Page 41 of Finding His Fox

I thought I saw a body strung up there in the branches, but my mind was just playing tricks on me.

Shoving aside old childhood fears, I circled the tree, sniffing for—I didn’t know what exactly. Clues. Any evidence that the monster that murdered Shawn had returned to its old den.

Years ago, after the adults retrieved us and Nate and I went our separate ways, the lead alpha of the pack sent two enforcers to investigate this area.

They uncovered bones, old kills, but the nightmarish creature was gone. Austin, the lead alpha, told me that foul monsters of that variety had a tendency to change hunting grounds.

There were no attacks since, but a part of me always wondered if the wendigo was still lurking in this area.

I paused, studying a small hole nestle between two thick tree trunks with some interest. A small human could fit in there or a larger animal like a fox.

I peered into the hole, wondering if I could fit in there. What would I find inside?

The uncanny feeling of being watched suddenly swept over me. I didn’t like being so exposed. Faint alarm bells rung in my head.

Certainty filled me. I wasn’t the only predator out here tonight.

I spun, catching the faint but unmistakable scent of blood in the air. My muscles tensed, my instincts on high alert.

I ran towards the nearest bushes and crouched low, trying to merge with my surroundings to the best of my abilities. Then I remained still.

Eyes narrowed, I watched the clearing through the bushes. Seconds, then minutes, passed.

I thought I caught the foul smell of carnage and rot in the wind earlier, along with blood. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

Nate, I suddenly thought in alarm. I left him alone in the cabin. This was foolish. I retreated, but before I broke into a run, a thin and inhuman scream pierced the wind.

I froze and thought of that ancient monster that tore Shawn to shreds. Did the creature return, or was my imagination getting the best of me?

When nothing else happened, I decided to run back home.

Back at cabin, I changed back into human form and put on my clothes. To my surprise, I found Nate curled up on the sofa.

He opened his eyes and squinted at me when I entered.

“Where were you?” Nate asked.

“Were you looking for me?”

Nate nodded. “I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to check on you. If you were still awake, I figured we could hang out. Watch some TV.”

“Sure, we could do that,” I agreed. “But let me take a shower first. I just got back from a run.”

Ten minutes later, Nate and I huddled on the sofa. Nate picked a random movie, but I hardly paid any attention to what was playing on the screen.

I breathed in the familiar scent of Nate. Nate was safe, and he was right next to me, I reminded myself. My future mate wasn’t going anywhere.

“Do you usually go jogging in the middle of the night?” Nate asked me.

“My fox felt restless. I figured a run could do me some good,” I answered.

“Did you see any interesting out there?” Nate asked in a joking manner.

I fell silent and debated telling him about my suspicions, but ultimately decided against it. I had no hard evidence the wendigo was back, so I only grunted in response.

Nate took that as a no and simply rested his handsome head against my shoulder. Within fifteen minutes of the movie, Nate fell asleep.

I entered the realm of dreams soon after.