Page 60 of Shrouded in the Dark

“W… hat?” Hiccups had now joined my silent sobs.

“I’ll explain everything when we’re back at the cabin. Can you let him go so Jasper and Cody can help him?”

I clutched tighter to Axel’s hand. I’d let him out of my sight before when I’d run like a coward. I didn’t want to let him out of my sight again.

He seemed to understand because his hand squeezed mine. “Cub, I’ll be right behind you. Okay? I swear. Can you let Seth help you?” He managed a small smile.

“Okay.” My death grip on his hand let go.

“Good girl,” Seth mumbled as I felt myself lifted up into his arms. My face nestled into his chest. “We’re not moving until they do.”

I wanted to watch how they were going to help Axel, but Seth was so warm and safe that my muscles relaxed, from being clenched as I’d freaked out, which made my head heavy. The last thing I heard before I passed out was Seth’s voice, humming to me gently.

Chapter 13

Jasper

When Seth had gotten the call from Becca, I’d felt the world tilt. The rogue had found them? Why were they in the woods to begin with? Axel knew better! Oh, dear Moon Goddess, please, protect my pack!

We were in the middle of the range near Winter Park. We’d picked his scent up, but it turned out that it was a false lead. How had it gotten around us when this trail was less than an hour old?

Seth stayed in his human form as he looked at both of us. Our leader was close to losing it, but he was keeping it together for us. Cody was literally vibrating next to me, wanting to run. I could see Seth calculating how fast we could get there.

“We run. Leave the SUV for now. We can get there faster on our feet. I’ll keep trying to call her. Let’s go.”

We could still run faster than most, even in our human forms. Seth crashed through the forest, keeping pace with Cody and me as we bolted toward the cabin. I could smell the cuts that Seth received from the ground but I knew he wouldn’t even notice them. Not when our pack was in danger.

We were still out of range to communicate with Axel. Terror filled my mind as I began to imagine all the scenarios that could be happening. I knew Axel was strong, he was almost as strong as Seth, but he’d be focusing on protecting Becca. My fox reached out soothing me, reminding me to trust in our bear. Minutes passed by as my desperation built.

The sound of Seth’s phone as he tried again to reach Becca with no answer sped us along. The miles between the cabin and us flashed by. We still wouldn’t be there for another fifteen minutes, at the earliest.

We can’t be too late.Cody’s voice filtered through our link.

I knew he was having flashbacks to what happened with his family. To the atrocity that no one should ever have to go through.

We won’t be.Seth pushed through the link, lending Cody strength.Focus on now, Cody. They need us. You are not helpless now.

Right.

As we closed in on the cabin, the familiar link of Axel’s joined us, albeit faint.

Axel? Tell me what’s going on.Our alpha pushed out his awareness to reach out to him.

Rogue. He’s powerful, boss.Axel’s pain radiated through the link, making all of us growl.Almost killed me, I can barely keep awake.Through his pain, the feeling of awe pushed through.I sent Becca off, but she came back. She knows. She… guys, she saved me. She drove the fucker away.

Shock traveled through from all of us at his statement. She’d saved him? From the rogue? How? My fox bristled as it pushed to have us run faster, even though we were all running on a full out sprint. The cabin came into view as we passed it to follow the creek to our bear and woman.

Questions after we get them safely away.Seth interrupted the questions Cody and me sent toward Axel.

The phone barely rang before Seth was answering it. “Becca, we’re two minutes out. What’s happening? Please, tell me you’re unhurt.”

Back to human forms. Keep aware, but if Axel’s sure the rogue's gone, we don’t need to scare Becca anymore then she’s already been.

“We’re coming, baby. Hold on. Stay on the phone with me. Focus on my voice.” Seth, even though we all felt the anger that he was containing, spoke soothingly to our woman.

The change happened to me within one breath to the next. Cody followed right after.

Just as Seth spoke to Becca, letting her know we were almost there, the clearing came into sight.