Alpha by D.M. Turner

Author:D.M. Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Campbell Wildlife Preserve, Christian Urban Fantasy, Historical Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Dawn M. Turner
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

1980: Pack

Outside Flagstaff, Arizona

Tuesday, May 13, 1980

“ARE YOU SURE about this?” Ian Campbell stripped off his shirt and shoved it into a backpack. His skin pebbled in the chilly evening air. As the sun had set, the temperature had dropped. It would soon be below freezing. There’d been a bit of drizzling rain earlier that day. The dampness in the air made the cold more apparent. And more penetrating. He shivered.

His friend, Brett Mitchell, shoved a shirt and pants into the pack. “We can familiarize ourselves with the area tonight when humans are less likely to be out here and find a place to run tomorrow where they don’t go. If we stay busy, tomorrow’s dark moon will pass without so much trouble.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing better.” Yeah, so the guilt had been eating at him lately, but he could cope. He’d dealt with it for a long time. This new moon wouldn’t change that.

Brett snorted. “Yeah, right. I’ve known you for how long? And you seriously think I can’t tell when you’re struggling with that old guilt? Please. I’m downright insulted that you think I could be so easily deceived.”

Ian smiled. It had been worth a try, though futile. Brett was right. They’d known each other too long, and Brett was too good at reading his moods, for his friend to buy such a claim. Sometimes that fact was reassuring. Sometimes. He finished removing his clothes, shoved them into the bag, along with his hiking boots, and Shifted into the wolf. Warm fur soon blocked out the frigid air. He waited for his friend.

After a few moments, Brett zipped the backpack closed, Shifted into his wolf, and hoisted the backpack by one of the straps.

Nose to the ground, Ian led the way deeper into the forested mountains, seeking an end to the human scents that permeated even the game trails. Deer, elk, bear, and mountain lion all lay under and over the smell of humans. He trotted on until human scents faded and then completely disappeared. Much better. His eyes followed the contours of the land, seeking a place for Brett to stash their belongings.

A rock outcropping with a couple of trees growing against it looked promising. He approached with caution, sniffing, ears perked, in case another creature had found that spot to take shelter. It was clear. He stepped back and glanced at Brett, who shoved the pack into a gap at the base of one of the trees.

Then they went on the hunt. Deer and elk flourished in that forest. Ian’s mouth watered at the possibility of warm, fresh meat.

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