AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m glad I caught up with you. I wanted to run something by you. How would you feel if I offered training to your shifters? Teach them how to go up against hunter tactics. They rely too heavily on their shifter abilities than any actual skill. I want to train them to a level where they’re capable of holding their own against a hunter. You’ve seen them in action—most shifters are moms and dads, not trained soldiers like hunters. The odds are stacked against them.”
His words were straightforward and free from any hint of deceit or his usual snark. He also wasn’t saying anything that I hadn’t already considered since the hunters first breached the town. Historically, shifters had the upper hand compared to humans, but this situation was completely different. Hunters were an elite militia with tactical training. Shifters grew up like regular humans, only with a pack mentality. We weren’t trained to fight. To kill.
“Tori wants to get involved as well,” Kyle continued. “She had a lot of the same training as I did, and she stayed on the run for four years, which is unheard of for any shifter. She knows more about avoidance techniques and hiding in plain sight than just about anybody here.”
Studying Kyle, I agreed with his thought process, but I was puzzled he’d come and run it by me first. “Why are you coming to me with this? I’m surprised you asked for permission instead of just doing it.”
Kyle laughed. “Mainly Tori. I don’t want to upset her. Also, you’re the alpha here. Your people will listen to you. This is the best course of action for their welfare. To be blunt? Based onwhat I’ve seen, your chances of success are slim, and the shifters here need every opportunity possible. If the hunters were to launch a full attack on the town, some shifters might be able to sneak out of here, but not many.”
All valid points, and it made my heart clench. In a sense, modern pack living had housebroken shifters, and it was wrong. Our ancestors’ complacency had led shifters to neglect their training and become more reliant on their animals. As a result, our safety had experienced a significant downfall.
“Sounds like a good plan,” I said, though concern still gnawed at me. “Be careful. The other shifters in town might target anyone they see as a threat to our haven. We don’t want them suspecting Tori or you of working with hunters. They haven’t linked you as siblings yet, and I’d like it to stay that way as long as possible.”
“Trust me, Ridge,” Kyle said confidently. “Tori and I can handle whatever comes our way, but I don’t want her in the middle of any disaster, either. The less confrontation where she’s involved, the better.”
It seemed Kyle and I had finally found some common ground. Tori’s safety was something we’d always agree on.
As Kyle walked away, my wolf growled softly, his protective instincts coming alive. Tori was strong and capable. She’d proven those qualities time and time again, yet I couldn’t shake the nagging worry. Our unmated bond was intense, and it made me want to carry her away and hide her until I’d eliminated all the potential dangers in the world.
If we mated, it’d be a different story, but that wasn’t happening anytime soon. I’d just have to bide my time. Hopefully, that saying about the reward being worth the wait was true.
Oh, who was I kidding? This was Tori. She’d always be worth the wait.
I strode through town uninterrupted, though it was hard not to notice the many new faces. Finally, I found myself in the woods, where all pack gatherings were held. The Northeast Pack had convened for a noon meeting. I scanned the crowd, pleased to see Tori sitting among familiar faces. She was with the Bogfords and Kyle. He didn’t show an ounce of concern or distaste about sitting among so many shifters, and didn’t appear to care it was supposed to be a shifter-only meeting.
“Attention, everyone. Let’s get this meeting started,” I announced.
The crowd hushed instantly, betraying how nervous they were and how much they wanted answers. Not wanting to delay the inevitable, I launched right in.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard some gossip and made some assumptions, but I want to confirm there has been hunter activity in Blackwood Creek. You all need to be aware of the increased danger we now face, but Blackwood Creek is still the safest place for us, and we need to welcome the packs seeking refuge here. They’ve been dealing with their own hunter issues and came to us looking for sanctuary. They’ve offered to join with our pack’s security detail to do perimeter checks and security patrols.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and many shifters grew visibly upset as several gasps rang out. “Hunters here?” someone said.
“This is what we get with an alpha like Ridge Blackwood! We’re not safe under his leadership, and things will only get worse!” Martin Greenthorne shouted.
Fear crossed over the faces of my pack as they watched the Greenthornes closely. Tori was fuming as she glared at them, and I caught her fisting her hands in her lap as she sat rigidly. One more word from Martin, and she’d pop out of her seat. Kyle reached over and placed his hand on her forearm.
“Hunters took shifters right off our streets and under our noses,” Christie Greenthorne added, fanning the flames. “Things are only going to get worse from here. We can’t depend on Alpha Blackwood.”
“Shifters taken by hunters?”
“Who’s missing?”
“Where’s Zander Elkins?”
“How did we not notice?”
Several different conversations echoed throughout the clearing, and I wanted to wring Christie Greenthorne’s neck for making things much more difficult. “Calm down and let me talk,” I stated.
But rather than quieting down, the murmuring became louder and louder, like a buzzing hornet’s nest.
“There’s never been hunters in town before.”
“What is the world coming to? Hunters here in Blackwood Creek?”
In the midst of all the chaos, reaching new heights even for her, Christie Greenthorne’s feigned composure caught my attention. Casually observing the havoc she had orchestrated, she leaned back in her chair, a sly smile on her lips. The bitch was enjoying herself, but I’d had enough.
“Enough!” I roared, my alpha side taking control and enforcing their submission.
