Page 108 of Wolf Touched

“We should make sure there’s at least one wolf shifter in each group that can cross-communicate, but the six of us should remain together.” Raffe tugged me against his side. “If there’s an attack, we need to be able to link and strategize with each other. We can’t do that if most of the people we’re with can’t speak to us in animal form or telepathically.”

Even though I understood the merits of both ways of splitting up, I agreed with Raffe. “He’s right. Last time, things were chaotic, and coordination may be critical.” I hadn’t been as worried about that when we’d believed we were taking Olwyn by surprise, but everything had changed.

“My pack stays together with Dave,” Raffe said and tightened his hand on mine. His nerves churned.

I suspected he feared that Keagan would not want to listen, and he believed this was the best route. He’d never had to worry about that when he was the prince and heir, except with his father. Keagan could go against what he said.

Keagan blew out a breath. “Okay. I’m assuming the seven includes Octavia, Dru, Fane, and Priestess Caroline.”

Octavia nodded. “Yes, I want to be with our daughter.”

“And I know Stephanie and Sedona will want to be with you as well. So, with Dave, that will make thirteen, and I would like to stay with your group as well, if possible. That way, we can coordinate easily among alphas if needed.”

“Then the rest of each group should be made up of my coven,” Priestess Caroline added. “We’re used to interacting with each other. I understand wanting to pack-link, but if both alphas are together and we split up so that most of us are with the people we’re most familiar with, it will be for the best.”

“I can see it both ways. We need to get moving so they can’t attack us all in one place.” Keagan’s eyes glowed as he turned to his pack members.

We started splitting up, with eleven of Priestess Caroline’s coven members joining the fourteen of us. We had a group of twenty-five.

The rest formed another five groups, and we were ready to go.

“The house is a mile north. Our yard is five acres, so there’re tons of room to spread out. We’ll come up to the backyard. The back of the house has a sliding glass door on the ground level, and stairs lead to a porch overhead with a door that enters into the kitchen.” I rubbed my handstogether to get rid of some nervous energy. “They have my parents tied up in the kitchen. That’s where we need to go.”

Everyone nodded.

“We’ll head straight to the house.” Raffe glanced at everyone. “The rest of you can fall in where you like.”

“At least two wolf shifters stay in human form so we can communicate,” Keagan added.

Something meowed at my feet, and I looked down. I sucked in a breath.

Of course, Cat-Keith had snuck her way into coming here with us. Part of me wanted to find a way to keep her safe, but knowing her, she’d locate us again. I didn’t have time to worry about that when my parents were in danger. This cat was proving to be smarter than I’d ever have expected and probably wanted to help us. I’d let her.

Now it was time to move, and I was more than ready.

I took the lead, hurrying to the woods. I felt the faint hiss of my power, so I tugged at it to make it stronger. There was no telling when I’d need to use it.

My wolf edged forward, but I held her at bay. I needed to stay in human form so when I reached my parents, they’d know who I was and listen. I could only imagine the sort of hell they’d been through in the twelve hours it had taken us to get here.

I’m going to shift,Josie linked,since most of our group is human.

It’d be best if we all do,Raffe answered.We need to be in our strongest form.

I looked at him and linked,I don’t want to. My parents …I had to believe we were going to reach them and save them.

It’s fine.Raffe’s expression softened.With your power, you’re just as strong in human form. I didn’t expect you toshift, and besides, you’re my mate. I expect you not to listen to me. Never have before.

I chuckled, unable to stop myself. Even in a dire situation, he knew how to make me grin.

The others peeled off, and Keagan watched them run toward the firs.

“We should go shift with them,” Stephanie said.

“You go.” Keagan nodded. “I’ll stay in human form because I need to understand what the hell is going on.” He lifted his shirt, revealing a pistol. “That’s why I brought this.”

I lifted my brows. That was one way to protect himself.

The coven members, Sedona, Dave, Octavia, Dru, Fane, Keagan, and I kept moving forward. The wolves would catch up once they were in animal form.

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