Page 38 of Midnight Moon
Before starting the hunt, we’d all agreed that once we found a deer, one team member would take it back while the other three remained in the forest to find another. Asher was, no doubt, urging one of us to take the creature to claim victory.
I looked at Hunter.I can take the deer back.
Can you carry it?
I assessed the creature. It would be tough, but I could do it.Yes.
Hunter didn’t believe me.I should go with you.
That’s not what we agreed.
You just told me the Coastal Pack attacked our group. I can’t let you go wandering the forest on your own.
We made an agreement, Hunter. One of us needs to stay and help Chase and Asher find a deer.
He huffed.Then you stay, and I’ll take the deer back. I’ll be faster.
It was humbling to admit, but Hunter was right. Without the weight of the deer, I could match him in speed, but with the deer, there was no denying he was better built to carry the burden.
I had many qualities that would make me a great alpha someday, but physical inferiority to males was one I’d never be able to conquer—and it was my doubters’ favorite grievance against me.
Blair?
I cleared away the negative thoughts, reminding myself to focus on the task at hand.You’re right. You should take the deer back.
Hunter blinked, surprised.You sure?
Yes.
With any luck, Hunter would be the first to return and we’d claim victory. That’s what mattered. I couldn’t let the desire to prove myself get in the way.
All right. Be careful.Hunter nudged the deer to expose its neck. He clamped his large jaw around the creature and lifted it off the ground.
My partner spared me one last glance before bounding away. The deer’s hooves drag along the forest floor for a bit.
Then, the sound faded away, and I was alone with the Wilds shifters.
Eleven
The grey wolf yipped,then ran the opposite direction as Hunter. I glimpsed his fluffy tail just before it disappeared. Asher was nowhere to be seen. He’d already taken off in search of a second deer.
Once again, I took care not to make too much noise as I ran after Chase. We scoured the trees and sniffed the bases of thick brambles. We inhaled the breeze and inspected the rocks on the ground, moving in a zig-zag pattern until we caught up to Asher near a rocky outcropping that overlooked the autumn-tinged trees.
Asher’s snout was raised in the air, sniffing. Then, he raced down the rocky terrain, not at all slowed by the unstable ground.
Chase moved with just as much agility. I did my best, but I couldn’t keep up with either of them. For such large wolves, they moved with surprising grace.
Chase slowed to allow me to catch up. Asher continued on without a backwards glance.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like much of an asset. I only slowed them down.
An hour passed.
I was just about to try to communicate that they should go ahead without me when Asher suddenly stopped.
Chase and I followed his example. My chest rose and fell in rapid succession as I used the opportunity to catch my breath.
About twenty yards ahead, I watched Asher’s massive head tilt back as he lifted his snout in the air.
