Page 70 of Ethan
“It’s over,” I promised. “You’re safe now.”
He whimpered softly and crawled forward a few inches, still on his belly.
“You hurt?” I asked.
He shook his head. Or maybe it was just a tremble. I reached out slowly and brushed my fingers over his head, then down his spine. No blood. No obvious injuries. I exhaled.
“Stay here, alright? Don’t move until I come back,” I told him firmly.
He tucked his head under his paws.
Then I heard a scream. It was muffled, but nearby. Not a wolf howl. Human. Ethan. My heart dropped.
I looked at Micah one last time, pointing with my eyes to the floor and growling low to keep him there. He whimpered in response and curled tighter into himself.
I bolted. Back through the kitchen, over broken furniture and splintered tile. The scream had come from the west, near the ravine behind the cabin.
I exploded through the back door, feet tearing into the dirt as I ran and shifted. The ravine came into view just beyond the tree line.
I finally saw Ethan. He was backed up against a crumbling stone outcrop, shirt torn, blood running down his arm.
A wild wolf, bigger than the one from the cabin, paced before him, snarling low and furious. Ethan held a long branch like a spear, hands trembling.
I didn’t think, simply launched forward with a roar. The wolf barely had time to turn before I slammed into it, jaws locking onto its flank. We tumbled down the short slope in a tangle of limbs, teeth, and fur.
I tore into it with everything I had, rage and fear lending me strength I didn’t know I still possessed.
It fought dirty, went for my underbelly, my legs, but I was faster. A bite to its neck ended it. I stood over its body, panting, fur dripping blood.
Ethan was above me now, eyes wide and horrified. He dropped the branch, stumbling toward me.
I shifted back, collapsing to my knees. “You okay?”
He nodded, but he was pale. “Micah?”
“Alive. Safe. In the cabin,” I told him.
He exhaled, shaky and relieved, then dropped to his knees beside me. “You came.”
“Of course I came,” I rasped. “Why the hell didn’t you wait?”
He didn’t answer. Just leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine. Then, he suddenly looked at me, frantic.
“Maurice,” he suddenly said. “We got separated!”
“What?” My heart nearly stopped.
We heard a series of snarls nearby. The fight wasn’t over but I recognised one of the growls. Griffin. Relief filled me. .
“Griffin probably found him, I’ll head to where they are,” I said quickly, shoving my wolf’s urgency to the surface. “You check on Micah.”
Ethan’s eyes snapped to mine. “You sure?”
“Go,” I growled, already moving. “I’ll find them.”
I launched myself into the undergrowth, my paws barely touching the ground as I raced toward the trees.
The scent of blood thickened the air. Old pine, churned dirt, fear. I tracked Griffin by scent. He was just ahead, already engaging.
