Stranger Yet

Chapter 16: Not the Girl

Chapter 16

Tiernan had been searching for the hunters for almost 3 days, following a scent that extended North and gradually wrapped back to the East. He was losing track of the scent after so many days and was getting lost in the way the trail moved. Whoever had come through had not followed a straight path.

Alpha... I think it's time we head home. We've been following this scent since Saturday morning, and it's gotten us nowhere. I'm beginning to think that it was intentional. Brandon was right. Something wasn't right about the way the hunters had moved. Not only that, there were so many different smells mingled with the hunters' scents. He didn't like the faint smell of other wolves that they'd come across. Those, as well, were not straight forward, but instead looped around numerous times, as if intentionally making themselves harder to follow.

Okay, Brandon. I think your right. Lets move back as a grid- we might as well keep ears and eyes out for anything suspicious on our way.

Agreed.

Brandon helped direct the other members of their hunting party as they turned back around.

Remember to stay alert.

Much to Tiernan's disappointment, they didn't find anything else all the way home, but he was on edge. His instincts were telling him that something was amiss. His instincts were telling him that the hunters, as well as the other wolves, wouldn't be far off. It was nearly 6:30 by the time they arrived home.

The other packmates were thrilled to see their loved ones and crowded around them as they walked through the gate. As terrible as it felt to come back without any answers, Tiernan was glad to be home, among his packmates. His heart swelled with love and pride, as he walked into the house for a normal family dinner.

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Miles away, Ayra struggled to reach Tiernan. She wondered if it was due to lack of practice or if it was because of the distance.

HELLO, OUT THERE! ANYONE HOME? CAN YA HEAR ME?

Beyond frustrated after having missed her bus home, Ayra stood outside the tree line by her School with her backpack over one shoulder and her arms crossed.

"Good grief, am I really going to have to go in and find him myself? Guess I'll just leave this out here to the elements..." She grumbled, as she tore her bag and clothes off. "Who cares if I ruin all my books or if rodents rip up my clothes!?" Standing naked inside the forest, Ayra stretched her arms and neck, as if getting ready for a workout, then she let down her hair and began to shift. She had hung her bag on a branch, as was quickly becoming tradition for her.

Time to piss off mister Stalker.

And with that, she broke off into a sprint.

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After supper, Tiernan was keen to get back out and check the perimeter. He knew he was probably scaring the pack with his inability to relax, but he couldn't help it.

"Don't you think we should let some of the others parol for tonight? You've been gone for a couple nights now. It might be a good idea to get some rest..." Ally had left her mate at the table to walk with Tiernan. It had started to rain and Tiernan breathed in deeply, trying not to stress about what the rain would do to the tracks.

"I'm too worried. I feel too tense to sleep." He dismissed.

"Maybe Doc can help with that... He has stuff to help you relax. Just go ask... The rest of us can handle the parole tonight. You're no good to us exhausted." Tiernan knew Ally was right, but just as he was about to give in, Mira, Alexandria's mother, rushed up to them, her face flushed, and her brows pulled tight with worry.