Page 95 of Moon Chosen

“Son, don’t let what happened to O’Bryan slant your judgment. Use those powers of observation I know you have, as well as the crossbow skills the entire Tribe knows you have—and work with Wilkes to bring the team back safely.”

Nik blew out a long breath. “You’re right. This thing with O’Bryan is really messing with my head. Father, there are such strange things going on in the forest. Doesn’t it concern you?”

“Of course it does. But the truth is there is always something strange going on in the forest. We live in an odd, dangerous world. Son, I think not finding the pup has you down.”

“Yeah. I thought with Davis’s and Cameron’s help—and having O’Bryan along in the Hunt—they’d ensure that we’d find him. And the girl. Or at the very least we’d find substantial sign of them by now. But all we found was a Scratcher ambush and chaos.”

“Will you keep looking when you return?” Sol asked.

“Honestly, Father, I haven’t decided. And maybe that’s what really has me down. I don’t want to give up on him—on the pup. But I’m starting to believe my search may be as foolhardy as the rest of the Tribe believes it to be.”

“Not all of the Tribe thinks you’re foolhardy. Some of them think you’re loyal and tenacious. Should you ever wonder, I’m part of that group, though I am increasingly concerned with the new behavior the Scratcher males are exhibiting.”

“So no one else has ever known them to set up an ambush?” Nik said.

“No. Even Cyril has never heard of that happening. He went through the archived Hunter logs last night, and found no annotation there, either. It seems their strange behavior is unique to the present.” Sol’s eyes looked haunted. “I’m getting increasing pressure to order a clean-out of the Scratcher population. And in light of this new attack, I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to logically tell the Elders no.”

“A clean-out? They really mean to kill all the males they can find?”

“Yes. The idea sickens me,” Sol said.

“What are you going to do?”

He sighed. “I’m going to pray that we are dealing with a handful of rogue males, and that you and your team killed most of them yesterday.”

“And if the night screaming and the ambushes don’t stop?”

“Then I’m very much afraid I’m going to be responsible for the annihilation of the Earth Walker males.”

Nik put his hand on his father’s shoulder. “You won’t be responsible for it. It’ll be the will of the Tribe.”

“I’m Leader of this Tribe, Nik. That makes it my responsibility.” They’d come to the lift. Waiting within were Wilkes and his Shepherd, Odin, who exchanged greetings with Laru.

“There you are, Nik. Good day, Sol,” Wilkes said.

“Good day to you as well, Wilkes. Odin is looking in excellent flesh,” Sol said, shaking the tall man’s hand.

“Thank you, Sun Priest. He is indeed.”

“Good to see you, Wilkes.” Nik shook his hand and gave Odin a friendly pat.

“The rest of the team’s already at the dock. Thought I’d wait for you,” Wilkes said. “I assumed you were seeing to O’Bryan?”

“We were,” Sol answered for Nik. “And he’s doing well.”

“Glad to hear it. Ready, Nik?”

“I am,” Nik said.

“Son, I’ll say my good-bye to you here,” Sol said. “I must lead the Sunrise Celebration, and then Cyril needs me with the Council to discuss the Scratcher issue further.” He pulled Nik into a tight hug. “Stay safe, son. Return home soon.”

Nik returned his father’s hug. “I love you, Father.”

“And I you, Nikolas.” With a nod to Wilkes, Sol and his Laru strode off in the direction of the Council nest.

“The Scratcher thing is weird, isn’t it?” Wilkes said conversationally as the lift lowered.

“Yep. Weird,” Nik said, hoping his shortness would stop Wilkes’s questions.