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Darian's POV
The next morning, thirteen warriors leave Silver Moon with twenty pack members. Joshua, Michael, and I are among them.
The twenty traveling with us are a mix of men, women, elders, and children who need to handle business in the human territory. Michael brings Paige, Milo, and Piper with him, apparently determined to prove just how much faith he has in Rylan's decision.
I wish I shared it.
We travel by bus, with warriors positioned throughout the seats and near both ends. Nothing happens on the way there. No strange vehicles follow us. No unusual scents reach us. No warning crawls beneath my skin.
The human territory looks exactly as it always does. Normal. Safe. I hope it stays that way. After we arrive, Michael opens a mindlink with Rylan and includes Joshua and me.
“Alpha, we've arrived safely.” Rylan answers immediately.
“Good. Keep me updated.”
“Will do.” I glance at Joshua. He glances back. Neither of us says it. Maybe Rylan was right. I would gladly be wrong. Several hours later, everyone is accounted for and back on the bus. Twenty pack members. Thirteen warriors. Michael settles near Paige and the children before opening the mindlink again. “Alpha, we're on our way back.”
Rylan doesn't even hesitate. “Good. What color tutus do you three want to wear?”
Michael laughs.
“You haven't won yet, Alpha.”
“I'm feeling confident.”
Joshua shakes his head. “Rylan, I hope you win. Let's get everyone home first, then I’ll tell you what color tutu suits me.”
“Of course, Gamma. Wouldn't want you getting your tutu dirty.” I almost smile.
My wolf doesn't. Something still feels wrong.
“Nothing happened.”
That doesn't mean nothing will.
I look out the window. Trees line both sides of the road as the bus carries us farther from the human town and closer to Silver Moon territory. Then we slow. Joshua stands. I look through the windshield. A tree lies across the road. A big ass fucking tree.
My wolf rises. Somethings not right.
Joshua looks at Michael and me, shrugs. “Let's move it.”
We step off the bus. The air is quiet. Too quiet. Joshua and Michael take one end of the tree. I move to the other.
“Ready?” Joshua asks.
“Ready.” We lift. The tree rises. Movement flashes between the trees along the side of the road. My wolf surges. Down!
I release my end and drop. An arrow cuts through the space where my head was. Joshua twists away at the same instant. Michael jerks backward as another projectile passes his chest.
“Hunters!” I shout.
They pour out from between the trees. Too many to count. Guns. Crossbows. Silver blades. Prepared.
“Throw it!” Joshua yells.
I grab the trunk again. Joshua and Michael seize the other end. We heave together. The tree flies toward the hunters. Several scatter. Others jump back as the trunk crashes into their path. The road is clear.
