Chapter Six #2
“No, I’m still on him, but he’s not making it easy.
He’s going in circles while moving to higher ground.
” A smart move if you didn’t want to be found.
“What supplies does he have?” It was something he should have asked earlier, but he’d expected to have found the boy by now.
Adam was proving to be more wolf than human.
“Supplies?” She unhooked her canteen and drank deeply.
They’d stopped at a creek earlier and refilled, adding water purification tablets to make it safe.
“Ah, he took his sleeping bag and his knapsack, which has all the basics—camping knife, first aid kid, ground sheet, rope, flashlight, water purification tablets, food. Basically, everything I have. Why? Does it matter?”
“It’s obvious he planned on this being an extended trip, but he’s got to be running low or be out of provisions by now.”
“There’s not enough food to fill him up these days.” She pressed her hand against her stomach. Her eyes pleaded for reassurance.
“I doubt he’s going hungry. I imagine you taught him how to forage and fish.”
The deep furrows on her forehead lessened. “Yes, he’s aware what plants are safe to eat and which aren’t. And he always carries a line and some hooks. He can easily construct a pole if he needs one.”
Adam had a theory. “You notice any food missing after Adam left that first time?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “You think he went home for more supplies?”
“Wolves are pack animals at heart.”
“I know that much from television documentaries, but I didn’t think that applied the same to—” She stumbled to a stop.
“To werewolves? Yes, it does. Our animal nature is strong. You could say my family is my pack. It’s one of the reasons we all still live together.
Home is a powerful draw for a wolf.” The boy’s scent trail was everywhere, making it more difficult to track than if he’d gone in a straight line, but the strongest one had veered off the upward climb and was headed toward town.
Vinnie rubbed her eyes and scrubbed her hand over her head, making her short hair stand up in short spikes.
Despite judiciously applying sunscreen, her face had acquired a golden tan from all her time outside.
Perspiration caused her shirt to stick to her skin, emphasizing her full breasts and slender torso.
Somehow she managed to appear both exhausted and sexy at the same time.
He wished there was time for her to rest, but each minute was precious.
“Now that you mentioned it, the last time I got home from a search, the one before I went to find you, I thought there was less food than there should be. It didn’t register, because there’d been so many people in and out of the house asking questions, offering help, bringing food.
My neighbor, the one next door, not Wilkes’s aunt, offered to wait at the house in case Adam showed up.
I’d assumed she’d eaten it, or she’d fed someone who’d dropped by.
I wasn’t eating much, so I didn’t care, was happy for it not to go to waste.
I can’t say with any certainty if there was food missing. ”
That made sense and explained the myriad scents in her home. It also raised another question. “Did you let your neighbor in, or did you give her a spare key?”
“Well, crap. That’s how Wilkes got in, wasn’t it? Peggy would have let him in without hesitation, believing she was helping. I’d assumed I’d forgotten to lock the damn door, even though I thought I had. I’ve been a bit scattered lately.”
He and Deputy Wilkes were going to have a come-to-Jesus talk at some point in the future, but that was for another day. His wolf snarled in agreement.
“You think Adam has been home at least once?”
“Yeah, I do. It’s smart.” It was something Cyrus would do in the same situation.
“Think about it. It’s the last place anyone would think to look for him.
Adam could easily slip in after dark, get what he needed, and get out without being seen.
” Not to mention being around familiar surroundings, and the woman he viewed as alpha, would ease some of his anxiety.
“I think he’s heading in that direction again.
” Cyrus scanned the horizon, noting the position of the sun.
“What are we waiting for?” Vinnie changed direction, but before she could run off, he caught the back of her knapsack, bringing her up short.
“Hold up. There’s no way to be certain. I need to keep tracking him to be sure, not go off half-cocked.
” The clock was ticking down. The moon would be full tomorrow night.
As it was, tonight wasn’t going to be pleasant for his son.
His hunger would be voracious, he’d be territorial, more aggressive, and likely terrified since he had no idea what was happening.
“But you said he’s heading in that direction.”
“I said I think that’s where he’s headed.
The boy is smart. He keeps walking in circles.
” Cyrus tapped the side of his nose. “It confuses things. I have to search for the strongest scent. I can’t afford to make a mistake.
” It was a reminder of what was at stake.
“I don’t think he’ll go all the way to your house this time.
There are too many people in town, not enough space, but he’ll instinctively want to be closer to home. ”
“I hate feeling helpless.” Dark circles rimmed her eyes. She was running on empty but there was no stopping her.
He rested his palm against her cheek. “We both want the same thing—to find Adam. I need you to trust me.”
She bit her bottom lip but nodded. “I do. I want to.” She briefly closed her eyes and huffed out a breath. “Find him, Cyrus.”
Never had a mission been more critical. They had little more than twenty-four hours to locate Adam before it might be too late. A low growl rumbled up from deep inside him. Losing him wasn’t an option. He’d find him, one way or another. If he had to shift and leave Vinnie behind he would.
He swooped down and stole a quick kiss. Fortified for the job ahead, he picked up the trail.
He’d had grown men abandon searches he’d been on, but Vinnie was his constant shadow.
This couldn’t go on much longer, for all their sakes.
She was on the verge of collapse, her body only able to take so much.
When the light began to fade, he called off the search. “We’ll camp here tonight and pick up again at first light.” He removed his knapsack and stood it against a tree.
“No, we keep going.” Almost frantic, she tugged at his arm.
“Vinnie.”
She shook her head. “No, we’re close. I know it.
You can stay here if you want to, but I’m finding my son.
” When she tried to walk away, he stopped her by wrapping his arms around her, locking her arms down by her sides.
She was strong for a woman but no match for his werewolf strength.
Her efforts to free herself only served to frustrate her even more. “Let me go, damn it.”
“You won’t do anyone any good if you wander off and break your neck.”
The toe of her heavy boot rammed into his shin.
It hurt but he didn’t flinch. She squirmed and wiggled, managing to free one hand.
Fingers curled into a fist, she slammed it into his jaw.
It lacked any real power due to their proximity and her exhaustion, but it still rocked his head back. “Let me go!”
“Never.” They were past that point. “You’ll be lost inside an hour.
Then I’ll have to find you before I search for Adam.
Is that what you want?” He was being harsh, not because he didn’t care but because he did.
It was killing him to watch her worry, to push beyond her limits and keep going long past the time most people would have dropped.
“I want my son!” she yelled. All the fight drained out of her and she slumped against him. “I want my son.” The tortured whisper ripped at his soul. The wetness from her tears vanquished any chance of him staying objective.