Page 22 of Tracking the Alpha (Project Therianthrope #1)

Maybe this wolf was just a wolf. Or, like the coyote, had lost its mind.

Tanis leaned her head back and closed her eyes, listening to the commotion as the wolf tested the limits of the tether.

Howled and snarled and barked in frustration.

It took a bit before the creature quieted.

Full dark had fallen in that time, and without the full moon, Tanis found it hard to see much.

Some hunters used nighttime-vision goggles.

Tanis relied more on her senses. She’d had a friend in school compare her to Luke using the Force.

Same concept. Tanis listened. Felt. Trusted her instincts.

Pity those instincts couldn’t see what the wolf had been doing while being seemingly quiet.

Only a disturbance of air currents warned, leaving Tanis barely time to react. Her arms came up just as the wolf slammed into her!

Like with the coyote, Tanis found herself fighting for her life. Hands up straining to hold snapping teeth at bay. Heaving under the weight of the wolf, which proved just enough she couldn’t easily dislodge it.

“Stop it,” she huffed. “Dammit, I’m here to help you.”

The words didn’t stop the frenzied gnashing of teeth or the dribble of drool that hit her in the cheek.

“I wish I knew if you were like Barrett,” Tanis grunted as she held a single forearm against the throat of the beast, taking a risk to reach for her knife.

The wolf suddenly stilled and made a soft whining noise.

The sudden cessation of violence had Tanis wondering what happened to gentle the wolf. It hit her, and she exclaimed, “Barrett. You know him?”

The wolf made a noise.

“I’m sorry, I can’t understand you, but you obviously understand me. Listen, this might sound crazy, but I might be able to help you change back to your human body.”

The beast went so still it might have been a statue.

Tanis definitely had her attention. “Barrett and I found the trick out by accident when I shot him with an arrow.”

The wolf growled.

“I realize how that sounds, but I swear he’s fine. According to him, it takes a serious injury to trigger the whole-body-shift thing.”

Her claim led to the wolf retreating a few paces.

Tanis sat up. “It might work for you, too.”

A breathy snort was the reply.

“I’m aware you don’t have a reason to trust me, but I swear, I’m trying to help. Barrett is, too. He’s actually inside the facility trying to find a way to release the other prisoners and stop what the general is doing.”

A chuff of hot air sounded incredulous, or maybe Tanis imagined it.

“Yeah, it’s a little insane. The two of us against a bunch of soldiers, but I don’t really have a choice.

It’s either fight, or die.” Tanis rose to her feet, and while the wolf appeared to be listening and not intent on eating her face, she kept a hand on the pommel of her dagger.

“Only reason I’m out here is because the major thinks I’m still trying to catch Barrett.

They don’t know he’s a man again. I’m supposed to be trying to trap Barrett using you as bait.

Only I’ll obviously fail, since he won’t show up.

I figure I’ll call the major in the morning and let him know the plan to use you as a honey pot failed. ”

Grrr .

“Yeah, I told them it was a shit plan. But didn’t have much of a choice.”

Grawr .

“What else can I tell you?” Tanis shrugged.

“I doubt we’ll succeed, but my grandmother didn’t raise a quitter.

If I were you, I’d take this chance to run before the soldiers come back.

Get as far away as you can, and when you find a safe place, crazy as it sounds, try hurting yourself to see if you’ll change back.

Barrett says he swapped into a wolf from a bullet wound, and he shifted back with an arrow to his chest.”

Tanis could barely see the outline of the wolf. Only the sheen of her eyes really appeared in the darkness. That was Tanis’ only warning when the creature lunged.

This time, her reflexes kicked in, and the knife emerged from the sheath. She didn’t have to swing or stab because the wolf impaled herself on the blade.

“Dammit,” Tanis cried out. She withdrew the dagger and readied to strike again, but the wolf slumped to the ground and huddled, whimpering.

