Chapter 19

W ulfric's voice was deep and melodic as he outlined a plan to go into the Growler camp. Scarlet was so tired and cold, she wanted to just curl up and listen to him as she drifted off to sleep. Her fuzzy brain was probably why she let him take the lead.

They had some reconnaissance to do. He pointed with the tip of the dagger.

"These are the Elder's tents, and this is the only wooden permanent structure in camp. The longhouse is where we take most of our meals, so there's always a crowd there."

"And you want to walk right past it?" She shook her head. This is not how she'd accomplished missions for the Hunters.

He drew in the dirt on the edge of the camp's circular shape. "Ideally, no, but I need to see who's on watch first. If it's some of Brody's friends, then I'll need to go around them and talk to one of the Elders."

He marked seven spots around the camp drawing. "These are where the guards normally roam. They're evenly spaced and make clockwise circles. Then there's the outer perimeter watch in a wider circle here, going in the opposite direction. I'll have to sneak past both of them."

She bit her lip, her stomach flipping from nerves. That was a decent technique that she needed to share with Knox when she got back to Vidrland.

If she got back. She might not survive the night. Her skin crawled being this close to the Growlers' camp. All her instincts were screaming at her to run away. Well, the deer and rabbit sides of her anyway.

Part of her wanted to march straight into camp and demand they help break her curses. But that wasn't the only reason she was here. She had to help Wulfric first and trust he knew what he was doing.

She hated that feeling of helplessness, of needing to rely on him. She ground her teeth together and nodded.

"Alright, so you need to find a guard and talk to them. Find out what's been going on the past few days. Don't go through the guard circles into camp. That's too dangerous. Just do a reconnaissance mission tonight, alright?"

He beamed at her and nodded. "Yes, that's exactly it."

The way he looked at her made her swell with pride, but she tamped it down.

She nodded, and her other dagger flashed in the shadows. "Great, let's go then."

He frowned and shook his head. "No, I need to find the guard alone. They'll smell you from a mile off."

"But what about the glocken berry bond? If you go too far, we'll both be weak and sick." She did not want to feel that nausea anymore.

He shifted to his knees and cupped her face with one hand, the dagger hanging loosely from his other at his side.

"We should be able to skirt the edge of the bond and keep you downwind so they don't smell you. Don't worry, bunny. We'll both be alright."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he leaned forward and kissed her softly. It didn't feel like goodbye, but she was more nervous than she'd been since her first mission as a Hunter. She'd woken up with this feeling of dread that had lingered in her mind all day. Something was going to happen. She could feel it in her soul. That same warning that had put her on alert the night Knox had broken her and the rest out of the dungeon. The same feeling that she got on missions, that had warned her of her parents' deaths…

He pulled back and smiled reassuringly. "Come on, let's circle around to get downwind. Then I'll head to the first set of guards and do some talking."

He stood and offered his hand. She took it, frowning in surprise. He was such a gentleman, and it still surprised her. He handed her dagger back, and she felt more at ease with it in her hand. "Right, talk. You sure you don't want me to come and watch your back?"

He grinned and hefted the bags. "Nah, it'll be better this way. We don't want to hurt them, after all."

He took a step then turned back to her with a frown. "You won't hurt them either, right?"

She sniffed and twirled a dagger. "Only if they give me a reason to hurt them," she said, her lips pressed into a thin line.

He sighed and shook his head, but the grin on his lips betrayed his true feelings. "Gods know I love how fierce you are and how you can handle yourself, but don't forget that they're my family, the only one I've had for ten long years. Come on," he said, taking her hand in his once more.

He was proud of her, Hunter skills and all. She blinked, feeling a knot loosen in her stomach. It had been a while since someone had been proud of her like that. Not since her dad had taken her on Ranger missions. They walked away from the river and deeper into the forest, their feet silent.

Eventually, he took the bags off his back and slipped his shirt off, shoving it inside. The pants and boots followed, and she couldn't take her eyes off him.

She hadn't asked him about shifting, but then he knelt on the ground and lifted a small bush. He pulled out a canvas bag, and her eyebrows rose.

Silently, he pulled on loose brown pants. The way the sound carried in the stillness, they were probably canvas or leather. It was too dark to tell.

When he secured the pants with the drawstring and stood barefoot and shirtless, he grinned and leaned in.

