Page 16 of Abundant Moon
Chapter 9
KATRINE AND MANDY’Sapartment
The girls finally made it out of bed around eleven o’clock, and even with a lingering fatigue, set about adjusting their nest once again. It didn’t seem to matter if the room was declared perfect yesterday, for today nothing seemed quite right. Supplies were checked and double checked, extra blankets refolded, baby items counted, lists made, and the room swept and dusted. In the process, they skipped lunch, not realizing this made the second meal in a row. It wasn’t the first warning sign they’d missed, nor the last.
Feeling out of sorts, the lovers curled up on the couch to watch the beautiful snowfall. For some reason they were extra clingy today, feeling the need to be held by their mate. By mid-afternoon, the feeling morphed into a desperate need tomoveand they paced the apartment nervously until Nolan called with an invitation.
“Hey! Some of us are headed out for a quick run before the sun sets. Do you and Mandy want to come along?”
One glance at Mandy gave her the answer.
“Sounds great - we’re going stir-crazy here. We might hold you back, though. I don’t think we can handle a fast pace!”
Nolan chuckled.
“No worries. Just let us know if you need to go slower or want to turn back. We’re going to head southwest for a bit, swing past Schaawe Lake, and then back home. If you want to come, meet us in the meadow in about five.”
The girls began to strip for the shift when Katrine had a thought.
“Should we leave a note or call Ben? I think maybe we’re getting close, hon.”
Mandy shook her head, leaving the last of her clothing in a pile on the living room floor.
“Yeah, I thought the same thing, but we should be fine. Evan said it tookhoursbefore things started to happen, and we won’t be gone long. Besides, he and Ben have family here today and I don’t want to bother them unless we have to.”
The girls made their way to the meadow in wolf form to join the others for a quick easy run in the snow. Later, they’d realize what a dangerous mistake they’d made by ignoring all the signs both Donna and Evan warned them about. Now, both weather and circumstances conspired to make this a Christmas they would never forget.
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APPROACHING FROM THEsouth, Schaawe Lake looked something like a long string bean laid on its side. After trooping along the southwest shore, the small group came to the midway point and waited, again, for Katrine and Mandy to catch up. It wasn’t terribly far back to the central compound, but with the sun almost set it had turned colder in the now-blustery wind and heavier snow. Panting heavily despite the slow pace, the pregnant wolves looked and smelled “off” to Nolan and he cocked his head in question.
Thinking they could make it back, they lifted their muzzles towards home. Nolan took it as a sign to continue, and the group set out once more. Before long, Katrine and Mandy fell behind. The others, eager to get out of the nasty weather, trotted ahead and out of sight. Something strange was happening as their legs shook and the panting increased. Their earlier confidence turned to fear, mocking them with decreased energy and odd abdominal quivers and pulses.
Frightened whines were lost in the gusty white wind as they tried to decide what to do. Conversation was impossible in wolf form and trying to shift now risked dangerous exposure. Forgetting about the warm and well-supplied nest back home, they now sought some kind of shelter or their pups would surely freeze to death before anyone could help them.
Urged on by desperation and cold, the two worked their way along the shore line, looking for a suitable place to deliver before their time ran out. Minutes passed slowly, their coats collecting heavy blankets of wet snow, and it became more difficult to see. Up ahead, Katrine spotted what shethoughtlooked like a familiar landmark and urged Mandy forward. If it was, they might have a chance.
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AVISION STOPPED EVANin his tracks. Darkness and snow hid almost any helpful details of the outdoor scene. Two smallish wolves with heavy bellies staggered in the inclement weather, trying to reach the safety and warmth of home. Slow, determined steps led them along a somewhat familiar rocky shoreline before the scene faded from view.
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IT SEEMED TO BE TAKINGEvan an awfully long time to bring in the drinks, and Ben wondered why. He opened the mind-link to silence and fuzzy images. A vision, then, and probably something important. As he stood, Evie began to cry, calling for her Papa. Ben excused himself and ran for the kitchen.
He found Evan standing motionless at the counter, hands grasping a large heavy tray laden with hot cups of coffee and cocoa. Eyes unfocused and breathing in short shallow gasps, he wavered slightly as Ben’s scent reached him. A moment later he blinked and began barking orders.
“Something’s wrong, Ben. Call Katrine and Mandy, now!”
