Page 36 of Cree & Dawn and the Wolf

Dawn nodded, the pain still radiating through her.

“Lean on me, walking will not be easy for you now,” Lynall urged.

Dawn nodded again, praying that Cree would not take long to find them.

Once all were gathered outside, Larkin ordered. “Stay close. The wolves cannot find us with our scents masked.”

“Are you sure the women’s scent is masked enough?” one of the men asked.

“Aye,” Penn said, “that Ulfr warrior left enough for us to use on them.”

After walking for a while, Dawn wondered how Penn could make his way through the fog so easily. He didn’t hesitate or falter in his steps. He walked as if the path was clear to him.

Werewolf.

She was being foolish. She was seeing werewolves everywhere since lodging at Clan MacMadadh. But what other than being a werewolf could explain his ability to navigate the fog so easily?

“How far to the horses, Penn?” Larkin asked.

Lynall’s grip tightened on Dawn’s arm hearing that. Dawn understood. If they reached the horses, more distance could be gained, delaying a rescue or worse, preventing it.

“We have a way to go yet,” Penn said, not breaking his stride as he remained in the lead.

“Keep moving,” Larkin ordered.

They had taken only a few steps when a scream was heard. It brought everyone to an abrupt stop.

“Call out, men,” Larkin ordered and all, but one man responded.

“The wolves,” one man said.

“I heard no growl,” Larkin said.

A sudden thud was heard but no scream.

“Call out!” Larkin ordered again.

Only Penn and another man responded.

“It’s no wolf,” Larkin said and yelled out, “Take your wife, Lord Cree, and leave us be. We had no intention of keeping her.”

“I will not raise a sword against you,” the one man called out.

“You raised your sword when you took my wife,” Cree shouted with snarling anger. “And you will pay for it. Lynall, have you or my wife been harmed.”

“Nay, sir, though Lady Dawn is in pain from a shove she received and being forced to walk.”

A raging roar more frightening than any wolf growl pierced the fog and when it was done, Cree called out, “Dolan is moving toward you, Lynall. He will bring you and my wife to me.”

“You can have your wife, Lord Cree, but not Lynall. She comes with us,” Larkin called out.

“I think not,” Cree shouted.

“Lord Clouston sent us to get her. She is his niece. I caution you on making him your foe,” Larkin said.

“And I caution you,” Cree called out with a warning that no fool would ignore. “Stop Lynall from leaving and I will see you all dead.”

“I’m done. I want no more of this,” the one man said and ran off into the fog and a thud was heard after he took only a few steps.

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