Page 39 of Shifted Existence

They settled down and went to sleep. Keegan slept at the mouth of the cave. If anything wanted to get her, it would go through him first. The next morning, they began again, covering new ground and speaking to more ferals. Many were like Crystal and didn’t believe.

As they walked away from one such encounter, Keegan placed his hand on her shoulder, saying, “You cannot save those who will not save themselves.”

“I know, but I know we’re right. Staying here is, at best, a death sentence.”

As the sun began to drop below the western horizon, Bailey and Keegan returned to the portal where the other warrior was waiting. Dusk began to settle, and one by one, most of the women came. At least they had come to listen. Whether they chose to take what was offered would be up to them. Bailey vowed to help as many as she could find happiness and to mourn for those who had chosen their own way.

“Most of you know me…” she started, after it seemed all who were going to arrive had done so.

“We knew the human you,” snarled Darla.

“I am as human as you when I am in this form. The difference is I can now shift into another form—that of a large wolf. I am mate to the alpha of the Storm Rift Pack. There was a time that I, like you, thought that to be a fate worse than death. I was wrong.”

There were murmurs of disbelief.

“There is a conspiracy perpetrated by those in the domed capitol. They have lied to us over and over, making the wolf-shifters the bogeymen of our darkest fears and nightmares.”

“They beat their women,” called one of the ferals gathered.

“They don’t see it that way, but yes, they do. The male wolves maintain order and dominance by the use of corporal punishment. If that is a deal-breaker for you, walk away. I have nothing to offer you. But at least for those packs allied with the Storm Rift Pack, it is a way to maintain balance and control. I know how stupid that sounds, but it’s true. My pack and those with whom we are allied, believe the ferals to be in grave danger.”

“Yes, from them,” called Crystal.

“No. From those in power here and one of the two realities that invaded ours. Talon is practical. He cannot save this realm from itself, but he can save this group of ferals.”

“By allowing his men to pick and choose who they will rape?” called a voice from the back.

“No, but let me get through this and you can ask whatever you like. Suffice it to say, I believe you are in danger. Talon and the other packs are offering you sanctuary. But it comes at a price. You will be divided into small groups so no one pack is overwhelmed, and you will be expected to find a mate. If not in the original pack you are assigned to, then in a different one. Unless a wolf claiming you can convince the alpha of your pack that you are his fated mate, you will not be forced into a pair bonding.”

“How long do we have to check this out?” called another voice.

“No time at all,” she said as Keegan opened the portal.

“You can come now, or you can stay, but if you stay I believe you will either be killed or sold off to the highest bidder, and those bidding have no honor. You may be able to avoid the first sweep, but in the end, they will find you.”

“How do we know he won’t just give us up?”

“All I can do is tell you my mate has concern for you and will not allow anyone to harm you in that manner. I know it’s fast—much too fast, but you must decide now.”

“There! In the clearing!” called a distant voice. “I think we have them.”

“Now, Mistress, they must come now,” urged Keegan.

The other warrior beckoned some of the ferals closest to him. Finally, Libby stepped forward. “I don’t know that I believe all this bullshit, but I believe in you, Bailey.”

“Lead them in and get them to the other side,” said Bailey.

One by one the women started into the portal as they heard the other men approaching. At the halfway point she had Keegan take another group of women and the explosives and other supplies.

As the voices got closer, only one woman remained… Crystal. “They’re coming, just like you said they would.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. Crystal, I know all the arguments. I once made them myself, but there is no future for you here, and there is a much better alternative to death. Please, please come.”

“You will hear that often as I fuck you hard,” came the guttural voice of Bardulf as he and a half dozen or so men burst into the clearing.

“Go now, Crystal. I’ll hold them here. Tell Talon… tell him what happened.”

Crystal ran towards the portal, disappearing into the quicksilver of the mirrored surface.

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