Chapter Nine
~ Radalf ~
I wanted to tell Ajag to head back to the ranch, but until I heard from Ze'ev, I couldn't, and I wasn't about to tell Ajag why he shouldn't go there. That would send the man into a tailspin.
"I can recommend a few smaller out of the way towns where you could settle for awhile." I didn't like the idea, but it was the best I had at the moment, Ajag was right. He couldn't keep traveling forever. Eventually, he needed to settle in one place.
"Another choice is an RV, one big enough for you and Sy to live in. You can get satellite internet so he can go to school and move from campground to campground. It would give you the living space you'd need, even if it's a small living space."
"I'd still need money to do that," Ajag pointed out. "It costs a lot to buy an RV and live on the road."
I grit my teeth to keep from shouting at Ajag. "Money isn't an issue, Ajag. I told you that."
I'd saved up quite a bit over the years and if Ajag's peace of mind came from me giving him every last cent, I'd do it. I could always make more money. That was easy. Convincing Ajag to trust me was not.
"I know you want to argue with me about it, but don't. I've made a lot of money over the years and it's just sitting there in my bank account accumulating interest. The most I use it for is the upkeep on my bike and the occasional stay in a motel. If it can go for a better cause than that, then I am fine with it."
"Rad—"
God, it was like pulling teeth.
"Just think about it."
Ajag was silent for several moments, making me wonder if he had hung up on me. "Ajag?"
"I'll think about it," he said before hanging up on me for real this time.
I sighed as I put my cell phone away and then gazed at the flickering firelight off in the distance. Motel or camping ground didn't matter. I was still going to keep a close eye on Ajag and Sy.
I waited until I saw the fire go out before stripping off my clothes and shifting. I had my motorcycle pretty well hidden in the bushes so I wasn't worried about anyone taking it. I was more worried about some absent hunter or a drunk trying to take pot shots at me.
I stayed to the shadows provided by the trees as I moved through the forest making my way closer to Ajag's campsite. He'd been smart and rented one toward the back of the campground and close to the woods.
When I got close enough to get a better view, but far enough away that my scent wouldn't be noticeable, I hunkered down under some bushes, my eyes pinned on the door of the tent.
It was going to be a long night for me, but well worth it meant keeping Ajag and Sy safe. I'd hear and see anyone coming toward their campsite. I just needed to make sure I was gone and back in human form before people started to wake up.
I wasn't sure I fully understood why I felt such peace huddle down under some bushes watching a tent. It was a feeling I don't ever remember having, but it reminded me of a conversation I'd had with Ze'ev after he mated Jackson.
"I'm settled, Rad."
The smile fell from my face as I grew serious. "Really?"
Ze'ev nodded. "This morning, after I bit him, I was laying there with him in my arms and I felt nothing but contentment. No anger. No aggression. No need to roam. I didn't want to be anywhere else except exactly where I was."
That's what I wanted, to feel no anger, no aggression, and no need to roam. I'd always kept my desire for a home buried deep in my heart because I knew I'd never get one. My home had been burned to the ground one winter night along with everyone I cared about.
I'd been a child then, barely thirteen. Old enough to know what was happening, but too young to fight back. I'd lost everyone in one night and I'd never found that feeling of peace again...until now.
I wanted to hold onto that foreign feeling. I just wasn't sure how. It wasn't like I was the most experienced guy when it came to emotions. My default was sarcasm and anger. Gooey sweet stuff gave me hives.
I let my brain wander as I watched the tent, trying not to think about anything too serious. Thinking was overrated anyway. I'd rather just punch a fucker in the face.
Well, except Ajag, Sy, and a few close friends, and I had punched a few of them over the years. I think that was pretty normal for dire wolves. We tended to strike first and ask questions later.
As soon as there were signs of life from inside the tent, I hurried back to where I had parked my motorcycle with the hopes of getting at least a couple of hours of sleep.
Luckily, it didn't look like anyone had touched my bike.
I grabbed a sleeping bag out of my saddlebags, shook it out next to the bike, and then climbed in. My saddlebags weren't big enough for me to carry a tent so I usually just slept in my fur when I was on the road like this. Being around so many humans, though, it wasn't a good idea. There was too much chance of being spotted even hidden as I was.
I woke up a couple of hours later to the sound of voices. They weren't too close, but I could still hear them talking about fishing in the river.
It wasn't Ajag or Sy so I didn't care.
I climbed out of my sleeping bag, pulled my clothes back on, and then checked my cell phone for Ajag's current location. I wasn't sure how I felt about him still being in the campground.
One, it probably meant another night of no sleep and then napping on the ground. Two, it meant Ajag and Sy were most likely going to be exploring the woods today.
Luckily, I couldn't think of a three.
I needed food. I had a few snacks in my saddlebags, but I needed real food, like steak and eggs. I just wasn't real sure where to find what I wanted and being out in any of the local restaurants probably wasn't a good idea.
Too much chance of running into Ajag and Sy. Maybe there was a bar that served food in the area. I should be relatively safe there. Ajag wouldn't take Sy to a bar.
At least, I hoped he wouldn't.
I had to admit that I didn't know that much about Ajag, at least not as much as I wanted to. He just didn't seem like the type of guy to take a toddler to a bar. He was a lot more protective of Sy than that.
