Page 88 of Cursed: Ride or Die
Had Paul known? He’d been out in the world. Could he sense the half-human side of Noah’s bloodline? Would he have turned away in disgust if he had?
Noah buried his face in his hands. “Human. I’m half human.” Damn, he needed Slade right now. Slade would hold him, tell him everything would be fine. Have Noah’s back, no matter what. Did the pack know? Would they kick him out if they did?
He breathed deeply, the rich scent of decaying leaves, the crispness of new-fallen snow, and nearby water calming his nerves. He’d passed through the wards, so obviously hadn’t come with evil intent. Did Sheriff Mac know? He seemed to know everything else about Noah.
The woods grew quiet. Too quiet. Maybe he should go back, check on his aunt. If Ed hurt her…
A scent came to him on the wind, distant yet familiar. He followed, staying downwind, crouching low and carefully placing his footsteps, remembering childhood lessons.
He made out three, no, four human scents, three angry, one terrified. Huh? Then he caught a whiff of a recently fired gun. No one should be hunting in a state park. Mac told him shifters patrolled these woods in pairs.
Whoever stomped through the brush ahead of him, probably knowing nothing about shifter hearing, headed straight for Aunt Debra and Uncle Ed. Had they stopped their bickering and gone back to the car?
Noah shouldn’t have run. Should have stayed, tried to talk sense into Ed.
The humans moved closer toward his aunt and uncle’s last known location.Please let them have gone back to the compound to finish their fight.
One quarter mile, one eighth. The harsh aroma of angry werewolves filled the air. Noah nearly yelled a warning, then slapped a hand over his mouth.
Rips sounded when he hurriedly shucked his clothes. Please let the shift not take long. He curled up on his side, willing himself wolf. Then, on shaky legs, he stood. Sounds and scents grew crisper.
Any moment now, the hunters would be in range. Were any other pack members close enough to hear him? Noah threw back his head, howling in distress.
All fell silent. Then an unknown voice shouted. “He’s back that way! Get him!”
Once more, Noah turned tail and ran.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“HowcanIdetecthunters? Aren’t they garden-variety humans?” Slade kept a close watch on the woods from the passenger seat of Sheriff Mac’s car.
Mac held the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip. “Intent triggers the wards. Those men in the diner meant harm. Somehow you sensed their emotions through that charmed tattoo you got. But also, I think you’ve developed a protective instinct because of—”
What was that? “Stop the car!” Slade yelled, clutching the “oh shit” handle and stomping an imaginary brake on the passenger side floorboard.
Mac pulled to the side of the road. “What’s wrong?”
“I heard something. No, more like I felt something.” He hit the button, powering the window down. “What’s up there? I see something shining.”
Mac pulled forward enough to make out the sunlight on a car windshield. “Debra’s car. Let me call this in.”
Slade opened the door.
“Stay put!” Mac barked. “You don’t know what’s out there.”
Noah was out there. Slade felt the familiar presence clear down to his soul. The tattoo on his side itched. Damned if Mac hadn’t been right. Slade had turned into a damned hunter detector. “Noah’s out there. Hunters too.” Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. Not a good combination.
A howl sounded from the trees, raising goose bumps on Slade’s arms. Noah’s howl. No telling how Slade knew—he just did.
“Help’s coming,” Mac said, ending the call and getting out of the vehicle. “Come on, deputy.” They both drew their weapons—may they not have to use them.
Deputy. The last thing Slade ever expected to be called. Mac insisted, however unofficially, for reasons of his own. Chuck would laugh his ass off. Judith too. Mac headed to the left.
“He’s over there.” Slade pointed to where he sensed Noah.
“I got wolves over here,” Mac replied. “Two of ‘em.”
“I need to find Noah.”
