Page 51 of Tangled Fates

They’re getting too close for my taste, Dean said.

I shook my head. Easy does it. Stay as still as possible. Dean? How many do you see?

I count three from up here.

Same here.

Hudson shifted in the shadows. We could take them.

Raven shot him a look. Not if we don’t have to. For all we know, they’re just out on patrol.

And she was right. After about three hundred seconds of them walking around the area we had just penetrated, they got down onto all fours and charged back up the mountain. I tilted my ears toward them, training my senses on them until I strained so hard it started to hurt.

And when I knew for sure that they were out of reach, I slid down the wet bark of the tree and touched back down onto the ground. All right, everyone. Let’s keep moving.

Raven leapt up from the ground. It’ll be dark soon.

Hudson burst free from the shadows. And we’ve still got at least twenty miles to go before we reach the outskirts of where we want to be.

Dean circled around us. Then, let’s go ahead and set up camp here for the night. If we keep going until it’s dark, we’ll be stuck until morning.

I walked out in front of Raven. I saw a cave just up this hill from the treetops. Should be a good place to hunker down for the night.

Hudson tilted his head. One way in, one way out. It’s a great tactical advantage. Show us.

After hoofing it for almost five more miles, we finally found the entrance to the cave that I had seen from high up above. And I had been right about the shadow that I had seen, thank my fucking stars. With only one way in and one way out, it would be easy to spot threats coming for us. Plus, the place was pretty cavernous. We’d easily be able to build a fire toward the back without giving off any signals as to the fact that we were there.

Perfect, Hudson said as he walked the perimeter, I’ll take the first shift guarding the entrance.

I put my snout to the ground. A fire will go well here, there’s a little groove in the ground and everything. I can try to go find some wood that isn’t completely drenched.

Raven blinked. And where exactly are you going to find that?

Dean walked back out of the cave. We’ll need dinner. Hudson, you keep watch while I go hunting. Then, once I’m back, I’ll take over the next shift.

Me, third, I said.

Raven nodded as she leaned against the wall of the cave. Then, I’ll take the watch into morning before we head back out.

Wait, I said.

Everyone paused and turned to face me, waiting for my next statement. I gazed around the cave, and there were things about it that made me uncomfortable. Like, how low the ceiling was. Yes, it was far back into the mountain, but the smoke from a fire would still easily billow out.

What is it? Dean asked.

You don’t like the idea of a fire, Hudson said.

I shook my head. The smoke alone would give us away, especially if we have to shift and wait for our food to cook.

Even if we eat a raw meal, Dean said as he perched himself in front of me, someone still needs to go hunting.

I nodded. And that’s fine, but no fire. So, you guys will have to be okay with a raw meal tonight.

Hudson chuckled. My favorite.

Raven grumbled. First time for everything, I guess.

We all scattered to the wind while Hudson kept watch, waiting for the moment that the bears would sense us. The longer we stayed in wolf form, the more we risked being spotted. Between the scent of our sweat and our worries, it wouldn’t be long before another patrol party would come back around and smell us instantly.

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