came to check us out.”
Not liking the idea of someone in Zerdanda already knowing they were sitting outside their border, Duncan frowned. “What did he want?”
“He asked a bunch of questions about what it was like bein’ a Wanderer… how we liked it, what the camp looked like, how many Shifters lived there, and what not.”
“And you told him?” Duncan growled. “Have you lost your mind?”
“He was a young feller, seemed harmless enough; came back the next day with the beer, thankin’ us for chattin’ with him.” Pausing Ignacio shrugged and tossed back more of his beer. “Honestly, I think he has been livin’ alone in that forest for a while. Probably just desperate to interact with someone other than the trees, either that or he is a complete idiot. I mean, why the hell else would a Shifter knowingly approach five rogues all alone?”
Duncan had to admit, Ignacio had a point. Shifters living outside normal Shifter society did so for one of two reasons. One, they didn’t fit in with pack life. Either because they were Alphas who didn’t like to take orders or because they were Shifters whose animal was a solitary species. However, the majority of these outcasts, as they were called, tended to isolate themselves within the confines of Zerdanda; unlike the second, and most common group amongst the Wanderers… the rogues. Considered the scum of Zerdanda, they were mainly criminals. Thieves and murders forced to flee their homeland or risk execution, they settled in amongst the Wanderer tribes and found work as hired thugs and body guards all over the Council’s seven country territory.
And the tattooed wolf standing next to him was one of the best, or worst, depending on how you looked at it. With a reputation for being ruthless and brutal, Ignacio was known and feared all over the land.
But despite what he was, Duncan trusted no other man as much as he did Ignacio. After taking him in under his wing a few years ago, despite the protest of many others, Ignacio had done nothing but prove himself time and time again. Not once had the man ever given him any reason to doubt where his loyalty lay. Actually he had proven on more than one occasion that he would not hesitate to lay down his life to protect the people of their tribe.
Even so, Duncan couldn’t deny he was quite an intimidating looking man. From his half-shaved head, to the rows of tattoos that trailed down the full length of both his arms, most people took one look at Ignacio and turned the other way. “You’ve got a good point. If he comes back invite him to come to the camp. I definitely wouldn’t mind meeting the kid that would walk in here after seeing you and the rest of these ruffians.” With one large swallow, he downed the last of his beer, and sat the empty bottle down on the table next to him. “Kid definitely has guts, I’ll give him that.”
“Maybe, but I’m thinkin’ it’s more a case of desperation,” Ignacio commented flatly. “He’s alone, cut off from his pack and his family, and for us wolves, that’s a punishment worse than death.” Hearing a hint of sadness crack his stoic façade, Duncan turned and faced his friend.
“It’s like the saying goes Ignacio… Rogues are the rejects everyone turn their backs on… until they have no one left to turn to.”
“Yeah,” With a heavy sigh, Ignacio dropped his gaze and stared blankly at some invisible point at his feet. “Can I ask you a question boss?”
Finding the sudden change in topic and mood peculiar, especially for Ignacio, Duncan arched an eye brow. “What’s on your mind?”
“Something been botherin’ me for a while. And I just never wanted to ask for fear of stirrin’ up something when all seemed to finally be goin’ good for a change. But bein’ here these last few days, then talkin’ with that kid… well, it got me thinkin’.” Pausing, Ignacio took a deep breath and locked his gaze on Duncan. “When you took me in all those years ago… did you already know who… what I was?”
With unsteady hands, Duncan watched Ignacio reach into his shirt pocket and pull out a small tin full of hand rolled cigarettes. Popping open the lid he offered one to Duncan, who waved him off. “Does it matter?”
“Maybe not.” He admitted. Carefully placing his cigarette in his mouth, he pulled a match from the same pocket. “But did I ever tell you that I went to six other tribes before I came to you?” Shaking his head, Ignacio smirked as he struck the match on the table top. “Each and every one of ‘em took one look at me and sent me packin’, one group even took it a step further and told me that if I so much as looked at their camp again they would kill me on sight.” With a couple of puffs in and out, he lit the end and tossed the match to the floor. “But then I showed up at your doorstep, already pissed off, with a massive chip on my shoulder, and you welcomed me into your tribe. Not once did you judge me by the way I looked. Instead you acted as if all the markins’ didn’t mean a thing to you.”
Staring down at the fifty or more hash marks covering Ignacio’s arms, Duncan shrugged. “They don’t.”
