AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She set him free. Now he was going to free her of danger. He was going to find and kill every man her monster had sent for her. And then he was going to find her monster and send him to hell.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gunner made himself as comfortable as possible in the big limbs of the oak. He’d fashioned a rudimentary platform that offered some protection against being spotted, but still afforded him the view he required.
He’d made sure to stay within a hundred yards of the men searching for Oakley, and left a clear trail. At least until a hundred yards from his perch, and then he made sure the trail ended.
Sure enough, just at twilight they appeared, walking in single file. Apparently they weren’t all that well trained. The man in the rear didn’t watch the rear, just the men ahead of him. That worked for Gunner.
One silent shot preceded that rear man falling. Ironically, those in front of him didn’t notice. They were too busy looking around, clearly out of their element, and nervous. Gunner picked them off one by one, and when it was done, cleaned his weapon and made himself comfortable. He’d stay until morning to see if the bodies attracted any attention. If wolves showed up, maybe Ba’Cho or Nashoba would be with them and help him locate Oakley.
Three hours before dawn, he heard it. Wolf howl. He wished he understood the communication, but since he didn’t and couldn’t communicate with wild wolves, his focus was on staying well away from them.
Gunner waited until daylight, then sent the drone aloft. Despite an increasing eagerness to continue his march, he spent two hours carefully searching. He was about ready to call it quits when he saw them. Twowolves. Big wolves. Just inside the tree line. A sense of excitement sprang to life. It was Nashoba and Ba’Cho.
He carefully set the drone down in the clearing, turning off everything but the camera. The wolves sniffed at it, then vanished. Gunner thought about bringing the drone home, but something told him to wait.
And so he did. For an hour. Nothing happened, and he chided himself for wasting time. He powered up the drone and was about to lift off when a wolf reappeared. Ba’Cho. The wolf used his paw to tap ground in front of the drone, then turn and walk away, stop and look back. Gunner didn’t understand. Ba’Cho repeated the motion, tapped the ground, and this time looked into the forest and then at the drone. It yipped and looked into the forest again.
It seemed he was asking to be followed, so that’s what Gunner did. He lifted the drone into the air and followed. Sure enough, Ba’Cho walked about a half mile along the tree line, then stopped beside a big rock. He tapped the ground, looked up at the drone, tapped again, then disappeared into the trees.
Gunner lowered the drone. He could see a patch of dirt that had been stamped on, packing the ground until it was a smooth surface. On it, probably written with a stick, were the words “Follow. Ba’Cho. We will meet.”
Gunner wasted no time, and he’d been traveling for less than an hour when Ba’Cho appeared beside him. With Ba’Cho by his side, Gunner felt more confident traveling in the dark. The wolf would help him steer clear of dangerous footing.
And with Oakley headed for him, that cut his travel time. Eager to reach her, he walked at a fast pace, which seemed to have little impact on Ba’Cho.
Gunner watched the wolf, thinking about what Oakley originally set out to do. Did she still mean to continue toward that goal? Is it even possible to get a pack to accept two grown wolves who will probably fight for dominance? Is it fair to put her wolves in that position?
He didn’t know the answer, and that wasn’t what mattered. What mattered was being there for Oakley and the wolves, whatever that involved. He promised, and no one was going to stop him from honoring that promise.
And so he walked through the night, following Ba’Cho. The horizon was just starting to lighten as they reached the crest of a hill and looked out over the valley. Gunner’s chest tightened at the sight.
There she stood. On the valley floor, surrounded by wolves, with Nashoba by her side. She saw him and raised one hand. Even from this distance, he felt her. How odd. He’d never experienced this kind of awareness to another. He actually felt her intention a split second before she took off, running towards him.
What a sight. A gorgeous female warrior, running flat out. Legs and arms pumping like pistons, eyes focused on her goal. Him. The wolves followed, staying behind her and Nashoba, who gave Oakley a quick glance before turning on the heat.
Watching Nashoba run was like watching art. His strength, speed and agility were incredible. Gunner realized Nashoba’s intent soon enough to prepare. When Nashoba launched himself, Gunner maneuvered so that he could catch the wolf and basically swing him around a lot like he’d do with Oakley. The only difference is that he went to the ground and wrapped his arms around the big animal.
“It’s good to see you, buddy.”
Nashoba’s response was to wiggle out of the embrace and swipe his tongue across Gunner’s face, his tail thumping rapidly.
Oakley reached them and offered a hand to Gunner. He took it and she pulled. He’d forgotten how strong she was, and let her haul him in close.
“God, I’ve missed you,” she said right before she pretty much climbed on him and kissed him.
Could a kiss change your life? He couldn’t remember a point in his life that he wouldn’t have scoffed or laughed at such an idea. Today, it seemed maybe he did believe, because right now, he felt like he was finally home.
When she slithered to the ground and looked up at him, she was smiling. “You wear that hero suit well, Gun. Thanks for the rescue.”
“Looks like you didn’t need it,” his gaze moved over the pack, who watched, waiting patiently.
“Blame Nashoba and Ba’Cho. They keep defeating the alphas of the packs we encounter, and this pack grows.”
“And they all consider you the alpha.”
Her answer impressed him with its straight-forward honesty. “Yes. Thanks largely, I assume to Nashoba and Ba’Cho, but yes. And now they’ll accept you.”
