Chapter 1 - Brad
As I crest the edge of the first rocky outcrop beyond Eccles, a warm breath of air from the nearby desert rushes up to meet me. I turn my nose to it, closing my eyes as I pause to immerse myself in the scents brought to me from the far desert plains.
Below me, the small town glistens with tiny, twinkling lights. Rose Hollow and Eccles are both hidden from human view, deep in the wilderness of Nevada. They are named for the nearby points of Eccles Station and Rose Hollow campground, the villages themselves several miles from the map points and separated by a small range of mountains, as well as the western fork of the road extending from Hafen Way.
I’m too far south to see any sign of Rose Hollow, but I know she’s there, huddled on the other side of the main ridge. The quiet charm of the place has been affected by the military base spreading around it, and the borders are lit by floodlights as my old comrades stalk the perimeter, on guard for enemy activity.
I look to the east of Eccles, where the thick forest and rough slope ease down to the desert plains. There are lights there, too, illuminating the huge stone disc that held the great snake.
Anomaly Eight.
At our last debrief, Rex didn’t ask Sloan any questions about the naming of the being by the military. That is typical of him—good Shadows don’t question their orders—but it has tugged on my mind ever since I heard it.
If this is number eight, where are the other seven?
I shake my head hard, hearing my furry ears slap my skull. I scratch the ground beneath me, and a low growl rumbles in my throat.
I came out here to get away from stress for a while, not twist my mind up into worse knots.
Turning my nose back to the warm wind, I follow the scent of the desert right up to the top of the peak. Below me, to the south, I can see the steep crags falling away from me, and the far-off lines of Hafen Way and the train tracks.
Something tugs on my heart as I think about all the unexplored corners of the earth I’ve never seen. I wanted my work in Wolf’s Shadow to take me places—exciting places. Over the ten years I worked with Rex and my fellow Shadows, I traveled extensively, and I thought I was satisfied enough to settle down.
So why am I so restless?
I turn my gaze east, back to the long, pale plains of the desert. The great distances call to me, almost begging me to come, kissing the sand with my paws as I disappear into another great adventure.
Ancient gods, pack wars, spells, and magic—not enough excitement for me?
I turn back to the north, seeing the lights of Eccles even further away from me now. This is the first time in months I’ve been able to get away by myself, and I didn’t realize how much I needed it. Even though part of me is longing for some action, I also feel a strong draw to return to the town.
The people are so lost. The incursion was devastating for both towns.
Even though I still report to Sloan occasionally and coordinate with Rex, I’m keeping that side of things away from the townsfolk. It’s been a few months since the incursion itself, and a couple of weeks since I was appointed alpha. The transition hasn’t been easy.
Actually, it’s been rougher than the road to hell!
The elders—Gen, Hazel, Gregor, and Mitchell—were initially so shocked, they didn’t protest anything Rex suggested. The legends and rules in the town were entrenched for good reason, and each and every one of them woke up that day to find their worst nightmare had come true.
Azarian had everyone fooled. No one guessed he was trying to awaken the ancient one, and it was unthinkable that anyone would risk the destruction of the entire town—and the surrounding area—for a shot at the legendary power.
Even more disturbing is the way the incursion unfolded. For the people of Eccles, the ritual has only ever ended in destruction. Their entire way of life was centered on protecting themselves and the surrounding populations.
Now the secret is out, and the old playbook is completely obsolete. New ground for us all.
For about a week after the incursion, the town was just shut down. The military activity only made things worse. Scarlett ended up bringing in the guild leaders from Rose Hollow to talk to local producers, and slowly, the town came back to life. The big festival where the other Shadows and I retired was a massive celebration of rebirth.
And now, people seem to have almost forgotten about the snake…
Growling softly, I examine the wind again. I can’t smell anything strange, and my extra senses aren’t alert in any way.
It’s almost like I’m wishing for something to happen.
I shut those thoughts down quickly. I appreciate the opportunity to retire in such a nice place, and to use my leadership skills to help the town rebuild. I wouldn’t want anything to threaten the peace the townsfolk are currently enjoying.
But I know it can’t last.
Sighing, I prick my ears up, listening for the rumble of generators and machinery from the incursion site. I can hear some basic equipment humming away, and detect the faint flare of torches as people move around, keeping an eye on the rock and trying to wring secrets out of it.
