Page 16 of Hart's Redemption

You have got to be kidding me.

As if reading my thoughts, he finally relented. He gave my ear one more playful nip and danced backward, every bit as light on his feet in this form as he was in his human form.

I finished standing and cast him a wary look. His tail wagged again, but he didn’t spook this time. Once I was fully upright and had my bearings, he turned and bolted. Panic surged in my chest, and I stumbled after him as fast as I could go. Unfortunately, the microscopic delay was all the head start he needed, and it didn’t take long for him to vanish in the deepening twilight.

Shit. He’s been turned for less than thirty minutes and he’s already given me the slip.

I pulled to a stop in the last place I’d seen him and raised my muzzle to the air. His sweet, earthy scent swirled in my nose, but with his smell encircling the area, there was no way to tell which way he’d gone. That’s when it finally sank in. Josh was an expert hunter, and he’d just been given all the tools to be even better.

No sooner had the realization hit than a blur of shadow erupted from my right. It barreled into me, sending me rolling for the second time. My claws scrabbled on the loose earth for purchase while I looked wildly about for the source of the attack. I managed all of one step before my ears caught the muffled thud of soft paws hitting the ground. Just in time, I shuffled back a step to prevent Josh from careening into me as he had before.

Not deterred, he skidded and slammed into me with his side. It knocked the air out of me, and I staggered sideways. Getting a little fed up, I lowered my head and issued a light warning growl, but he was already gone. I kept my head on a swivel, waiting for him to emerge. This time, when he blasted through the undergrowth, I was prepared. I altered my stance and caughtthe back of his ruff as he attempted to skate by with a near miss. In the blink of an eye, I used the looser skin around his neck to flip him onto the ground.

True to his nature, he didn’t stay there. In a heartbeat, he was upright and prancing in place. High above us, the moon had finally risen, bathing us both in pure white light. The same light that seemed to dance in Josh’s eyes. He spun in a tight circle, caught my eye, and took off again.

With an irritated growl, I raced after him. If it hadn’t been for how iridescent his glossy coat was, he would have been impossible to follow. Josh’s lean form made him wickedly fast. But where he was quick, I had endurance on my side and could go for hours at a steady pace.

Thankfully, it didn’t take hours. He gradually slowed, and I closed the gap. Abruptly, he shifted gears and veered off sharply towards a hulking fir. Surprised, I slowed. The closer he got to the towering evergreen, the faster he went until at last he leapt from the ground. His claws cracked into the tree bark a good twelve feet off the ground as he used the tree to change directions, twisting in the air to land where he’d started. Suddenly, he was running right back at me.

Too late, I realized he was on a collision course. He slammed into me once more, and we both went rolling, nipping and snapping at each other the whole way. Finally, we broke apart. Unwilling to fall for his tricks again, I stayed on the ground and only moved to lie on my side. His tail made lazy arcs as he stepped up to me. I glowered, not appreciating the numerous heart attacks he’d nearly given me tonight.

He chuffed a laugh, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He nosed my cheek, a silent plea to lighten up. When I didn’t respond, he stepped even closer, then surprised me by nuzzling my face. As ifthatweren’t peculiar enough, he licked my nose.

I blinked up at him.

He stared back only a moment before flopping down beside me and burying his nose once again in my neck while squirming closer. The tightness in my chest loosened, and for an infinitesimal moment, I dared to relax and enjoy an intimacy I hadn’t experienced in years.

He’s okay. Josh is fine.

Suddenly, his head popped up and swiveled around. I did the same and instantly recognized the unmistakable musk of deer. Josh promptly stood and caught my eye.

I shook my head, the universal sign for no.

In total disregard, he glanced towards the source, his ears twitching in search of more information while his nose tilted up to test the air.

I growled softly, and he huffed in response. Every part of me believed this was a terrible idea, but despite my obvious disagreement, Josh took off anyway. I caught up with him just in time to see the massive stag whose scent we’d caught.

Josh glanced at me from a spot where dense bushes mostly obscured him. I shook my head, and he angled his as if suggestingIbe the one to distract the deer. I shook my head more emphatically. He cocked his head to the side as if beseeching me to trust him. When I didn’t argue any further, he slipped deeper into the darkness and vanished.

I had two choices. I could either abandon this insane hunt and not risk getting impaled on one of those sharp tines,orI could trust Josh not to get us both killed. Not that it was an actual decision. It wasn’t like I could leave Josh to fend for himself.

I eyed the impressive stag. Even several meters away, the thing looked dauntingly massive. I let out a silent sigh of resignation and slunk closer.

Damn that insufferable man.

The stag stiffened, noting my approach. I kept my stance as nonthreatening as possible. Perhaps if I could convince him Iwas wandering by and not looking to make him dinner, then he wouldn’t charge.

That hope went up in smoke at the untimely crack of a twig somewhere else in the forest. The deer blew heavily through its nose and pawed at the ground. I took a hesitant step back, not at all comfortable with how close we were. I took another small step back, and he lowered his head slightly, causing his rack to catch the moonlight filtering through the canopy.

Come on Josh. Where are you?

On cue, Josh emerged from the darkness without warning, just as he had all night. He sailed across the small space like a wolf with wings. If he’d jumped a moment sooner, he’d have been impaled on the wicked antlers. As it was, he had a clear line over the deer’s shoulders.

I stared in disbelief as Josh’s jaws closed around the back of the deer’s neck. His momentum continued to carry him forward. There was a loud crack followed by a heavy thud as the stag’s neck snapped and they both fell to the ground. Josh released his hold and looked at me, his muzzle glistening wetly.

Without a doubt, if I’d been in human form, my mouth would have been hanging open. All things considered, I was pretty sure my jaw was on the ground anyway. I’d never seen anything like it. Deer that size usually took a full hunting party, and Josh had brought it down all by himself with nothing more than a distraction.

I stood gaping at the stag’s lifeless body as Josh approached me. The kill had been quick, precise, and clean. He nuzzled my neck again and gave me a gentle push toward the deer. I stumbled forward, still somewhat in shock from what I’d witnessed. He waited until I lowered my head to the white underbelly, then lowered his to join me, and we broke the tender skin together.