Page 106 of Oath of Revenge

Nightstalkers

Scarlet looked past Wulfric, who peered behind the group too. Together, they saw the litter with the ice monster wrapped tightly in frozen blankets. She sighed and waved her hand.

“Well, come in if you’re cold. Wulfric made a stew. I’m going to get dressed, then we can head to Hartsgrove.”

“The dragon’s lair,” one of the Growler’s whispered.

“Shit, I’m more worried about stepping into the druid’s cottage. Are you sure she’s not home?”

Wulfric chuckled and waved them inside while Scarlet grabbed her pack and went to the washroom under the stairs. She tried not to eavesdrop as she dressed, but it was hard.

“Did you see her antlers?” one asked.

A slap could be heard through the door, and a pained bark echoed out. “Mind your manners. That’s our Luna, you Duskkeeper.”

“Enough. There will be no fighting among tribes. We need to show a united front with the dragon, and that won’t happen if you disparage one another. That applies to my Luna too, am I clear?”

“Yes, alpha,” rang out in unison. Scarlet tightened the drawstrings on her vest and frowned. She was now dressed except for her socks and boots.

She threw open the door and marched into the living room. They were all seated at the kitchen table, sipping directly from bowls.

She put her hands on her hips. “I’m going to the Queen of Busparia to get rid of these antlers and rabbit ears. Yes, I am a Growler,” she flicked her red Growler’s tail. “But I can also shift into a rabbit and deer, as you might’ve seen already. Do any of you have a problem with that?”

One man’s jaw dropped, but the others just bowed their heads and shook them. “No, Luna.”

She felt some of the fight go out of her and nodded. “Very well. My horse is in the barn. I’m going to check on her. If she’s fit for travel, I’ll hook her up to the litter. You can all travel as shifted if it’ll keep you warmer. Wulfric, find them some extra clothes if they need it.”

Wulfric nodded and put his bowl down. “Sure, but they each came with a pack already.”

“That’s fine then. I’ll be back,” she said, throwing the red and green cloak around her shoulders and stepping out the door. She winced as she realized she still didn’t have her boots on, but she wasn’t going to go back in there yet. She’d made a spectacular exit and didn’t want to ruin it.

She winced. Gods, that was something Eirwyn would say. She must’ve picked up more in the past six months than she’d thought.

She walked through the clearing, the crunch of ice and snow quickly making her feet numb. She struggled to open the door, pressing against the wind, but a big hand grabbed the edge. She didn’t have to look to know it was Wulfric. He held the door open while they both slipped inside.

Light filtered through the tall windows along one wall, and Rain nickered, tossing her head over the stall’s door. The smell of manure and piss made her want to gag, but Rain kicked at the door.

“I know, girl, I’m sorry I was gone so long. Are you ready for a run?” Scarlet stomped to the stall and opened it. Rain nearly bowled her over, nudging her with her big head. Scarlet laughed and rubbed her jaw and neck, reaching for the bridle on the wall. “I’m so sorry, girl. Let’s get you out of here, yes?”

Wulfric held something out. “For gods’ sake, Scarlet, put on your boots before you lose some toes.”

He reached for the bridle, but she jerked away from him. He grabbed the brush instead. “Never mind, I’ll brush her first.”

She tightened her boots and went to the far corner’s tack room. She lit the lantern but ultimately found a bag of dried apples. When she stepped back out, the door to the barn was open and Wulfric was leading Rain out by the bridle.

Her brows rose. “She likes you.”

He smiled. “Don’t sound so surprised, love. I’m great with animals. It’s people who have a problem with us.”

Scarlet shook her head. He was so much more than the monster she’d thought. She cleared her throat and fed Rain an apple as she nodded to the cottage.

“Do you think the others will be alright going into Hartsgrove?”

He nodded as they walked to the litter. “I do. Two of them are betas, one from Duskkeepers and one from Nightstalkers. The other two are mine, and they’ve always longed for Busparia. I talked to them a little, and they’re the most keen to ask about their families. All of them were from villages near the forest.”

She frowned and nodded. Now that it was time for the mission, she didn’t want to delay. She hooked up the litter to Rain, who was more than ready to run.

“I wonder if a monster like this is responsible for the attacks in Busparia, instead of the Dragon Claws,” she said.

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