Page 47 of Squirrel Hunt
Dahy held in a sigh. He was sick of being called a rat. Two other men entered the cell, both of them finding the rat comment hilarious. Stupid fucking wolves.
“We’re gonna have us a little game tonight to boost the pack morale.”
“I figured. Weak alphas often need games to win over the crowd.”
The blow came out of nowhere. Dahy was mentally prepared for it, but the man was so darn quick he didn’t have time to brace himself.
Gustav chuckled low as Dahy spat blood on the floor. “You’re making a big mistake, Varg.”
Oh, it was the actual alpha? Dahy might have said the same thing anyway, but he hadn’t known he was insulting the alpha to his face.
“You’re still breathing? I figured you’d have faded away by now, old man.”
Gustav grunted. “I think I have a couple more days in me.”
Dahy glanced at the two men who’d accompanied Varg into the cell, and they both looked uncomfortable when Gustav spoke. Pack animals were weird.
“We’re going to the woods.” Varg stood straight and motioned at Dahy and Myka. “And you’re gonna get five minutes to run, then I’ll let the wolves out.”
Myka whimpered, which had Varg grinning. “Should’ve stuck to your own sort, doll. Then none of this would’ve happened. We need to keep the family lines clean.”
Dahy rolled his eyes. Stupid fucker. Varg turned to Dahy right in time to catch the end of the eye roll, and he peeled his lips back to show off sharp teeth. “And pest control is something we take seriously around here.”
“Lovely. So we’ll get five minutes to hide, then you’ll come looking?”
Varg frowned. “This isn’t a game of hide and seek. They’ll tear you to shreds.”
“I figured, but I’m more interested in the time frame. Five minutes? On the second, or will you listen to your internal clock?”
Varg growled, and Dahy feared he’d lowered the five minutes to about two and a half. How much time did Myka need to climb a tree?
“We’ve cleared an area, and there will be wolves placed all around it so you can’t get out. Then there will be ten hunting you.”
“Only ten? Are you scared we’ll get away?”
“Dahy!” Myka sounded terrified. Dahy was too, but they needed the information.
“Let’s go!”
One of the men unlocked Dahy’s cuffs, and the other freed Myka. With a bruising grip around his upper arm, the man dragged Dahy toward the door. He chanced a glance at Gustav, who gave him a nod. If it was goodbye, good luck, or you’ve got this, he didn’t know.
Myka was sobbing behind him, and Dahy wished he could say something comforting, but he didn’t think he’d ever been in a worse situation. He was used to running for his life, but not like this.
The men weren’t gentle as they pushed them into a car, but as they sat, Dahy reached for Myka’s hand, and no one stopped him. He wished he could tell her something uplifting, but what was there to say? Run for your life, and if they get me, keep running? He didn’t think she wanted to hear that.
They drove in silence. Myka clutched his hand with one of hers and steadily wiped tears with the other. He wanted to tell her not to cry, that her skin would freeze in the chilly night, but a little frostbite didn’t make it to their list of problems right now.
* * * *
Clouds of misty air formed around Konrad and the others as they ran silently through the woods. His heart was beating fast. What if they were too late? What if Farris had the wrong information? What if—Gideon ground to a stop in front of him, and Konrad had to sidestep not to tumble into him.
Voices.
They crept forward, crouched low. Konrad did his best to get his breathing under control so as to not attract attention. There were several voices, an excited buzz in the air.
“I’ll stay here. Make sure you’re always within view of each other. Varg doesn’t want there to be any risk of either of them slipping out, and squirrels are quick.”
Someone chuckled and, judging by the sound of the tone, cracked a joke. Konrad couldn’t make out the words, but there were a couple of laughs in reply. He flattened himself until he was more or less lying on the ground, and the others were doing the same. Everyone but Jyran who’d stuck to the trees while they ran. Konrad wanted to tell him to be careful. There were wolves everywhere, and while many people in the woods might help muddle up the scents, it also meant there were many who could pick up on them.