Page 50 of Can't Be Love

We walked through the woods, following a relatively clear path.

“This is a small creek during the summer months,” Tulok said, breaking the silence.

We continued to follow the creek, and within a short time it opened to a clearing.

“A helicopter could easily land here,” I noted.

“Yes, but we’ve not seen or heard any such thing in this area recently.”

“You don’t think we’re far enough from the village to come and go quietly by air?”

“No, I do not,” Tulok said.

“Okay then, they have to be around here, somewhere. It will likely be dark by the time we pull enough people together to search the area, but tomorrow at first light we start here.”

“It’s the closest thing to a lead we have. There will be many who will wish to assist in Yutu’s search,” Tulok admitted.

“How close to here were the bear and the puffin taken?” I asked.

“I am not sure. We will need to go and talk to their people to find that out.”

“Now’s as good a time as any.”

Tulok started to turn back, but we heard some yells and cheers nearby.

“What is that?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Perhaps we should check it out.”

We followed the voices, sensing no danger. It wasn’t much further until the creek opened up to the river. A group of young puffins were sledding down the hill on their stomachs. Three boys stood at the top of the hill laughing and cheering them on.

“What’s going on?” I asked as we approached them.

They looked at me, then to Tulok. They relaxed when they recognized him.

“We’re just playing around. Jimmy made it all the way to the river from here. It was awesome!” one of the boys enthused.

“That’s pretty impressive,” I admitted, seeing how far it was still to the river.

“Who’s that, Tulok?” the youngest of the boys asked, pointing to me.

“This is Thomas, future Alpha of the wolves of Collier Pack. He’s here to help in the search for Yutu and the others missing.”

The boy sniffed and wiped his coat sleeve across his nose. “Lyle was taken, too. He’s my cousin.”

“The missing puffin shifter?” I asked, and the kid nodded. “I’m real sorry to hear about your cousin. I’m going to do everything I can to help find him.”

The kid launched himself at me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Thank you.”

“Hey,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe you could help me out with something.”

“Me?” the kid asked with curiosity.

“Yes, you. Can you tell me where your cousin was when he was when he disappeared?”

The boy sadly shook his head. “He was heading here to go sledding. We were supposed to come with him, but my friend’s chores weren’t done yet, so my other friends and I stayed back and helped him. Lyle wasn’t here when we arrived. He should have been, but he wasn’t. His friends”—the boy pointed down to Jimmy and the others in puffin form—“showed up a little after us. No one was all that worried, but he didn’t come home that night. Or the next. Or the next after that. Then we got word that Samson, one of the polar bears, was also missing. That happened almost a week ago. It’s like they just vanished.”

“I promise you, kid, they didn’t just vanish, and we’re going to get to the bottom of this. Did any of you see or hear anything odd? Maybe a helicopter?” All three boys shook their head no. “Okay, well, do me a big favor. Keep your eyes and ears alert for anything or anyone strange in this area. And whatever you do, stay in groups. Do not go out alone, anywhere, until we get to the bottom of this. Promise?” They all nodded this time. “Good. There’s safety in numbers, and I don’t want anything happening to any of you.”

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