Page 48 of Tracking the Alpha
The wolf growled.
“I realize how that sounds, but I swear he’s fine. According to him, it takes a serious injury to trigger the whole-body-shift thing.”
Her claim led to the wolf retreating a few paces.
Tanis sat up. “It might work for you, too.”
A breathy snort was the reply.
“I’m aware you don’t have a reason to trust me, but I swear, I’m trying to help. Barrett is, too. He’s actually inside the facility trying to find a way to release the other prisoners and stop what the general is doing.”
A chuff of hot air sounded incredulous, or maybe Tanis imagined it.
“Yeah, it’s a little insane. The two of us against a bunch of soldiers, but I don’t really have a choice. It’s either fight, or die.” Tanis rose to her feet, and while the wolf appeared to be listening and not intent on eating her face, she kept a hand on the pommel of her dagger. “Only reason I’m out here is because the major thinks I’m still trying to catch Barrett. They don’t know he’s a man again. I’m supposed to be trying to trap Barrett using you as bait. Only I’ll obviously fail, since he won’t show up. I figure I’ll call the major in the morning and let him know the plan to use you as a honey pot failed.”
Grrr.
“Yeah, I told them it was a shit plan. But didn’t have much of a choice.”
Grawr.
“What else can I tell you?” Tanis shrugged. “I doubt we’ll succeed, but my grandmother didn’t raise a quitter. If I were you, I’d take this chance to run before the soldiers come back. Get as far away as you can, and when you find a safe place, crazy as it sounds, try hurting yourself to see if you’ll change back. Barrett says he swapped into a wolf from a bullet wound, and he shifted back with an arrow to his chest.”
Tanis could barely see the outline of the wolf. Only the sheen of her eyes really appeared in the darkness. That was Tanis’ only warning when the creature lunged.
This time, her reflexes kicked in, and the knife emerged from the sheath. She didn’t have to swing or stab because the wolf impaled herself on the blade.
“Dammit,” Tanis cried out. She withdrew the dagger and readied to strike again, but the wolf slumped to the ground and huddled, whimpering.
Fuck the dark. Tanis retreated for her bag and fumbled backwards with a hand until she unclipped her flashlight. In its bright beam, which bobbled before steadying, she saw the wolf as a shivering furry mass on the ground.
The intense shaking widened Tanis’ eyes, mostly because she couldn’t believe what she saw. Limbs straightened and smoothed as hair receded somehow. She witnessed the transformation from beast to human, and it shook her to the core, especially when the woman said, “That was unpleasant.”
“I’m sorry?” Tanis couldn’t help the questioning lilt.
The woman’s lips twisted. “For what? Saving me from eating more dog food?” She rose and stretched her naked frame. “Oh god, that feels good but cold. Fuck me, it’s chilly out.”
“Hold on. I’ve got some clothes.” Tanis rummaged before handing over some garments. “I don’t have spare shoes, I’m afraid. Just socks.”
“Better than nothing. Besides, don’t think I’d fit in your tiny footwear.” The woman towered over Tanis and, while somewhat gaunt, still had excellent muscle tone.
“I’m Tanis, by the way.”
“Brittany.” Blue eyes regarded her. “Were you shitting me, or is Barrett really inside the facility?”
Tanis nodded. “Everything I told you is true. I helped him slip past security last night. He’s looking for a way to disrupt the operation and free all the patients.”
“You’re a civilian.” Stated, not asked.
“Yes. The major conscripted me by force to capture a wild wolf that escaped captivity. I had no idea what was going on until Barrett turned human and told me what the military was up to. He also told me what happened to the hunters before me who failed.” Her lips turned down.
“General doesn’t like loose ends, or when his plotting goes awry,” Brittany muttered. She raked fingers through her messy hair. “What a clusterfuck.”
“At least you’re free now,” Tanis opined.
“Not really.” The woman’s mouth twisted. “And now neither are you.”
“What?”
