Grim and Bear It
Chapter Thirty-One

Jake

The sun was low in the sky as we inched toward the trees that guarded the property. The branches were nearly devoid of leaves, and one more fall rainstorm would likely purge the rest. The drone had captured enough of the property and surrounding generators to confirm it was likely our target. The moment we set foot on the property, I knew.

While I hadn't gotten any dominant supernatural genes-like the supernatural genes manifesting in my niece I still was sensitive to the unseen world around me. When Romi's arm went out in front of Hazel to stop her from stepping into the forest, I recognized the same warning in my gut.

"I don't like this," Romi said into our earpieces, voice low. "There's something not right with these woods. Don't go too deep."

"Roger," Loren said. "Let's do a perimeter sweep, but don't cross the boundary of these trees."

I scanned the ground with my flashlight, the thick blanket of leaves and mud making it almost impossible to see if there were any hidden access doors. Smart. I hit the ground with my cane before I took a step, making sure I wasn't about to fall into a trap.

When my cane snapped a wire, launching a leaf-filled net into the air and dangling from a tree, we all froze, waiting for an alarm or a response. A squeak of a door followed. "Probably caught an animal again!" someone shouted.

"Get in the trees," Loren ordered.

Paris and I exchanged a look. She understood my silent communication. I couldn't use my leg to climb a tree. She quickly scanned the area and pointed to a tree three rows in. Further in than Romi had advised, but desperate times.

I moved as fast as I could over a slippery surface with a mud-covered cane, then hooked the handle around a low-hanging branch. Pushing off with only my right leg, I hopped up until my hands went around the branch and lifted myself up using my arms. I bit down on my tongue to keep from making a noise, even though I was pretty sure I'd torn my stitches.

Paris jumped onto the other side of the tree, climbing up as if she spent hours in trees every week. After making sure she was secure, I looked around. Everyone else had disappeared. Good.

The back door closed with a bang and a flashlight beam proceeded the shuffling of footsteps. A man, about six foot, with a beard and baggy clothing stepped into view. At first glance he looked almost harmless, but there was something about the way he moved. Smooth and light.

Like a hybrid.

I held my breath as he reached down and picked up a large stick, then poked at the trap. The leaves caught inside rained down, exposing the empty net. A twig snapped behind me and to the left and I bristled. The man stilled and tilted his head, the flashlight beam going across the trunk of the tree, barely missing the branch I laid on. "Fucking squirrels," the man grumbled.

His walkie-talkie bleeped and a woman's voice came through. "Need you in the lab."

He swore again and grabbed his device. "Gotta reset the trap first."

"Trap can wait. Vamp horde has arrived for milking."

More swearing. "Be right there." I didn't even breathe as he walked back to the house.

As soon as the door closed, I blew out a breath. "That sounds like confirmation."

"Agreed," Loren responded. "Let's get out of here."

Paris dropped to the ground as silent as a cat, then turned to me. She grabbed my cane as Loren moved in front of me. "I'll grab your waist."

No wonder this guy was HQ. He instinctively knew what a mission needed. "I'm not a lightweight."

"Neither am I." He winked.

I nearly laughed as I lowered myself by my arms and he grabbed my waist. I let go and landed on the ground without jarring my hip. "Thanks. Probably tore my stitches."

"I can resew them with my eyes closed."

I took my cane from Paris, who was staring wide-eyed between Loren and me. "What?"

"I'm not usually attracted to men," she blurted. "But men who work together without ego, I dunno, just hits different."

I winked at her. She stuck her tongue out at me, then turned on her heel, walking toward the tree line. I had to admit Loren was exactly the sort of person I'd be attracted to, if he wasn't married and I wasn't in love with Poppy. "Will the three of you stop flirting and get moving?" