chapter 26

“Faster,” said Caleb.

“We don’t want the cops’ attention,” said Reese, picking up the speed.

They’d all piled into the pick-up truck and headed to the place Joe said they’d probably find the rogue bear. It was a sacred place the bears visited at least a few times in their lives—when they mated, after the birth of their cubs, and for spiritual rebirth.

They’d left David behind to care for the bear females until they returned. After seeing the dead, mutilated bodies, his fears grew tenfold. That bear was capable of anything, any remnants of humanity long gone.

“Do you remember where we live?” asked Brian. “I haven’t seen a cop around here in years. Don’t worry about speeding.”

“Whatever,” said Reese. “How much farther, Joe?”

“A few more miles. It’ll be on the left after a curve in the road. I haven’t been here in over a decade. I thought the next time I came, it would be to celebrate my mating.”

“Tough luck there, Joe,” said Brian. “But they say there’s someone out there for everyone, even ugly bears.”

Joe growled.

“Enough,” said Caleb. “Focus. We’re almost there.”

Reese slowed the truck before carefully parking along the overgrown side of the road. There were walls of trees on either side of the road, now pitch black. Even the light from the half-moon couldn’t penetrate the old- grown forest.

He wasn’t sure if he should shift or go on foot. Then he thought better. As soon as they stopped, he removed all his clothing, nodding for Joe to do the same. His senses, speed, and strength were immeasurably stronger as his alpha wolf. Every minute could mean life or death.

“Where now?” asked Reese.

“Follow me. The mountain is deep in the forest. We need to get to the waterfall. It’s rebirth by water.”

“Why would he need Bethany for his rebirth?” asked Caleb. “She’s a human, not a wolf.”

He shouldn’t be complaining. The rogue could have killed Bethany within minutes of getting her in his cab as revenge for sheltering Joe and threatening his life. Instead, he was using her in some twisted ritual. He better not have touched her.

“You’re asking the wrong person. Just because I’m a bear doesn’t mean I can understand the mind of a mad man.”

Time was wasting. The moment Caleb shifted into his fur, he picked up the scent. Bethany’s unique scent. She’d been here recently, along with that filthy rogue.

A major sense of relief flooded his veins at knowing they’d come to the right place. Now he had to hope she was still alive to save.

This forest was new and unfamiliar. He couldn’t run as fast as he’d like and mostly kept behind Joe, wishing he’d move his ass faster.

It was too quiet. There were no whimpers or screams, and he didn’t know how he’d react if he found her dead. He’d lose it, leave his pack, and turn feral forever.

They came to a stop. As he began sniffing the area, he smelled blood, his heart jackhammering in his chest. Although his pack could communicate in their wolf forms, they couldn’t understand bear. Joe shifted back into his skin, and he followed the lead.

“Why are we stopping?” asked Caleb.

“The rogue’s scent is strong now. The waterfall is just ahead, so we need to be careful. Remember the state of those bear females? If we startle him, he could do something we’d regret.”

He was right, of course. As much as he’d love to rush in with teeth and claws, he had to be smart about every move from here on out. It was time to use the hunting stealth of his wolf to ensure her safe rescue.

“That’s her blood I scent.” He didn’t want answers or pity. It was just a fact, and he didn’t want to overthink it, not when they were so close.

“Don’t think about it. It doesn’t mean anything,” said Joe. The look in his eyes was that of a packmate, and his respect for the bear grew. They’d started out as enemies, but now he could call him a friend.

They nodded at each other and then shifted back into their fur. Bears were able to shift on will, as was Caleb as alpha wolf. His packmates were only able to shift during the full moon, so they were still behind them, trying to catch up in their human forms.

He crept into the underbrush, keeping low and as silent, noting every branch and leaf. His senses were on high alert.

The sound of the water grew louder the closer he got, and he noted the glint of the moon reflecting off the water’s surface. He emerged into the clearing, testing the air, trying desperately to find his mate. The scent was powerful now, but no sounds, not even a twig snapping.

They patrolled the area, the falls, the small pool, and surrounding woods. No sign of Bethany or the rogue. His packmates finally caught up with them.

“Where are they?” asked Reese. “Where the fuck are they?”

Joe shifted. “We must be close. The grass is still wet. The scent is strong.”

“Then where? What the fuck is going on?” asked Caleb after returning to his skin. He paced the area, his gaze finally settling on the still water at the opposite end of the waterfall. “Are they under the water?”

He froze, unable to move.

“The rebirth involves the water,” said Joe. “That’s why he came here.”

“Shit, you think they could be…” Brian was smart to shut his mouth.

They all stared into the dark, murky water. The thought of Bethany drowning invaded his thoughts. Her beautiful life snuffed out. He’d failed her.

“Over here!” Reese shouted from the other side of the pool. “They went this way.”

He exhaled the breath he’d been holding and rushed over to his packmate. It was true, the scent was stronger here and the clumsy path through the old-growth forest was easy for even a novice tracker to follow. Caleb was no novice.