Page 66 of Wolf Heart

CHAPTER18

JUNIPER

We finish off the rabbit and quickly cover the fire to snuff out the flames and smoke.

My stomach is full, but there’s a knot in my chest because Raven hasn’t returned. All sorts of horrible things I imagine could have happened to him despite Dex saying he'll be fine.

Even though the sun is high overhead, there's still no sign of him.

I catch a flash of yellow at the edge of the forest from the corner of my eye, but when I turn, I don't see anything.

I'm just starting to think I imagined it when birds in the trees chatter.

The flock of crows squawks and bursts from the trees, flying north in the direction we're needing to travel.

And my mind drifts to my mom. Will the witches know how to find her? Or should I not tell them why I’m looking for her?

I need to be smart when we meet with them. Witches have been said to know when someone is hiding something and I can't help feeling the crows will let them know we're here.

I’m caught unaware when Aspen’s arms slip around my waist.

"There you are."

"Sorry, I got lost in thought." I lean into his embrace, feeling protected as much as I can out here in this wilderness with the dangers closing in around us.

"About?" He kisses my neck.

"I was thinking about everything."

I turn in his arms and look him in the eyes. "I thought about what we can do if the witches don't help us. Or how I can find my mom without them. Maybe it's too dangerous."

"You think a little danger scares me? Us?" Aspen pulls me closer and kisses me. "You're going to have to try harder than that, sweetheart."

There’s a low whistle and Aspen tenses.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“Raven. He’s back.” Aspen lifts his chin, pointing in the direction behind me.

I pull out of Aspen’s embrace, suddenly feeling nervous, and whirl around. My hand goes to my throat. Is Raven injured?

But as I watch, Raven strolls along the edge of the forest like there’s nothing wrong and I'm instantly enraged.

I cross the distance between us, and my heart hammers in my chest.

“Were you trying to scare me?” I ask, straightening. “I was worried sick about you.”

“I had to get rid of the scents.” He takes a few more steps and stops to look at me. “Are you done?”

I want to scream, but I doubt it will do any good.

He's as bad as Aspen and Dex, but at least they would have the decency to return sooner than this. Which makes me think Raven stayed away this long on purpose. What if he’d run into the witches and made a deal with them?

Raven strolls over to Aspen and Dex sitting next to the fire.

He’s perfectly at ease.

I want to punch him.

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