When Austin appeared in the distance, my heart soared. I couldn’t take my eyes off his body as I searched for injuries or blood. His gait was confident—no limp or impairment to his stride. He didn’t have on a shirt, and the right side of his torso was caked in mud.
He dropped his bag and cradled my head in his hands, pressing his forehead to mine. “Just let me breathe you in,” he whispered.
I touched his chest, feeling a thunderous beat. “Where is everyone?”
Maizy passed by us, and I heard her chattering with April.
Austin kissed the corner of my mouth. “They needed to rest. Axel reported fewer attacks on his end, but he still can’t be sure if anyone’s slipping through the cracks. Church sent some of his men, and they’re joining up with William’s camp.”
“William?”
“He’s the highest in rank. The best move I ever made was accepting him into this pack. Only Reno can be second-in-command, but Will’s got experience, and that gives me two betas. I’m dividing the pack, and he’ll be in charge of the rest of the crew.”
Austin’s hands ran down to my belly, and it seemed as if the worry lines in his face smoothed away. “Maizy was worried about you, so Denver made her come with me.”
“Is Naya with them?”
Austin put his arm around me, and we walked toward the camp. “Everyone’s accounted for, but Naya said she was joining our group a little later. I think Denver is giving her an ulcer.”
I snorted. “Sounds about right. Not to mention her and Maddox’s animals get along like—”
“Cats and dogs?” he said, finishing my thought. “Most cats are loners and don’t work well together. I still can’t believe Lynn talked him into living with us.”
“I think he enjoys the company of our pack more than he’d like to admit.”
Austin slowed his pace as we neared a fallen branch. “Maddox split off to monitor the western half of the property line. He thought a mountain lion pissing all over the territory would confuse the hell out of them.”
“Yeah, nothing will scare off a bunch of grown men like Maddox’s pee.”
He popped me on the behind. “Come on, smartass. My mother killed some rabbits, and they’re in my bag. We’re building a fire and having stew tonight.”
“Yum. Freshly killed meat. My fave,” I teased, tucking tighter against him.
We had agreed to only light campfires on the rare occasions when we needed something of more sustenance. While the thought of eating a hot meal filled me with excitement, I couldn’t shake off a sense of foreboding that settled deep in my marrow.
Something told me that a mammoth of a storm was on its way.
Chapter 29
Nightfall.
Whether you’re indoors or out, a fire always brings a primal sense of comfort to the soul, with its reassuring warmth and generous light. Shifters are naturally drawn to the sense of unity it brings to a pack, and we usually kept one going in winter, even though our home had sufficient heating.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve never tasted anything so delicious,” I said, slurping on my second bowl of rabbit stew.
Austin puffed out his chest and tossed a stick into the fire. He’d put on a long-sleeve shirt to make the mosquitoes work for their meal. Most of us had gathered rocks to sit on, except for Reno and April, who were relaxing on towels. Earlier, Reno had attempted to drag a log to our campfire but had failed to notice the beehive inside one end. After he fought off a swarm, he decided comfort wasn’t worth suffering for. April set down her bowl and leaned against him.
They sat in front of me on the other side of the fire, and we watched the mesmerizing flames, which had mostly died down. The woods behind me had dense ferns, wild grass, and what appeared to be poison oak. Behind April were twisted limbs and shrubs so thick they were impassable.
“Not my usual cup of tea, but delish.” Naya patted my left hand. “All we’re missing are yeast rolls for sopping.”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” Wheeler said, drinking his bowl without a spoon.
Maizy raised her water bottle at Reno. “Thanks for walking five miles to get the fire pot.”
We had a stash of utensils and cookware at a nearby campsite. Instead of moving, Reno took off and picked up a few items to cook up the meat. We probably wouldn’t be having a hot meal for another week or more, so we couldn’t let the rabbit go to waste. We didn’t have a bunker at this location, but at least we had two tents.
I set down my bowl, listening to Wheeler and Naya talking about artists.
“Hey, you want to lie down?” Austin asked me, his voice quiet.
“What makes you ask?”
He kissed my neck. “Your blinks are getting longer. Come on.”
With a little help, I stood up and leaned against Austin while we headed toward our tent.
“Put the fire out in ten minutes,” he said to Reno. “Bury the ashes and clean it up good.”
“How do you know they won’t come after us?” I asked.
He hugged me close. “The men we fought were in no condition to traverse through the woods at night and start another battle. None got away, but with the casualties they’re suffering and having to get past Axel’s men, it’s wearing them down.”