Midnight Wolf

LERRIN

Lerrin made it only two steps towards the cave before the faintest scratch of claws on the back of his mind stopped him mid-step. He hesitated, but with a curse, opened himself to the pack mind.

Images flashed of pursuit through trees and along a trail. They sent him the scent of the cat and the donkey where they'd squatted to drink, then continued. The trail was fresh. Very fresh. They were almost on them. The bloodlust was rising and they struggled not to bay to each other in anticipation of victory.

Lerrin snarled his warning. You take the horse only. The Cat is mine.

Then with a final, longing look at the cave, he leapt into beast form and sprinted after them.

*****

RETH

They weren't nearly far enough downstream when Behryn put a hand to Reth's shoulder and shoved him into the bushes along the water's edge, urging him to squat between the branches, despite the cold water.