Evolution

11

Ch 11 River Search

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:::content warning – Violence, death:::

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In less than five minutes, they stood in four teams. One would keep the camp looking busy, one would search the forest for Polly and Lindie, two would search along the Iron River for Camillia and Gabe's sanctuary. They camped by the river as close as they could to the coordinates, but they didn't know which way Camillia headed, upriver or downriver, and they couldn't reach her to ask her because neither she nor Gabe were responding to their siblings.

Trin, Beta Paul, and Jay, the delta from Silver River, in their wolves, stood still while Cassie adjusted their wolf packs. Trinity's silver swords were hidden in a waterproof tent pole bag. If they needed to fight, she was stronger with her swords than her claws. Each pack held clothes, a first aid kit, and a large foil survival blanket to keep the sun off Gabe. The three other teams left to search the riverbanks and cross country. Callen and Coen would go upriver with Trin while Benji and his cousin Rance from Iron Forks would go south with Jay while Paul and Bradley went cross country. Trin and Benji led them to the place the rogue wolf watched them from. The wolves sniffed the ground where the rogue laid so they too could detect the scent of the rogue pack. Coen barked once and they split up.

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'We've got the girls,' came Paul's angry voice through the pack link. 'We're getting Lindie and Polly back to camp and driving them out. They said the renegades sold everyone else a few days ago.'

Coen growled and they scrambled over the rocks, he looked across the river at Callen who had a scowling expression. 'What else, Paul?'

Bradley answered stiffly, 'Marion is dead, and the rogue leader killed our sister.'

'Not Sharon!' Trin grieved as she leaned against Coen's side.

He nuzzled her neck, 'As soon as we get Cami and Gabe, I am going rogue hunting.'

'You can't, we're off pack lands,' she whimpered, 'They'll accuse you of murder.'

'Trin, they took what belongs to the Darkwood, and killed our pack-mates. If the Guardians want to accuse me let them, they are as responsible as the rogues for those who have died.' he huffed and scrambled ahead of her.

She was shocked by his vehemence and glanced across the river at Callen. They stared at each other for a moment, Sharon was their friend but they shared their worry and fear over Coen's reaction before they began searching again. Sunset was still an hour away but the lay of the river canyon was starting to shadow the southern side.

Coen yipped and Callen jumped into the river, swimming rapidly across and Trin scramble over the rocks. Callen nipped at her tail, trying to pull her into the frigid water, she growled. There was a tiny opening in the cliff face only a few feet from the water's edge. Trin wriggled and Callen helped her pull off the backpack. She shifted into her mortal and crawled into the hole. The smell of bat guano was overwhelming, it made her feel lightheaded. Her vampire eyes peered through the darkness.

"They're here," she ducked and muttered to him when she saw them huddled to one side. She whispered their names but neither moved. Carefully, she made her way to them. Both were unconscious but breathing.

"Sissy, wake up. Camillia, come on." Trin shook Camillia, then linked, 'Coen, Callen, they aren't waking up, I think the air in here is bad. How much time?'