Page 34 of Tangled Fates

Forever.

11

RAVEN

The pounding of my paws against the cold, hard ground rooted my mind as I soared back toward the pack. If nothing else, I had a duty to my father to figure out what in the hell had happened to him. After all, the only reason why he had died in the first place was because he had been on a journey to come find me and aid his pack in their survival.

And if the pack was still in trouble, then I had to do something.

I’m not losing two families.

FINALLY, SOME COMMON SENSE.

Trees whipped by in nothing but blurs of green and brown as I weaved around protruding rocks that had cascaded down the mountainside. I leapt over downed logs, breathed in the fresh air, and set my sights on the future.

More specifically, how in the hell I was going to conduct myself with the pack while I tried to solve the mystery my father had died for.

Raven?

BRODY?

I skidded to a stop and lifted my snout into the air. I sniffed deeply, allowing the rain-tainted air around me to filter into my lungs. There was a storm coming. Something was brewing in the atmosphere that threatened to push us into our homes for the rest of the night.

But his voice kept echoing off the corners of my mind.

Raven. Help me, please.

I whipped around, trying to find the source of his voice. Trying to figure out why in the hell he sounded so far away. I mean, even wolves that reached out in groupthink never sounded so far away.

Unless…

Brody, are you okay?

Raven, please.

WHAT IS IT? SPIT IT OUT.

Wolfy, calm down. Brody, are you okay?

I need your help, Raven. Please.

I spun around, hoping that I’d lay eyes on him. Guilt overwhelmed me in ways I couldn’t explain. I thought he had been recuperating back at my dad’s place. Sleeping, picking around in the fridge, and generally taking care of himself.

I hadn’t once checked up on him.

And now, something else was wrong due to my negligence.

Brody, whatever it is, I’m coming to find you. Can you tell me where you are?

I need help.

I know that, Brody. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll come help.

Help me.

Brody! Please! Talk to me!

Please, before it’s too late. Just come help.

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