Damn, pecans sounded just about right to Austin. But all that nut cracking might have drawn attention. They had opted for high-protein foods they could easily store and carry, but most of the nuts were peanuts or almonds. Katharine volunteered to hunt for a more substantial meal, but that meant either building a fire or letting their wolves eat for them instead. Either way, it didn’t matter. A Shifter’s true home was in the wild.
Wheeler stood up and stretched his back. “See you boys in a bit. I’m going to get my Irish Spring on, so don’t wait up.” He waggled his eyebrows and swaggered off toward the creek.
Maizy moved her towel next to Austin and sat down, her knees drawn up. “How’s Lexi feeling?”
He kept his emotions controlled and put his arm around her. “Your sister is a warrior, but every warrior needs rest—especially the ones carrying a heavy load.”
Austin looked up at Denver, who had snatched a bottle of water and was dousing himself to wash off the dirt.
Maizy whistled at him, and his cheeks flamed when George and Reno joined in with the catcalls.
“You guys are a bag of nuts,” he muttered, yanking on a pair of camo sweatpants.
Maizy opened a bottle of peroxide and dampened a cotton ball, then dabbed at a cut on her elbow. Austin chuckled with amusement since that kind of injury would heal entirely after shifting, but Maizy still clung to her human habits since she was only recently changed. Lynn had packed a first aid kit for her and the kids—supplies the rest of them didn’t have use for. If anything, at least it provided her with a distraction, which was something they all needed to brighten their spirits.
Denver hopped on one leg in an attempt to put on his boot, but when he lost his balance, he swung his arms comically and fell to his side.
Everyone roared with laughter.
“I just can’t get a break,” he muttered. The ground had dampened from the bottle of water, and a fat chunk of wet earth clung to his right arm.
The twins were howling up in the tree, their laughs high-pitched and childlike.
“Don’t make me come up there,” Denver threatened. “Skedaddle, and eat your beans.”
The two russet-haired boys ducked out of sight, still snorting and coughing from the unexpected entertainment.
Denver winced and then pulled something out of his tangled hair. “All right. Who threw that?”
When Reno laughed, Denver flicked the slimy little bean at him. “Next time you come into my bar, you can fix your own drink.”
Reno nodded. “No sweat. Then give me back my gun.”
Everyone sat at attention when a stick cracked just beyond the fog line. A black horse emerged, his breath heavy, and a satiny sheen on his coat indicating he’d been running a long time. He wasn’t slim like a racehorse, but muscular and impressive in stature like a Clydesdale.
“Reno, put down the gun,” Austin said, rising to his feet.
Reno lowered his rifle only marginally.
The horse had no rider, no saddle, and no bridle.
The impressive animal approached the center of the group and dipped his head twice, throwing back a thick mane of ebony hair. Within seconds, the black stallion shifted into a robust man with dark hair. Maizy averted her eyes, a grin lurking on her face.
“I’m Titan.”
Austin stepped forward. “I’m Austin Cole, Packmaster of the Weston pack. What’s your business?”
“Enzo sent me to offer a hand.”
“To fight with us?”
Titan shook his head. “I’m here to collect the weak and infirm.”
“No one’s infirm here,” Reno said, his voice tight.
Titan bowed. “Forgive my rudeness. I was merely repeating what he said.”
Austin shifted his stance. “Yeah, that sounds like Church.” Austin hadn’t met many horse Shifters, and Titan was every bit as built as his animal. It made him wonder why he wouldn’t offer to fight, given his physical brawn.
Titan lifted his chin. “Do you have children or injured packmates?” His eyes settled on Izzy, who was still snoozing against the oak tree.
“That one’s not injured,” Austin said.
“Shame. I would very much like a woman like that astride my back.”
“I just bet you would,” Denver snapped.
Austin flicked a glance at Lynn. The boys needed to go, but not everyone would be able to fit on the horse. “Hendrix!”
Hendrix scurried down the tree and jumped to the ground.
“I want you to go with Titan.”
“But Lennon—”
“Lynn’s going, and I need someone brave to protect her.” And that wasn’t a line of bullshit.
Lennon peered over the wall of the hideout. “What about me?”
“I need you to keep watch. Both are important jobs.”
“I’m fine,” Lynn said. “There’s no need to fuss over me.”
Maddox helped her up. “Well, I’m fussing. We’ve got everything under control, and you’ll be of better use taking care of Church’s pack than running around in the woods.”
“True,” Titan agreed. “Church’s packmates have suffered casualties, and there doesn’t seem to be enough free hands to care for them. Some of them have extensive injuries and are unable to shift. The Packmaster cannot be in all places at once.”
Lynn lifted her pack. “Well then, it sounds like they need me.”
Austin closed the distance between them, and she gripped his hand.
Her eyes glittered with tears. “You take care of my baby girl. I’ll make sure Lorenzo sends you some help, and that’s something you can count on.”