44 Ch 44 The Hunted and the Prey (2/2)

I sighed. I wasn't sure it would do any good if Mac turned to John. John would mislead Mac. Odds are Mac wouldn't suspect his old buddy of anything.

”Maybe I should head back out. I'll go see if I can...”

”Why don't you give them time? You were worried about me making noise if I slept, and I think I'm going to. Hope I don't have a damn concussion.”

”Sleep then. Maybe you should take a bit more for the pain? I might nap myself, put myself in that half-way stage, you know?”

”Not really. And I still want to know why no pants.”

I didn't answer him. His breath took no time to steady out, sounding better than it had when we first woke. I allowed myself to doze lightly. I stirred when I heard someone go by.

Later someone actually came in our little alcove. I placed my hand over Derrick's mouth before they actually stepped in and rolled him on his side, squeezing in tight against him. I could see the light play above us on the edge of our cubby hole, but the guy didn't investigate further. It was, after all, up high. He was thorough in the rest of the area, going down until he couldn't fit anymore, verifying it was a dead end.

I heard him use a spray can at the entrance. I moved back toward the edge of our ledge, allowing Derrick to lay on his back again. I put my hand over his mouth again before rolling off the ledge.

I was almost full wolf. I had a den and a hurt pack member. I let out a quiet growl as I headed out to stalk my prey.

”Rick?”

I looked back up out of habit even though it was dark as could be. Derrick had pulled out his phone for a moment's light. I slipped out the entrance, hopefully before he saw me. The light went out. I stepped back in briefly. I knew my voice was gravely when I spoke, trying to whisper.

”Light reflects. Don't!”

”Sorry,” he whispered back.

I only growled.

Light in this pitch black was both a pro and a con, you could see it far off. I could see my prey's progress as he shone his light along the wall. There was another guy on the other side, marking the openings on that side. I followed behind, watching as they made the same mark every time they came out of a crack in the walls. A slight sound behind me had me holding still.

I moved slowly until I was facing the direction of the sound. Then I looked up. I opened my mouth, tasting the air. I could smell about where the man was, higher up, further back. Had he seen Derrick's light? If so, he hadn't let out a warning and he didn't move.

There! A slight glint off a gun! Perhaps he did see that moment of light and was waiting for us. If he was using infrared, did he see my wolf form?

I moved, slinking close to the ground until I was beneath him. I ruled out the idea he had noticed me. The man was completely focused on where Derrick's light had shone for a moment. Part of me tried to think, to figure a way to disarm him and keep him from being able to reveal us or hurt us. The rest of me already knew what I needed to do.

I let out a steady growl, low enough not to carry. Sure enough the man with the sniper rifle leaned over to look down. That's all it took for me to pounce. I growled, biting down on an arm. Like I had told my wolves in the field, don't go to bite if you don't plan on breaking bones.

The man let out a satisfying scream. I didn't hesitate, grabbing the hand he swung at my head, sinking my teeth in and ripping. I leapt away. He wouldn't be using a gun against me! The small growl that sounded then might have been mistaken for a chuckle. I knew I couldn't let him live, especially having bit him. I circled around. He moved in a way that exposed his throat. I thought about the cougar that had killed Mom. This man was just as deadly and dangerous. I leapt in, putting my weight on his shoulders and went in for the kill.

I slunk back to the shadows, licking the blood off my snout, hoping Derrick was smart enough to keep the lights out.

The men with the flashlights came running at the screams, pistols drawn. I waited until one was level with me and rushed him, knocking him down. The flashlight he had fell and rolled, the light throwing odd moving shadows along the cave walls.

I bit down on the pistol and pulled it from the man's grasp. I moved through the flashlight's beam, making a point of making noise, running down past where Derrick was. A shot rang out, and I felt slivers of rock hit me. I jumped sideways, staying low to the ground. I couldn't kill both of them without risk to myself. They would be on alert now.

I ducked into one of the marked areas, looking for somewhere higher than a wolf could reach to stash the gun. I found a little hollow that would shield the gun from glinting in any light. I heard it when it landed a few feet down. It would be tricky to retrieve it, but not impossible, and they wouldn't find it.

I went further away, and let loose a howl, keeping it short. This was, after all, Yellowstone, home to wild animals. They would have to believe a wolf had found his way in before the tremors and couldn't find his way out.

Knowing there was a wolf here would interfere with their plans, especially after breaking the man's arm like I did before ripping out his throat.  I wasn't sure what they had seen in the dark and dancing shadows, but the howl would leave no doubt. Plus, I figured Derrick would know I was ok. He would have to be worried when he heard the scream and the shot being fired.

I released a stream, marking as far as I had gone. Odds are they wouldn't notice it, but if they did, its low height would only confirm the presence of a wolf.

I moved silently then, heading back to Derrick. I could hear them, the man who had lost his gun and John. I heard the words teeth and wolf. The smell of blood filled the area.

I felt satisfied knowing Derrick's broken arm was avenged, especially in a way that increased our safety. I snuck into our alcove and leapt up.

”Rick?”

At least it was only the barest whisper. I shifted, curling along Derrick's back once more, keeping the fur on my back.

”Shhh. Sleep if you can. I'm fine. I'm going to wait for things to settle down before I go back out. Go as far in as you can go. No lights. Sleep.”

He stayed silent, moving things around and scooting over a few more inches. I knew it wasn't the most comfortable for him, but it was the safest thing to do right now. I felt one of my paws push against his calf muscle as I settled in to wait.

I sighed. He was going to figure it out at some point, especially in such close quarters, even if we were in complete darkness. I shifted a bit so I could speak clearer.

”By the way,” I whispered in his ear, ”I don't need the pants because I'm wearing fur. I wasn't joking when I told Mac my secret was out. Now go to sleep.”