Chapter Eighteen
Thankfully, Connor didn't say a word when they finally emerged from the shack, although Jenny was sure he could either sense or smell something. Instead, he just grunted and muttered something about the rain.
“It’ll have covered our tracks pretty well,” Ross said, back to his usual authoritative self. “But it’s already getting dark. We need to eat first and then get ready to go.”
Connor grinned. “Food’s all ready, although I might find a rabbit or something on the way.”
Jenny’s stomach rumbled. “Sounds good,” she replied, walking to the back of the truck and pulling the back door open so she could perch on the edge. “I’m not going to pretend I’m not hungry.”
“It’s all that exercise,” Ross murmured, handing her a roll filled with some kind of meat. Heat filled Jenny’s face as she smiled back at him, fully aware of what he meant. “Eat up.”
A self-conscious smile on her face, Jenny ate, trying not to think about what had just happened between herself and Ross and focusing instead on what they had to do next.
“Where do we have to go from here?”
Ross scrunched up his face, frowning heavily. "Once we shift, we'll be more likely to hear the river, but basically we're going upstream, up toward those hills." He nodded to Jenny's left, to some hills surrounded by gray clouds.
“We’ll need to stay close to the river the whole way,” Connor added, brushing some crumbs from his jeans. “The East River pack are expecting us. I had a call from Thomas while you guys were, uh, in the cabin.”
Jenny looked away, praying her face wasn’t going red. “I’m ready to go,” she murmured.
Ross grinned at her self-conscious face before pulling off his shirt and throwing it at her face. Surprised, Jenny caught it, laughing as he winked at her. “Ready to shift?”
“Sure.” Jenny threw Ross’s shirt back at him before bending down to pull off her boots.
Connor cleared his throat. “I’d better go around to the front,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “See you in a minute.”
Jenny couldn't help but look at Ross as he threw his clothes in the truck. His arm snaked around her waist as she pulled off her T-shirt, pressing his lips to the curve of her neck. "If we didn't have to go…" he whispered hotly in her ear, making shivers run down her spine.
“I know,” she murmured, turning to look at him. Kissing him hard, she pulled away, letting her wolf come out before he had another chance to grab her.
Ross let out a bark of laughter, slamming the truck door shut just as Connor’s wolf appeared, the truck keys in his mouth. Locking the truck, Ross bent down and put the keys somewhere underneath the truck, keeping them hidden from anyone who might come looking for them. Then with a slight grimace on his face, Ross shifted.
His wolf practically sprang from his body, ripping his skin before reforming with fur. His eyes sharpened, his nose picking up every scent imaginable. He walked over to where Connor and Jenny were, peering through the trees to where they would have to walk.
It’s a long way until we reach the next lot of cover, Connor rumbled, his lip curling back to reveal a set of sharp white teeth. I don’t like it.
Ross’s instincts bent much the same way. There were a few long, open fields of grass and what looked like some kind of corn before they reached the next copse of trees, but they couldn’t exactly just stay here. It was already beginning to get dark, and Ross could already hear the distant sounds of the river. They had to just make a run for it.
There’s no one here, he replied, looking at Connor steadily. We have to go now while we have the chance. He could tell from Connor's low growl that he wanted to stay until it got much darker, but time wasn't something they had a lot of. They had to get to the East River pack as soon as possible to make sure Jenny was protected, as well as to warn them of the danger. They only knew about Davidson and the Damsons, but Ross was worried that Davidson might already be trying to recruit new hunters to his cause, their hatred of shifters stemming from Davidson's need for revenge. Ross knew that there were plenty people out there who would join a vicious, bloodthirsty cause just for the sake of it. A low growl left his chest. I’ll lead the way.
Jenny looked up at him, her muzzle almost touching his. I trust you, she said, before pointing her nose to where they were heading.
His body came alive with energy as he padded forward out of the trees and into the open. His nose worked hard, smelling for anything unusual, but the heavy rain had dampened the scents. All he could smell was rain and flowers and grass. Nothing unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary.
With a quiet yip, Ross walked forward with Connor and Jenny on either side. Breaking into a run, they tore across the grass, almost swallowed up by the long grass.
Suddenly, the sound of an engine met Ross's ears. His breath came in short, sharp gasps as he kept running, his ears pointing backward as he listened. The trees loomed ahead, their silhouettes beckoning as the shifters grew ever closer. The sound of the vehicle's engine did not die away as he'd hoped. Instead, it grew closer, as though it were slowly traveling along the road. His heart beat faster, adrenaline shooting through his body as he raced forward with Connor and Jenny just behind him.
Finally reaching the cluster of trees, Ross threw himself forward before turning around and flattening against the ground. His ears pushed forward just as Connor and Jenny did the same. His sides heaved with exertion, his wolf form shaking slightly with the effort it had taken to push himself so hard.
What is it?
Ross said nothing to answer Jenny’s question, keeping completely silent and still. The engine shuddered to a stop.
It’s them, Connor said, his words laced with rage. We have to go. The river is close.
Waiting for just a few more seconds, Ross heard the unmistakable sound of Davidson’s voice, sounding angry and frustrated. That was all he needed to hear.
Keeping his body close to the ground, Ross moved away , desperately needing to find the river. They had to hide their tracks. If the Damson shifters were nearby, they might be able to catch their scent, even with the rain-dampened earth.
I’ll lead us to the river, he said, glancing over at Connor and seeing his bared teeth glint in the moonlight. You and Jenny listen for the Damsons.
There was no bark of agreement, but Connor and Jenny’s ears flicked back at once, doing as he’d asked. Moving through the trees, Ross fought the urge to run, knowing it could spell disaster if they did that. They had to keep moving slowly and quietly. Listening hard, Ross crept forward, his paws barely making a single sound. Their path took them upward as they climbed a small hill, trying to find the river.
The rain began to fall again, dropping through the trees and falling heavily on them. Even with their water-repellent fur, they could easily get soaked in a heavy downpour. Ross’s chest rattled in frustration. They might have to find somewhere to shelter if the rain kept up. A soaked-to-the-skin wolf wasn't a good idea.
Finally the sound of the river grew closer, the raindrops splashing on the water enhancing the sound. This way.
The three wolves moved a little faster, picking up speed as they reached the river. Deliberately splashing through the water, Ross looked to his right and left, listening for any other sounds. The rain soaked through his fur as it continued to pour.
We have to go, he said, making a decision. We’ll shelter if we have to.
Connor and Jenny waited in the river for him to pass, allowing him to take the lead. They would have to keep to the river for some time, making sure their scent was hidden. Tension rippled down his spine, but Ross forced himself to walk slowly, barely able to see where he was going at times. Thunder rolled overhead, lightning flashing a few miles away. A low growl crept from his chest, echoed by Connor. They had to find somewhere to shelter soon.