Page 29 of Wandering Witch

I shared a look with her other mates. Damn, I guess that’s what they really are. It would explain why my bear wasn’t over disturbed when they linger too close to her. We all saw her reluctance, and we all wanted to protect her from having to make this decision.

The demon raised a hand but I stopped him before he could make contact with Fare. When he glared at me, I shook my head. Fare had to be the one to make the call about what we did next.

“If a life on the run is what you want, that’s what we’ll do. We’ll all support you, no matter what you want to do.” Benny made sure I knew he had included me in his statement.

I started to reply, but Fare cut me off without even knowing that’s what she did.

“You have no idea how much I want to just tuck my tail and run. But this has gone on long enough. My family has spent generations running for our lives. It’s time one of us stands up and fights back.”

Pride filled every inch of me at her words. I knew they had cost her a lot to say. At her shaky resolve, I noticed the map glimmer softly as a little more of the purple filled in. That was the sign to us all that she was serious in her decision, and that it was the right one.

We agreed that it would be best if we left as soon as possible, though I thought Fare really only pushed for that so she wouldn’t have a chance to change her mind and backpedal. Since I only wanted to help my mate succeed, I chased the guys around the clearing to make sure we were packed up and ready to hit the road the moment we were ready.

Fare waited until I had shifted before she approached me and whispered while the others were busy loading me down with our supplies.

“Do you think I’m making the right call?” she asked, and I saw the uncertainty in her face.

Since I was unable to speak in bear form, which she knew. I was willing to bet that was why she waited until then to ask, I nodded and pushed my snout into her chest. She sighed in relief and held my head close until Roan said it was time to go.

He helped her onto my back before he swung himself up behind her. Benny stood before me and we locked eyes.

“I should be able to keep up with you. Do you want me to lead you on the most direct path to the village?” he asked, and I nodded right away. I didn’t need to ask Fare whether she wanted to take the long or short route. Her fear about her ability to do what would be needed was clear and I knew she needed the least amount of time to rethink her decision.

The demon turned and started off at a light jog for a short distance before he moved into a run that I was able to keep up with easily enough.

The village that Benny led us to proved to be fairly close, though it still took us more than a day of running to reach. When the ground off to our side fell away to form a sharp cliff, I released a short series of chuffs to catch the demon guide’s attention.

He turned around and returned to where I had let my passengers down.

“Are we close?” my mate asked as I shifted back.

“I think so,” I trailed off to look at Benny who nodded. “But I think this would be a good place to stop and rest up before tackling our final hurdle.”

Again, the demon nodded and Roan must have been following our conversation because he had pulled out the tent.

Fare looked in the direction we were headed with a worried look that I wished I could do something to ease.

She stayed that way until I finally had to force her to get some rest. I doubted she would get any sleep, but at least pretending would be better than nothing. Benny and Roan must have noticed my concerned looks at her because they whispered to each other just softly enough that I couldn’t make out the words.

Eventually Benny stood up and grabbed my shoulder in a friendly manner.

“C’mon. Let’s go tuck our girl in. Roan said he would take watch.”

Farren

Morning light shone through the opening in the tent, and I was surprised I could sleep as deeply as I did. When I sat up to stretch out the kinks of sleep, I looked around and blinked sleepily at the naked bodies on either side of me. Ah, that would explain it. I mused as my eyes devoured the miles of bare flesh.

I startled a little when I realized it was Locke and Benny who’d ‘tucked’ me in last night. I had not expected that Locke would be that willing to play nice so soon after meeting the demon.

Movement from outside the tent caught my attention, and I grabbed my clothes on my way to see what was going on. Roan had been digging through the bags and found what looked like the cooking supplies. I just stood and watched from the door of the tent as he prepared what could have been a breakfast for an army with a soft smile on my face.

How had I managed to get so lucky to find so many caring men?

Warm, lithe arms encircled my waist and I was startled as Benny rested his chin on my shoulder. We just stood watching Roan cook what could very well be our last meal.

“Cheer up, Goddess. We won’t let anything happen to you,” Benny whispered in my ear as he stepped aside and joined the spirit.

Locke joined me not long after and instead of just standing with me to watch breakfast get cooked, he steered me away from camp and to the edge of the cliff. He sat down and let his legs dangle off the side as he pulled me down to land in his lap.

---