Furrowing his brow in confusion, Ignacio studied Duncan closely. “You really don’t know what they are do you?”
Hating the direction this conversation was heading, Duncan motioned for Ignacio to pass him his cigarette. Placing it to his lips, he inhaled deeply. “They are your past, nothing more.”
“But I’ve killed people…”
“And do you think you are the only one?”
Ignacio, stunned silent by his response stared at him blankly. With one last inhale on the cigarette, Duncan passed it back to him. Done with this conversation and in need of rest, he headed for the flap of the tent, feeling Ignacio’s concerned gaze burning through his back.
“Don’t worry too much about it Ignacio.” Hesitating with one hand on the flap, he glanced back at his confused friend. “The only difference between you and any other Shifter living amongst the Wanderers, is that you wear your sins openly for all to see and judge you by. But those same people who would cast a stone at you are also the same ones who have dark secrets of their own they are desperately trying to hide.” Turning, Duncan raised the flap and stepped into the daylight. “Remember Ignacio, just because a person’s skin is clean, doesn’t mean their souls are.”
* * *
After several hours of rest and a large meal consisting of freshly killed deer and greens, curtesy of Brezer, Duncan headed back to his tent to change clothes and finish up the last of his preparations for their journey. He had just finished washing off a bit, and was preparing to put on some fresh clothes when Senka suddenly came charging into his tent.
“Duncan!” her high pitched scream was all the warning he got before she was standing before him looking as if she were ready to murder him. “Please explain to me why the hell I need to wear this!” Holding up the clothing Duncan had borrowed from one of the Shifter’s wives back at camp, she glared up at him apparently oblivious to the fact he was naked except for his towel.
“Those are indicative of the clothing worn by Shifter women.” He answered calmly. “And they still carry the scent of a Shifter on them. With any luck, if you wear those, we be able to pass you off as a Shifter.” Pausing he sniffed the air once, “Well, at least from a distance. Up close they will be able to smell your scent even through the disguise.”
“But it’s pink… and it’s a dress!” she challenged, holding up the simple one piece, floor length dress, with a row of white buttons extending down the center of the front. “How am I supposed to fight someone wearing this?”
“I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“No, I won’t! Cause I’m not wearing it!” Tossing it on a nearby chair, she hesitated finally noticing he had on nothing but a towel. Crossing her arms over her chest, he felt the heat of her gaze travel down his body. “Please don’t tell me that’s traditional Shifter men’s wear.”
Arching his eye brows, he smirked. “Why? You don’t approve of it either?” Shifting his weight to one leg, he crossed his arms, mocking her body language.
Eyes falling on the flexed muscles of his arms and abdomen, Senka swallowed hard. “It might be a bit distracting.”
Duncan’s smirk grew. “Distracting for who?”
Seeing his amusement, Senka’s anger flared once more. “You when the bugs start taking advantage of all that bare skin.” she huffed. Rolling her eyes, Senka turned on her heel. Pushing open the flap, she turned and glared back at him, “Be at the trees in ten minutes or I’m leaving without you.”
“Sure boss.”
With an exaggerated huff, she faced forward and moved to exit the tent, only to be blocked by Ignacio’s towering form. Furrowing his brow, he took in her solid black attire and frowned. “What happened to the dress?”
With a frustrated grunt she pushed past him and out the flap “If you guys like the dress so much one of you can wear it!”
Holding open the flap and watching her walk, Ignacio clicked his tongue. “That is one hell of a woman.” He laughed, openly checking out her ass in those tight black pants she always wore. “Hey, tell me boss. You and the girl a thing or is she available? Cause I would sure like to get me a piece of that.”
Before he knew what he was doing, Duncan was across the room with his hand wrapped around Ignacio’s neck. Pulling him inside the tent, he slammed the younger Shifter down on a nearby table.
“Stay away from her,” he growled. Anger flaring as his imagination ran wild with pictures of Ignacio and Senka together. Barely restraining the urge to shift, he fixed the wolf with his narrowed gaze. “I mean it, if you so much as lay a hand on her…”
Holding out his hands in a surrendering gesture, Ignacio grinned smugly. “No problem boss. You like the wildcat, she’s all yours.”
Staring down at Ignacio’s amused expression as he laid pinned to the table beneath him, Duncan snapped free of his anger filled haze long enough to realize what he had done. Quickly releasing the man, he backed away cautiously. “Damn it, Ignacio.” He grunted, placing more distance between them while keeping a watchful eye on his friend. “I’m sorry man.”
