Page 38 of The Dire Legacy

By the end of the day, all of them were friendly with me.

Even the scary looking one relented to me helping him with a shoulder itch when I saw him rubbing against a tree.

It’s funny seeing such a big animal thump his leg as I scratch.

What a wonderful feeling to be around others without them wanting something from me.

Well, I’ve seen the glances Michael has tossed at me. I’m getting to him. There may not be a long term future with him, or the pack, but they’re the safest bet on survival I have.

And the only way to make sure I can stay is to win him over.

The sunlight fades faster today, hidden by dark clouds that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“I think we’re going to get some rain.” Michael calls for the wagon to stop and starts rifling in the back of it.

He’s pulling a heavy tarp from one of the boxes when the first drop hits me on the top of the head. “How can I help?” I’ve never had a job before. My whole life I’ve just had to exist.

A smile tugs up one side of his dark beard. “Grab that side. We need to cover the load.”

The crinkling sound of the plastic almost covers the low rumble that pushes through the trees.

“What was that?” It sounds huge, like it’s coming from every direction.

“Huh?” He pulls the cover tight and ties it before coming around to me. “Let me get the camp box.” His biceps bulge in his shirt as he picks up the large wooden crate and moves it effortlessly onto the ground.

I know that thing is heavy, I stubbed my toe on it earlier.

Another deep sound rolls over us. It’s almost as if the very air is shaking.

“What the fuck is that?” It just kinda slips out before I can stop it.

His gray eyes match the skies under his raised brows. “You’ve never heard thunder?”

When he leans back and looks at me down his nose, I feel like I’m being judged.

“I’ve been sheltered.” I feel like an idiot. I’ve watched enough television through my years at the institute to know better. It’s so different experiencing it in real life.

“Like a bomb shelter? Were you in a bunker?” He snugs up the last corner, his face still all screwed up like he is dumbfounded.

“Something like that.” Three tries to get my knot to hold. He made it look so easy.

Like carrying that box. He hoists it to a small clearing between some heavy pines. “Well, have you ever been in a storm?” Flipping back the lid reveals a sleeping bag, pad and tent. The pots and pans I recognize, but not the other metal stuff.

Leaves kick up around our feet as the wind gets stronger. The raindrops are falling fast enough to start soaking through my thin shirt.

“No. I’ve never been camping either, but want to learn.” Another peal of thunder is loud enough to make me jump.

Reaching down, he pulls out the bagged tent and looks up at me with a grin. “You’re going to learn high speed tent skills, or we’re gonna get wet.”

“I already am.” Rivulets of water are running down my bare head and dripping off my fingers.

His nostrils flare as he pauses, looking me up and down. “Not yet.” His voice drops low before he turns away.

What does that mean?

Lightning crackles across the dusk sky, flashing across his broad back unrolling the tent onto the damp ground. “Get the other side. We need to be quick.”

Stretching out the shapeless material doesn’t take long. Threading the poles through the wet holes is quite a bit harder as it keeps trying to bunch and pull. The gusts get strong enough for Alpha to step forward and use his large paw to hold one edge down until Michael can pound in the stakes.

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