Page 52 of Luna Cursed

Ciara kept pace with him, stopping when he paused to inspect something. He didn't know how far they were from the car, but it didn't matter. Only the hunt did. There would never just be one wolf stinking of Varg.

The afternoon rolled in, the spring storm returning and darkening the world. There was no fear coming from Ciara. She wasn't afraid of the dark. Tor brushed his body against her, and she placed a hand on his head.

"We keep going. We have to be getting close to the entrance of the caves, and the darkness will give us some cover," she said, her breath pluming in the cool air.

They went slower, Tor leading her around the traps someone had set. They found temporary fencing, chain link panels that locked together and were held in place with concrete blocks. There were warning signs all along them stating that the area had been shut down by the park's department.

"They are really putting on a show, aren't they?" Ciara whispered. They followed the fence until Tor heard voices and drew Ciara back into the underbrush.

She took out a small pair of binoculars and scanned the area. Tor stayed in his wolf form. He wanted the extra senses and to be ready if there were any more scouts.

"Okay, I see a lot of portable gear, like flood lights. The tents look similar to the last camp. Oh, shit. I see Varg," Ciara whispered, her heart rate jumping. Tor could smell her adrenaline, her anger. He needed her to focus, so he nudged her.

"I know, I know. There's a waterway. Oh god, he has an army. There weren't this many last time. It looks like there's a group studying the side of the rock face, but I can't tell what has gotten their attention. It looks like marble. I didn't see this site on any of the caving maps or websites. There's meant to be over two hundred caves in this area alone," Ciara said. She froze and sucked in a breath.

Tor wanted to know what she had seen, but a scent smacked him hard in his snout. It was like honeysuckle and lavender.

Linnea.

Tor's head snapped up, his eyes searching the camp beyond the fence. He saw her, golden braids and all. She didn't look hurt, but she was keeping her eyes downcast, and gods, she looked thin.

Varg stepped out of a tent and lifted her chin, said something to her, and laughed. Red hazed over Tor's vision, his muscles bunching to jump the fence.

Ciara yanked on his ruff. "Tor. Stop. You can't go in there alone. Look at me!"

Tor pulled his head from her grip, a low snarl coming out of him as he whirled on her.

Ciara smacked him on the snout, making him yelp in surprise rather than hurt. "Snap out of it! You are not going to get yourself and probably your sister killed by rushing in there like a moron!"

Tor shoved her off and turned back to the fence. Linnea was so close.

"If you race in there without a plan, I'll never consider mating you," Ciara said, her voice flat and cold. "If you attack them now, they will kill me, you, and Linnea."

That brought Tor back to reality quicker than the smack on his snout. He could already feel their mating bond, even if she couldn't. He couldn't risk the life of his mate. It was the bond that overrode all else.

"She looks okay. She's been smart enough and strong enough to survive Varg this long. She can wait another night," Ciara said, her hand pushing into his fur. "Come on. We need to go and call in back up. The sooner we go, the sooner we can come back and end this."

Tor nodded and pushed against her. Ciara wrapped her arms around his wide neck. "I know, Tor. I know. We will get her, I promise."

Everything suddenly went quiet. The trees stopped rustling; the small animals froze, and the whole camp hushed. Part of the rock wall was glowing with ancient runes, and a doorway slid open.

Dark, intoxicating magic pulsed from the opening, rolling through the camp and forest and making Tor's fur stand on end. It was ancient and terrible and furious.

Fenris.

Tor didn't hesitate. He grabbed the back of Ciara's jacket in his muzzle and tossed her on his back.

"What the hell?" she muttered. Tor shook, forcing her to hold tight onto his fur.

Then he ran like he had never run before. Ciara was cursing, holding onto him for dear life as he raced through the forest like a streak of pale moonlight.

Tor didn't stop until the car was in view. He halted, his feet skidding on the dirt. Ciara slid from him and collapsed on the ground. Tor shifted, his bones snapping and fur disappearing until he was a panting man once more. He lifted Ciara up, opened the car, and dumped her in the front seat.

"Tor, what the fuck is going on?" she demanded, tossing him the keys.

"We need to get out of here right now," he said, his whole body shaking. It took him three times to get his key into the ignition and start the Jeep. "I felt him, Ciara."

"Felt who? You're not making sense!"

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