Page 74 of Ascendant Moon
Still standing, Bruce shook his head.
“No, Sir. We picked up traces here and there, both heading east, but I don’t think they were traveling together. Melva’s scent disappeared near Highway 55, but I followed Lincoln’s for few more miles until it stopped at the Pine River.”
Richmond snarled, sending waves of Alpha power at his Second.
“You’re telling me you can’t find an old woman and a pregnant Omega? Where were they headed?”
Bruce swallowed hard, cringing under the strength of the Alpha’s anger.
“Melva kept her mouth shut and didn’t tell nobody what she was planning. They might show up at another pack somewhere, and there’s a bunch out that way. Do you want me to contact them?”
Richmond slammed the desk with his fist.
“NO, you fool! They don’t need to know our business and I’m not in the mood to answer questions. No one cares about the old woman, but get your worthless ass out there andfind Lincoln Hart!”
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Challenge circle, Gladstone
Scooter watched intently as his new student faced off against Troy O’Neil. This was not a capitulation match, rather a test of techniques that he’d been drilling into the young True Elder. Evan had asked Scooter to teach Colton some basic self-defense moves that could help him in a fight. Memory transfers were all fine and good, but knowing anddoingwere very different concepts. Hopefully, he’d never need to defend himself against attack, but both Ben and Jack thought it would help round out the teen’s education.
Troy might be on the smaller side for a Beta, making him and Colton more evenly matched, but he was an experienced fighter who understood what Scooter was trying to teach the teen. Even so, he began the test at half his normal speed, giving Colton more time to process and respond. He feinted, dodged, jumped, rolled, and even added in some dirty tricks that less honorable opponents might try.
Colton’s superior memory meant that he learned very quickly, never making the same mistake twice. Troy noticed and adapted to compensate until the two were on equal footing. With an increase in speed came both ferocity and determination, and the smell of blood upped the ante even further. Troy didn’t know it, but Colton was actively drawing on his memories, copying what others had done in similar situations. When Troy came barreling at him full speed, he leaped into the air, landing on his opponent’s back for a snapping, snarling roll in the grass. Scooter intervened.
“HOLD! Let’s take a break, guys.”
The bystanders, including Evan and Colton’s family, clapped and hooted as the men shifted back. Scooter blocked the young man from view, handing him a loose pair of shorts. Fighting produced an adrenaline surge in male shifters that sometimes resulted in an erection. The poor teen didn’t need the humiliation of being seen in that state, and a relieved Colton slipped on the shorts with a word of thanks. He and Troy were given something to drink, and then handed towels to wipe off the blood and sweat. Colton surprised Troy with a brief hug.
“That was fun! You’re really good.”
Troy couldn’t help but tease.
“So were you! Listen, if this True Elder gig doesn’t work out, you can come back here and join the security team.”
They all laughed, and Scooter beamed with pride.
“You’re doing great, Colton. I’ve never seen anyone learn and adapt that fast before. During this next round, we’re going to work on finding your opponent’s tell and how to take advantage of it. I have a feeling you’re going to hand Troy his head!”
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Mid-afternoon, Wisconsin
Melva lay in the weak fall sunshine to rest for a while. Running for your life wasn’t recommended for someone in their nineties, even for shifters. She’d gone as far as she could today, resolved to use her remaining strength to find some tasty prey, hunker down for the night, and then continue on tomorrow. At this pace, it would take weeks to reach Gladstone, and she was glad that Lincoln wouldn’t be hampered by her lack of progress. His freedom and safety were paramount, and Melva hoped he didn’t have any trouble along the way.
Her plan was to follow Highway 70 east to Iron Mountain, and then Highway 2 all the way to Gladstone. If only she had her car, none of this would have been necessary! Hitching a ride wouldn’t work, since no human would pick up a naked stranger alongside the road. That would probably get her arrested anyway, though she’d have stories to tell later. Ginny, Melva’s friend at Newald, would laugh her head off at something like that and… wait just a minute!
Newald was in the wrong direction, but if she showed up there, Ginny could drive her to Gladstone in a matter of hours! Yes, this was amuchbetter plan, though it would still take a few days toreach Newald on foot. Even if Bruce showed up, the pack would protect her and eventually she would join Lincoln at Gladstone. While her wolf was enjoying this little adventure, Melva’s human half yearned to be with the sweet Omega and make sure he was all right.
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Towards evening, near Tipler WI
Lincoln washed the blood off his face and paws in the clear stream, taking a long drink while he was there. The otter he’d just dispatched for supper had been a real treat—even better than the fat bunny at lunchtime. He’d made a good thirty miles since the escape, and if he could continue that pace, he’d reach Gladstone with just three more days of travel. Not bad for someone who was out of shape, pregnant, and traveling in unfamiliar territory.
To hide his scent, Lincoln walked through the stream on his way to an unoccupied bear den he’d found that would serve as his shelter for the night. October temperatures got down to the mid-forties after dark, and Lincoln was glad for his fur. No doubt Melva faced the same problem, and he wondered if she was making good progress. Did she get enough to eat today? Had she been caught? What was happening back home?
Huh. Eagle River was no longer his home, but he still cared about his former packmates. If only they didn’t have to put up with Alpha Richmond and Bruce Ballard. People like that shouldn’t be allowed to lead packs, not when they were so cruel and abusive. Maybe the nice folks at Gladstone could do something about it, though they might not want to get involved. He was a complete stranger and they weren’t obliged to help him, though Melva seemed to think they would.