His intoxicating scent enveloped her like a comforting hug before his lips met hers. The kiss felt giddy, and she knew he was looking forward to the hunt. Even if it was only hunting information, she had to trust him to come back to her.

He wouldn't leave her alone in the middle of the Feral Forest with her enemies all around. Not with how adamant he was about protecting his mate. He leaned back, his bright teeth flashing with a grin before he saluted.

Knees bent, Wulfric held his finger to his lips in the universal gesture to be quiet. His eyes glowed in the darkness.

"Wait here," he mouthed before slipping around a tree on silent feet, walking silently toward the southeast.

Scarlet left their bags at the base of the tree and pulled her daggers out. She trusted him to come back, but she wasn't going to be caught defenseless just in case something happened.

She barely heard Wulfric as she moved on the balls of her feet to watch his shadow move from tree to tree.

Then she lost him.

The hair on the back of her neck stood in awareness. It was eerily quiet, not even his steps echoing in the darkness. She blinked and stretched her senses, straining to find his peculiar double aura.

But it was gone. She pushed her other senses, desperate to smell him or sense his heartbeat.

For almost half an hour, there was nothing. Not even forest animals roamed nearby. They'd probably left this part of the forest to the larger predators long ago.

She had never wanted to be the little wife who was left waiting by the fire while her husband went off adventuring. That was what had killed her mom, and she wasn't going to fall prey to the same mistake. At the moment, she wished she was inside by the fire though. It was so cold, and the longer she waited, the colder and darker it became.

She blew into her hands, her gloves not even close to being thick enough. She took a deep breath to blow again, but picked up the scent of someone else. Her nose flared, and her daggers came up slowly. The scent grew stronger, and panic threatened to claw at her throat. She hesitated to even swallow or breathe, afraid the nearing enemy would pick up the movement or sound.

This was it. This was how she would die.

She frowned and shook her head. Fuck that, she wouldn't go down without a fight. She sensed the creature coming closer, and Scarlet leaned around the tree to see the target, reaching for her dagger.

A shadow launched itself, throwing her off balance and making them both roll as they landed on the frozen ground. Claws bit into her shoulder, and her hood twisted to half cover her face.

She couldn't see her attacker, but there was no doubt it was a Growler. She swung her daggers, the familiar feel of flesh ripping beneath her hands. The coppery scent of blood hit her nose, and her nostrils widened as she panted, rolling them both until she straddled the creature.

It was definitely a Growler, but this one was smaller than Wulfric's shifted form, closer to Scarlet's own petite frame. She sliced shallowly and then back-handed the thing with the butt of her dagger.

A loud yip ripped through the air, piercing her ear drums. Scarlet winced and settled back on her haunches, one forearm pressed into the throat of the small thing.

"Stop fighting me, damn it. I'm not here to fight," Scarlet whispered, shoving a knee over the lower legs and another over the left arm. She slammed her elbow into its throat, and it made a garbled noise even as Scarlet reached over and pinned the free arm.

"Stop, you little fucker. I only want information," Scarlet hissed, expanding her senses to see if others were around. This one might be a decoy to distract her.

But no other scents, sounds, or auras flared. The wolf beneath her whined, and she eased up on the elbow to the throat. Scarlet frowned, seeing the same two-toned aura that Wulfric had but in red and gold instead of blue and silver.

"Who are you?" hissed the wolf, licking its lips.

Scarlet gave the only answer that might get her some answers. "Granddaughter of the druid."

The wolf's eyes went wide and another whine slipped free. The creature seemed to shake with fear as it gasped, "Please, don't hurt me. I'll do whatever you want."

"Why are you so scared of the druid?" Scarlet asked, not for the first time wondering why this reaction. She'd sensed some of it with Wulfric at first, but he'd been so injured, she'd thought it was because he was afraid of dying.

"She… there are tales of when she came here years ago. She almost wiped out the tribe before a truce was called."

Scarlet blinked and frowned. What the hell? Why hadn't she known this? Had her dad known about it? What had her grandmother done?

She shook her head. There was no time for that. She applied slightly more pressure on the throat then let up, her dagger gleaming next to the Growler's cheek.

It swallowed hard as Scarlet continued. "So you know what I'm capable of and you'll cooperate?"

