Prey of Fate (bxb)

Chapter 32 - Tobias - Part 1

The atmosphere in the car was tense as we didn't know what we were getting into. Mason had been unable to make contact with the Alpha of Wind Winder Pack, so we had to assume the worst.

Colby lay in my lap, and as my fingers ran through his fur, I tried not to think that this was the first time we would be on the same side in a fight. It meant that the moment he disappeared from my sight during the fight, I would have to stop concentrating on my fears or I would be useless.

Fortunately, we had a form of communication that didn't require us to be in each other's sight, as Cole decided to remind me. "We're both fighters. You don't have to worry."

"I know." I assured him. "But can you blame me for worrying about my mate?"

Despite being in wolf form, his emotions told me well that he was pleased by my question, and if he were human, a smile would have played on his face.

"My brave hunter mate," I heard in my head.

"My beautiful wolf," I returned, running my hand over his fur again.

With two wolves in the car, it was a little more cramped than usual, but no one focused on that as we had higher priorities. Colby and Mason, in wolf form, huddled in the back of the car with me and Devin, while Josh and Rick sat in the front.

Although it was obvious that Rick still didn't fully trust the wolves, his trust in me, Josh and Devin overcame his wariness of them. We'd been a team since we were kids and he knew he could count on us, even with them by our side.

Rick always looked out for us. People thought he was cold, but he was really just cautious with new people, so I couldn't blame him for not being open to Cole right away.

Like me, he'd lost his parents when he was a kid, though he was 12 at the time. His brother Sawyer was 18 at the time, and although he was the only family he had left, he couldn't cope with their deaths. Before he got his life together and practically became a soldier, he lived on alcohol for two years, unable to have a relationship with his brother, let alone take care of him. So, as the second oldest of us kids, Rick decided to look after us. Everyone said we had to grow up early because of our parents' death, but it was true of him the most.

"Are you okay?" I'd almost forgotten that Cole could sense my emotions. The last thing I wanted in this serious situation was to transfer my momentary nostalgic sadness to him.

"I'm fine," I assured him. "I just remembered something."

If Cole wanted more reassurance that everything was all right, he didn't have time for it. "We're almost there. Get ready," Rick announced.

The plan was for no one to wait for anyone. There were enough experienced hunters in each car, so there was no need to gather in one place before assessing the situation. Besides, there was no time for that.

In the end, we were the first to arrive at the pack boundary. We and the group led by Sharon were assigned to this border, while the groups led by James and Nick went to the southern border.

We got out of the car first to give the wolves plenty of room to jump out of the car as they had been huddled tightly up until now. Josh opened the boot from which we selected our weapons, each of us choosing what we preferred. In my case it was an expandable metal staff, and for good measure I also had a pistol strapped to my belt and a knife hidden in my boot. Devin also had a gun for safety, although he preferred throwing knives. Josh chose the crossbow and also had a gun in his holster, while Rick had a knife in his hand and a shotgun strapped to his back. We were all as prepared as we could be.