Page 17 of Abundant Moon
The phone rang and rang without an answer. Ben needed more information.
“Do you know where they are, babe? Where do we start?”
“Somewhere outside, in wolf form. They shouldn’t be out there! Find out if security has seen them.”
By this time, Ben’s parents, Jonah, and a sobbing Evie Rae arrived in the kitchen; confused, but certain something was terribly wrong. Evan reached for his daughter to comfort her, consumed with guilt that he hadn’t thought to check in with Katrine and Mandy before now. He’d been distracted by his guests; everything else pushed to the back of his mind. The girls were in danger, and unless he missed his guess, were about to deliver their pups. If they were outside and unable to get home... no, he couldn’t let this happen!
He turned to his in-laws while Ben spoke to Caleb Vogel, their security chief.
“Douglas, Anita – I think we’ve got two females stranded out there in the cold and about to deliver. Stay here with the family while Ben and I help look for them. There isn’t much time!”
As Ben finished his call an emergency signal went out, alerting the security teams to begin the search.
“Babe, they could be anywhere! Let me see the vision. Maybe together we can find a clue.”
Evan slipped into Ben’s strong arms and wrenched open the mind-link. Halfway through the murky vision, they saw it - a familiar mound of rock along the shore of Schaawe Lake. It must be...
“The grotto!”
Once Anita understood what they faced, she sent Douglas and Jonah back to the living room with instructions to keep the children calm and occupied. Before Ben and Evan could shift and be on their way, she stopped them both with an upraised hand.
“Wait! I’m going with you. As a female they may let me get close enough to help them. The cold is our biggest problem. We need to bring clothing and blankets to keep them all warm after they shift. Maybe even kindling for a fire. If they’ve made a nest at home, send someone there to collect their things.”
Evan nodded in agreement, yet his every instinct told him to leave, NOW, and he chafed at the thought of further delay. Ben was already on the phone again with Caleb.
“We think they headed for the grotto. Have Donna stand by but remain at the dispensary. Send someone to their apartment to grab clothing and blankets. Once the pups have arrived, I’ll have them shift and we’ll carry them back on foot. Hurry, Caleb!”
Ben rushed to the storage closet for an empty duffle bag and two backpacks. Hand towels, matches, dry kindling, warm blankets, clothing, boots, and coats were hurriedly stuffed inside. The second they were ready, Ben, Evan, and Anita shifted, each grabbing a load with their teeth, and ran through the open door at a dead run.
Chapter 10
THEY WERE LUCKY TOhave found it at all. The climb proved treacherous, yet with no other option Katrine and Mandy pushed on until they reached the top and a measure of safety. Exhausted, wet, and nearly unable to stand, two panting wolves slipped inside the small empty grotto and fell to the cold stone floor in a miserable heap. While offering some protection from the wind, the cave remained open to the elements on one side. Still, it was a relief to simply rest after all the effort.
Licking the cold snow off each other’s faces, they knew without a doubt they were both in labor. While giving birth in wolf form was not the original plan, it turned out to be the only option under the circumstances. Their wolves were tired and stressed, but seemed confident about what should be done. Their human selves, however, worried mostly about how to keep their pups warm once they arrived. Other than a pile of old dried leaves, the bare cave provided nothing useful in the way of protection.
They needed help, now, and didn’t know if anyone even realized they were out here. Turning their wet muzzles towards the cave entrance, Katrine and Mandy howled their distress into the snow-swirled wind, hoping someone, anyone, might be listening.
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THE BURDENED TRIO STUMBLEDoften over unseen obstacles and deep snow drifts. Only their excellent wolf vision enabled them to see where they were going, with Luna’s light masked by a layer of thick clouds. It certainly didn’t help having to drag the duffle and packs along on the arduous journey, but since Ben and Evan both knew exactly where they were going, they made reasonably good time.
Ben blazed the trail for his mate and mother, hoping they weren’t on a wild goose chase. If the girls were holed up somewhere else, even their superb sense of smell may not be enough to locate the trail. He needed some confirmation they were on the right track, and soon or...
Ben stopped to listen. A weak wolf duet reached his straining ears. It had to be them, and it came from the right direction. He answered with a howl loud enough to wake the dead, alerting the girls and the security team close behind them - help is on the way!
