Page 8 of Danny's Dance

Asighof relief escaped my mouth as I could finally see some light shimmering through the trees. We made it. Our tactic of neurotically marking off every tree and drawing lines using the three of us as points for a straight line paidoff.

I had never been happier that I could leave a forest. The open wasteland and the small trails familiar sights as the small town we were staying in unfolded beforeus.

“A-Ash and Aspen are waiting f-for us,” JP spoke, his voice still a bit shaky. I reached for his hand and intertwined fingers. With two gentle squeezes, I let him know that I was here for him. Our own little way of saying “I love you”. A faint smile appeared on his face as he squeezedback.

There was a hot stew waiting for us in the abandoned barn we had called home for the past three days and I hungrily attacked my bowl. It had little cubes of carrot and potato swimming in a thick gravy. It was utterly delicious and I couldn’t get enough ofit.

“Thanks, Ash,” I smiled, thanking my raven-haired best friend. I really couldn’t complain about my life that much. Apart from being chased by a mad woman and having started a war, things weren’t that bad. I was on an endless road trip with my two lovers and was accompanied by my best friend Ashleigh and her twin brother, Aspen, who I got along with justfine.

A girl could doworse.

“How do you know I didn’t make the food?” Aspen grumbled, shovelling the stew greedily in hisface.

“B-Because it’s delicious a-and also b-because it’s Ash’s day t-to cook,” JP grinned, pushing his potatoes and carrot cubes around in his bowl. As much as we all tried to cut our vegetables in uniform sizes, JP needed to sort them by shape and size before he could eat them. Just one of his littlequirks.

“Oi! I’m a damn fine cook,” Aspen protested, hungrily eyeing the kettle in the hearth. If he had his way, he’d eat the whole damn thing. How he did it, I never understood, but he could devour massive amounts of food. Luckily, he always shared nicely with us. Not that he had much choice. Aspen was lanky and strong and his Alpha wasn’t one to mess with, but I’d fight him for Ash’s food. I’d poke him with a fork if needbe.

I spooned out the last of my stew and happily leant against the wall. “Thanks for the food,Ash.”

“You’re welcome,” Ash grinned, looking rather proud of herself. With good reason. There was only so much you could do with the basics and if it wasn’t for her cooking, those watery potatoes and moldy carrots would come out of ourears.

“We’re low on firewood,” Regan mumbled, also leaning back with his hands resting on his stomach. The lazy grin on his face a telltale sign that he ate toomuch.

“I-I think it’s m-my turn to g-get more,” JP said, looking pleased with his array of cubes. He sighed happily when he took his first bite and shot a grateful glance atAsh.

“I can join you for firewood tomorrow,” I proposed, not liking the idea of one of us going out there alone. Not with Chesca hanging around. Her threats to take my men still echoed through my head. I didn’t want anything happening to my men. Noway.

“S-Sounds good, thankyou.”

“I’ll join too,” Regan spoke, his stern look clear that he wasn’t taking no for ananswer.

I could feel his wolf’s concern in his chest and decided not to protest. I knew how worried he’d been when he couldn’t get to me sooner. I had felt his anxiety and panic pulse through me with every passing second that he couldn’t find me. My poor mate. He loved me so much it almost scared me. But then again, I loved him the same way. Wholly and fully. Inexcusablymuch.

That night, I happily curled up between JP and Regan and with both their hands protectively resting on my hip, I fell in a dreamless sleep. One of the few not littered with nightmares. No surprise. There are no nightmares when reality wasworse.

Chapter Six - Darren

Even though itwas still dark, the morning was cold and refreshing against my skin. The fields and the edge of the forest were truly beautiful when you weren’t lost or being chased by a mad woman. JP dropped an armful of twigs on the heap of firewood we were making as Regan dumped another massive pile next toit.

“That should last us for a while,” I admired our bushel, pleased that we collected so much wood. But then again, I was rather good at findingwood.

“Wait...” Regan suddenly said, placing a finger on his lips. His warm hand found my shoulder. “Two o’clock,” he muttered under his breath as he nudged toward ashrubbery.

I peered into the darkness, hoping that my wolf would help me out. Nothing. Great. Why did I get stuck with the near-sighted wolf again? “I-I don’t see anything.” JP stuttered from behind me. Of course, he wouldn’t. His eyesight was even worse thanmine.

“I can smell him,” Regan added, his muscles rippling under his tight-fitted shirt. Damn, he was one sexy piece of ... “S-S-Should we do something?” The slender man hid behind the broad-shouldered bear as he nervously pushed up hisglasses.

“I got this, boys,” I whispered loudly, deciding I was not in the mood to play hide and seek. I played enough stupid games with Chesca last night. I stepped out into the open field, my arms stretched out as I walked into the unknown. “You got me, I’m here. Now show yourself!” I yelled at the stranger that was apparently followingus.

“Damnit.”

I heard Regan curse as he quickly jumped in front of me. Silly man, he was always a tad toooverprotective.

“B-B-Be careful,” JP stuttered as he crouched down behind the pile of firewood. At least he wassmart.

A low whooshing sound filled the air as both Regan and I ducked towards the ground. With my muscled lover breaking my fall, I didn’t hurt myself nearly as much as I couldhave.

“S-Shuriken,” my other lover stuttered from behind the pile of wood, only a tad too late. Good thing we had quickreflexes.

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