“No worries boss.”
With a twisted smile, Ignacio rose up to sit on the edge of the table. Removing a cigarette from his pocket, he lit it, then leaned back and stared at Duncan with a knowing grin that did nothing to ease his anxiety.
Over the last few decades, Duncan had never met anyone else with a skill level that came close to his own… that is until Ignacio showed up. In him, Duncan found a well-trained, skilled warrior. The man reminded him so much of himself at that age it was frightening, which was probably why he had taken him under his wing when so many had been adamantly against it. But though he viewed Ignacio as a friend, and felt confident he saw him in much the same way, it still didn’t mean Duncan needed to press his luck with the much younger, and potentially stronger Shifter.
Moving further away, while keeping a watchful eye on him, Duncan ran is hand through his hair. “I don’t know what came over me.”
Watching him just as closely as he was watching him, Ignacio exhaled a plume of smoke, before offering up one to Duncan. With a wave Duncan declined the offer. “Seems pretty clear to me… you got a thing for the girl.” Chuckling Ignacio jumped from the table. “Ain’t nothin’ to be ashamed of, it happens to the best of us. One minute you’re perfectly normal, then this pretty young thing walks into the room and BAM!” Slamming his hand on the table, Ignacio broke it in half. With his eyes locked on Duncan, he grinned, “The next you’re like a rabid animal fighting to protect what’s yours.”
Staring at the busted remains of the table, Duncan frowned. “Except, she’s not mine and I’m old enough to be her father.”
“Probably old enough to be her great grandpa.” Ignacio laughed, easing the tension between them. “Not that I care,” he quickly added, trying to choke down his laughter. “If you want the girl, go for it. The two of you fixin’ to be all alone over there, who knows, somethin’ may come of it.” Inhaling deeply, Ignacio suddenly turned very serious, “Just be sure you don’t let her distract you from the dangers around you. One wrong move over there, and the Patrols will have both your asses in the slammer.”
Or worse, Duncan thought. Moving across the room he grabbed his pants off a nearby chair and threw them on. “You’re right. I need to try to stay focused on the task at hand. Besides, Senka isn’t interested in me that way, never has been.” Sliding on his boots and lacing them up, Duncan grabbed his red flannel shirt off the arm of the chair. “And with me failing to keep her sister protected, I fear even our friendship may now be on the line.”
“Boss, that shit ain’t your fault.” Dropping his cigarette on the ground, Ignacio stubbed it out with the toe of his boot. “We were all to blame. Damn pretty boy made fools of us all. But don’t you worry about that, I got friends in every territory under the Council’s rule. If that snake is still around, I will find him, have no doubt about it.” An evil smirk twisted the edges of Ignacio’s lips. “I will make sure his scrawny ass pays for what he did to those girls.”
“I want him alive Ignacio.” Duncan warned, knowing exactly where his mind had wandered. “If you do find him, bring him back to the camp. I will deal with him when I return.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll save a piece of him for you.” With an evil chuckle, Ignacio spun around and headed for the tent exit. “Ain’t sayin’ which piece though.”
“Alive Ignacio!” Duncan shouted after him, “I want him alive, preferably in one piece!”
“Sure thing boss.”
Frustrated, Duncan watched as Ignacio waved dismissively at him over his shoulder. Knowing it was out of his hands, but hoping Ignacio would do the right thing, he rolled up the sleeves to his shirt and grabbed his bag.
Heading out of the tent, he made his way to the edge of the forest where Senka and a few of the others stood waiting. Side by side, with Brezer, she laughed and carried on with him the others. Glad to see her finally enjoying herself instead of crying, Duncan hesitated and watched as they all continued to tease and poke fun at one another. But when the wolf took it one step further and draped his arm over her shoulder, Duncan’s temper flared. To his surprise, a low growl rumbled free from deep down in his chest, instantly snagging the attention of all three wolves. Heads whipping his direction and reading his expression, they all backed away from Senka in unison.
Lacking their advanced hearing, and therefore not hearing Duncan’s warning growl, Senka stared at the others confused. Following their gazes and landing on Duncan’s intense expression, Senka narrowed her gaze. “What’s going on?”
Barely affording her a glance, Duncan stormed by all four of them and headed straight for the tree line. “It’s time to go.”