The wolf nodded, flailing as it choked. Scarlet let off her throat but kept the dagger close.

"What's the political climate in the tribe? Who's in charge?"

The Growler whimpered, "The—the druid knows?"

Scarlet's eyes narrowed. "Knows what?"

The Growler wiggled, but Scarlet didn't let it up. "The alpha is missing. Brody says he was killed on patrol and took over with his three friends."

Wulfric had mentioned that name. Dread settled through her spine like ice.

"Then yes, the druid knows. How does the tribe feel about alpha's absence and Brody's leadership?"

The Growler licked its lips, but didn't answer, golden eyes wide. Scarlet applied more pressure, and magic swirled under her.

She couldn't watch the morphing features but she held onto the arms and legs with a firm grip. When she felt the wiggling and warmth of magic stop, she opened her eyes.

A youthful girl stared up at her with tears in her eyes. Black hair was spread on the ground with pine needles, and one of her wolf's ears was flopped over, slightly twitching. She was like a hairy human girl, but with a fur-covered nose and pointed animal ears.

The girl sobbed, "Brody says alpha Wulfric is dead. The Elders aren't happy. Please, don't hurt me." The words broke on another sob, and Scarlet frowned.

"I'm only going to hurt you if you move without my permission. Don't move unless I say to move, understand? If you do, it'll be the last action you take."

The girl's jaw dropped as she blanched but she nodded, tears pouring down her temples into black hair. Scarlet eased back, crouching in front of her with daggers ready. The girl's face began to crumple as her mouth opened to suck in more air, preparing to cry, but Scarlet had to stop her. The sound might attract others.

"Hush and sit up slowly. Cover yourself." Scarlet said softly, expanding her senses and feeling no one else nearby. The girl did so, covering her breasts and bringing her knees up protectively as she hid her face in her hands.

"Now, I'm not going to hurt you, but there's more that I need to know. You're going to answer all my questions. Yes?"

The girl nodded, wiping her tears and nose. Quickly, Scarlet grilled her with question after question. Wulfric had been right about the situation. Brody had taken over, but the girl didn't know much.

Young adults were apparently focused on their first shifts, the opposite sex, and the upcoming full moon run tomorrow night.

"What are you doing out here? This is outside of the camp's perimeters." Scarlet spoke with the weight of authority. She didn't doubt what Wulfric had said.

The girl nodded again. "Yes, my dad is on outside watch, but I was going to meet some friends. There's a popular spot to the east, a small set of ruins."

"Ruins? The ones by the cliffs and the Southern Road?" Scarlet asked, remembering when she'd gone there with her grandma as a child. It had been a year after her mom had been killed, and Grandma had simply walked through the forest like she'd owned the place.

Scarlet had been terrified, despite Grandma's reassurances.

Her jaw clenched as the girl nodded, ducking her head to stare at the ground.

"Like those, but smaller. In the forest. It's where we go to escape the adults and meet the other tribes' youths."

Scarlet tossed her dagger, catching it easily as she thought. The girl watched her warily, scooting back inch by inch slowly.

Scarlet didn't stop her as she spread her senses once more to check their surroundings. No one, not even Wulfric. He should've come back by now. He was only supposed to find information, but she had a sinking suspicion that he had continued on into the heart of camp.

Stupid Growler. He was the one who'd said they'd be stronger together.

"What's your name, girl?" Scarlet asked as she stood.

The girl froze, then whispered, "Sasha."

Scarlet offered her a hand, but she just stared at it. "Here's the deal, Sasha. You're going to take me to your father and convince him not to attack me. I have more questions."

Sasha scrambled to her feet without taking Scarlet's hand. "But I'm not supposed to be out here. My friends—"

"Will respect you for helping the druid's kin. You can tell your parents you heard me calling to you if you'd like."

"Can—can you do that?" Sasha asked, fear tinging her voice as she bounced from foot to foot.

Scarlet smiled and spun her dagger but didn't answer the question. Sasha whimpered once more, eyes watching the blade, and nodded before stepping away.

"Don't attract the attention of the other guards. Only your father," Scarlet warned.

The girl didn't turn her back fully to Scarlet but still led her through the trees. Scarlet left their bags where they were.

If she had to fight her way out, they'd only slow her down.