Page 61 of Shrouded in the Dark

“I see them!” The relief that rushed through me was only brief.

Becca dropped her phone as she curled up, clinging to one of Axel’s hands. She’d begun to shake uncontrollably.

“Shit.” Cody slowed as we walked into the clearing. “Axel.” Tears filled his eyes, falling down his cheeks.

The clearing we stepped into had rocks of every size strewn everywhere. That was strange but could be filed away for later. There was a large picnic basket with various things strewn about, including Becca’s art pad and pencils. They’d come up here for a picnic? Why wouldn’t Axel stay near the cabin?

My fox hissed at me, reminding me to wait until later to find out what exactly happened after we got our loved ones to the safety of the cabin.

As I got closer, the sight of the injuries that covered Axel, including his neck basically being torn off, had me glancing around again. I knew the rogue was gone, based on the information Axel had given us, but I wanted to sink my teeth into the asshole and tear him apart.

Seth knelt behind Becca. “We’re here. Axel’s going to be okay, baby. He just needs to shift again to finish the healing process.”

“W… hat?” She’d started to hiccup.

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

Becca didn’t reply but Axel spoke, his voice cords were damaged. “Cub, I’ll be right behind you. Okay? I swear. Can you let Seth help you?” His smile was pained, but he was being strong for her.

“Okay.” She let his hand go slowly so that Seth could pick her up.

“Good girl.” Seth gestured to Cody and me. “We’re not moving until they do.” After a minute, he looked to Cody. “Shift.”

Cody quickly shifted again, leaning his head against Axel’s leg.

She’s passed out. Axel, I’m going to lend you power so you can shift again to boost your healing power. I need you to transform back to human again so that Jasper can help you while Cody keeps watch for signs of any other attack.Seth didn’t wait for Axel’s reply to his command.

My fox shuddered at the amount of power he pushed out toward Axel. The grunt of pain from him as he changed to his bear and back again had my fox’s ears pinned back.

FUCK, that was almost worse than getting the fucking wounds!Axel cursed some more through the link, but he was able to stand on his own. He leaned against me heavily as I wrapped an arm around his waist, avoiding the wounds higher up. They’d begun to close, even his neck looked better as skin began to knit together.

“Easy, big guy, I got you.” Even with almost all his weight leaning into me, I didn’t budge. I borrowed more strength from my fox, who gladly gave it to help our bear.

“Cody, I want you to watch from all angles. Go around us in a large circle as we head down.” Seth began to walk toward the cabin.

* * *

Becca

Floating in a blissful peace, I was wrapped in warmth. I didn’t want to move at all. Nothing could hurt me here, I was safe.

“…to wake up.” That rough voice started to pull at me.

“She needs… leave her be.” The other voice was familiar as well.

There was a tickling at the back of my mind as I started to rise from my floating peace. Something had happened, but what was it?

“There she is.”

Jasper. That had been Jasper’s voice. The other two had been Seth and Cody. There was just one voice missing. Axel. Why wasn’t Axel telling them to let me sleep?

Axel.

The monster wolf.

The grizzly bear.

I came to in the next second, jerking upward so fast that the top of my head hit something so hard, I saw stars as I blinked my eyes open.