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“Should we turn back? If they’re waiting for us, they know we’re alone.”
The Mating Gamevan came up the mountain and slowed when they saw us on the side of the road. Tina was behind the wheel and pulled over the best she could. The shoulder was narrow and slushy, and the last thing we needed was a disabled vehicle on the side of the mountain.
Bibi lowered the passenger’s side window. “It’s here? I thought we were going past Woodland Park.”
“No. Just got cut off by someone who wanted to send us a message.”
“We shouldn’t do this now. They’re watching us.” Marissa tightened her grip on my waist.
“We should absolutely do this now,” Bibi countered. “I’ve got a van full of fierce shifters who, by my count, have never lost a fight and every alpha in Sunset Springs on speed dial. You said someone threatened your mother today. If they’re willing to run the two of you off the road, what will they do to her if the Hudaknocker is not safe and sound back where it belongs?”
Marissa swallowed hard enough for me to hear it. “Let’s do it.”
I got back on the road, feeling better having the rest of the team behind us. I could hold my own in a fight, but I had no idea what I was up against. Marissa was human. She had some fire inside her, but she would definitely be a liability if it was me versus moon knew how many.
We drove for a while, and I was getting lost in my thoughts. I was picturing myself as a bear and another animal running beside me.
It wasn’t the first time I’d dreamed of my mate as a shifter, but somehow, it was always Marissa.
She tapped my shoulder. “Here. Pull over.”
There was a turnoff on the side of the road. We weren’t too far outside Woodland Park. The little patch of land was covered with undisturbed snow, which I took as a good sign. Those assholes might be out looking for the Hudaknocker, looking for us, but they hadn’t beat us here.
Marissa took her helmet off and shook out her hair. I took her chin in my hand and kissed her. She needed that kiss, and to be honest, so did I.
“Okay, so here’s the plan,” Bibi said. “Stephanie and I will go with you. Tina and Hugo will stay back in the van. That means we have two humans with us, so if things get hairy, we have backup. Marissa, you lead the way.”
My mate took a deep breath and started down the path. She would stop every so often, take a look around, and keep going.
Finally, she stopped in front of a chunk of rock that jutted out of the ground. “This is where I tossed it.”
“Tossed it?” Bibi raised a brow. “Like, into that ditch?”
“I think so,” Marissa said. “It was dark, and I just wanted to get the whole thing over with. I know. I should’ve been more careful. But I was in a panic and made awful decisions.”
“Understatement of the century,” Bibi said under her breath.
“I’ll climb down there,” I offered. The ditch wasn’t that deep. At least it didn’t look like it. But out of everyone on our team, I was the best equipped to deal with snow.
I didn’t think I’d have to shift, but I was ready to do whatever was needed to get the relic, my mate, and my friends back to Sunset Springs safely.
I put my hand on the rock to steady myself and considered the best path down. In addition to the snow, it was thick with dead brush and brown leaves.
“Bjorn,” Marissa said sharply. “It’s not there.”
“But you just said this was the place,” Stephanie countered.
Marissa shook her head. “I’m ninety-nine-point ninety-nine percent sure it is. But I don’t feel it.” She turned to Bibi. “Do you feel it?”
Bibi drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t.”
“I’m still gonna check.” I started my slow, careful descent into the ditch. “If this thing is as powerful as everyone claims, you could have pissed off the spirits when you tossed it down here.”
“I already feel bad enough without the possibility of awakening ancient spirits.” Marissa wrapped her arms around her middle. “I hope I’m wrong.”
I’d never touched the Hudaknocker, but when Gabe had held it on one of his dates with Wendy, he’d gone into a catatonic-like state. I’d never seen anything like it, and it freaked Bibi out. So Marissa was right. If we were this close to it, one of us should have been able to sense it.
I pushed brush aside, checking roots. Nothing. I had to be careful with each step because I was a big dude, and I’d likely crack the Hudaknocker into pieces if I stepped on it.