Fuck the dark. Tanis retreated for her bag and fumbled backwards with a hand until she unclipped her flashlight. In its bright beam, which bobbled before steadying, she saw the wolf as a shivering furry mass on the ground.

The intense shaking widened Tanis’ eyes, mostly because she couldn’t believe what she saw. Limbs straightened and smoothed as hair receded somehow. She witnessed the transformation from beast to human, and it shook her to the core, especially when the woman said, “That was unpleasant.”

“I’m sorry?” Tanis couldn’t help the questioning lilt.

The woman’s lips twisted. “For what? Saving me from eating more dog food?” She rose and stretched her naked frame. “Oh god, that feels good but cold. Fuck me, it’s chilly out.”

“Hold on. I’ve got some clothes.” Tanis rummaged before handing over some garments. “I don’t have spare shoes, I’m afraid. Just socks.”

“Better than nothing. Besides, don’t think I’d fit in your tiny footwear.” The woman towered over Tanis and, while somewhat gaunt, still had excellent muscle tone.

“I’m Tanis, by the way.”

“Brittany.” Blue eyes regarded her. “Were you shitting me, or is Barrett really inside the facility?”

Tanis nodded. “Everything I told you is true. I helped him slip past security last night. He’s looking for a way to disrupt the operation and free all the patients.”

“You’re a civilian.” Stated, not asked.

“Yes. The major conscripted me by force to capture a wild wolf that escaped captivity. I had no idea what was going on until Barrett turned human and told me what the military was up to. He also told me what happened to the hunters before me who failed.” Her lips turned down.

“General doesn’t like loose ends, or when his plotting goes awry,” Brittany muttered. She raked fingers through her messy hair. “What a clusterfuck.”

“At least you’re free now,” Tanis opined.

“Not really.” The woman’s mouth twisted. “And now neither are you.”

“What?”

“Major Stevens had a feeling you were lying to him,” Brittany stated as bushes rustled.

Tanis felt her stomach sink. “You’re working with him.”

“I’m obeying my superior officer,” Brittany corrected.

“As all good soldiers should,” said the major, emerging from the shadows with a gun pointed.

“Oh shit,” Tanis murmured as she realized how badly she’d messed up. She spun on her heel, ready to bolt, but Brittany moved fast and slammed into Tanis, taking her to the ground.

“Since we don’t need her anymore to catch Barrett, want me to take her out?” grunted Brittany as she pressed her knee hard in Tanis’ back while her hand pushed on her head hard enough to grind her cheek into the mossy ground.

“Keep her alive. I’ve got some hungry predators back at the facility who love fresh meat.” The most chilling thing Tanis had ever heard. Stevens crouched down to peer at Tanis. “I knew you were keeping secrets. Guess your betrayal explains your failure.”

“What you’re doing is wrong,” Tanis spat.

“Do you know how many visionaries were told that exact same thing? A good thing the general doesn’t listen.”

“You won’t get away with it,” Tanis stated.

“We already have, and now that I know Barrett is inside the walls, we no longer have to worry about loose lips or ends.” Stevens rose from his crouch. “I’m going to contact the general and let him know about Patient 73. You’re in charge of bringing back the huntress.”

“Yes, sir,” Brittany quipped as the major walked off, murmuring into his walkie-talkie.

“Don’t do this,” Tanis begged.

“Quiet,” Brittany barked as she rose from her kneeling position.

Tanis flipped to face her. “Why are you helping the asshole who did this to you?”

“You mean the genius who made it so I can keep up with the boys?” Brittany’s lips quirked. “Not all of us see this as a bad thing.”

“You can’t be serious. You were just a wolf. You complained about having to eat dog food.”

Brittany laughed. “And you bought it.”

“I can’t believe you betrayed Barrett. He was going to save you.”

“I don’t need saving and I am not listening to this the entire ride back,” Brittany grumbled.

The last thing Tanis heard before the fist she couldn’t avoid cracked her head sideways. A second blow ensured darkness snared her in its embrace.