I checked my phone again for Ajag's location before climbing onto my bike and heading toward the entrance of the campground. I didn't plan to be gone long. I just needed to get something to eat and gas up my motorcycle and then I was heading right back.
At least, that was the plan.
Plans are like assholes. Everyone has one and they all stink. My plan to run into town to grab something to eat and fuel up my bike was waylaid before I even left the campground.
The loud rumble of multiple vehicles overrode the sound of my motorcycle. My gut knotted with dread. I didn't know what was coming, but I didn't like it. The ominous feeling I felt was tightening my muscles like a bow string.
When three black SUVs came into view and then stopped at the check-in station, my heart started to race. Two men from the first vehicle climbed out and walked into the station building.
As soon as I saw their camo colored clothing, I immediately turned my bike around and gunned the throttle, racing to where Ajag and Sy were camped.
These guys did not look like they were here for camping, which meant Ajag and Sy were in trouble. I just couldn't figure out how they found Ajag in a random campground in Colorado.
Ajag and Sy were pulling on their jackets when I skidded to a stop in front of them. Sy scurried behind Ajag, who stood there with his mouth hanging open.
"We've got trouble." I turned off my bike and climbed off, hurrying over to the duo. "Get packed up as fast as you can. I'm going to go see if there is a way out of here."
Ajag seemed to get a hold of himself as he asked, "What's going on?"
"Ze'ev called before and told me that a bunch of men in camo gear had come to the ranch and tried to search the place. Ze'ev and the others ran them off, but I think they followed you somehow. Three SUVs of guys in camo gear just pulled up at the front gate."
Ajag's eyes rounded, filling with fear. Instead of taking down his tent and packing his stuff, he grabbed Sy and started for the Jeep.
I grabbed his arm when he tried to go past me. "I know you're scared, but I need you to pack your stuff in the Jeep first."
"Rad—"
"I'm going to drive the jeep out of here. You and Sy are going to go through the woods and meet me by the main road."
I had no idea what I was going to do with my bike. Maybe hide it in the woods and come back for it later.
"Do you have a hat?"
Ajag blinked at me. "A hat?"
I nodded. "I need to disguise myself."
Ajag hurried over to a backpack sitting on the ground next to the tent door. He reached inside and came back with a knit cap. It wasn't ideal, but it would work.
"I want you to hike to the river and then follow it down until you reach the road. There should be a bridge. Wait under it until I call for you. Do not come out for anyone except me. Understand?"
Ajag nodded.
"Go." I gave him a little push. The need to get them to safety was riding me hard. "I'll pack up here."
It needed to look like I had left the campsite and that Ajag and Sy were never here. I watched them hurry into the woods before turned and quickly taking down the tent and packing it back into the jeep with everything else they had taken out.
I had to push my bike through several feet of underbrush before I felt it was hidden enough that no one would see it. Hopefully, I wouldn't need to leave it there for long.
I climbed into the jeep and then pulled the cap down over my head. I added some dark glasses to finish off my look and then started the jeep and began driving toward the station building.
The three SUVs were still parked on the far side of the building, several men dressed in camo standing in front of the first one. They seemed to be in deep conversation with the station master. He was pointing to a map in his hand and then pointing to the road that led farther into the campground.
One of the men spotted my Jeep and gestured to me before walking toward me. My heart thundered in my chest. I casually slid my hand down to my pocket, pulling out the switchblade knife I kept there.
I held it down along side my thigh.
When the rather tall man reached my window, he glanced inside the Jeep. My breath caught when he looked to the backseat and I remembered the car seat.
This wasn't good.
"Have you seen a young light brown haired man and a small child here at the camp?"
The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but the dark glasses the blond haired man wore made it hard to place if I knew him or not.
"I have not," I replied, "but I haven't really seen anyone since I checked in."
"Are you sure?" The man reached up and pulled his glasses down the bridge of his nose, showing off his golden eyes. Eyes that I knew very well.
The blond hair threw me.
"I'm sure."
"There are a lot of people looking for this young man. Anyone adding and abetting him could be in a lot of trouble with the council."
My brow flickered with unease. "I'm sure," I repeated.
"We'll catch him eventually." The man snorted. "It's way too easy to track cell phones nowadays."
Shit!
"Best you be on your way," the man stated. "We have to search this campground before we move on to the next one. We don't have time to sit and chat. It'll take at least two hours to search this campground alone. I'd rather be sitting in that bar at the edge of town having a beer. If I'm lucky, we'll be done here soon and I'll be able to knock off early so I can have that beer."
The man slid his glasses back up his face and then waved me on with his hand. I dropped my checkout sheet in the drop box and then drove down the driveway, trying not to look toward the other men standing around in front of the line of SUVs.
As soon as I hit the main road, I took a right and drove as fast as I could within the speed limit to reach the bridge where Ajag and Sy should be waiting for me.
The bridge was only a mile down the road, which was a little close to danger for my liking. As soon as I reached it, I pulled off to the side of the road, hit my emergency flashers, and climbed out of the Jeep.
I hurried down the embankment calling out Ajag's name, praying I would get to him in time. I had to find him and Sy and get them out of the area as quickly as I could.
And then I needed to go for a beer.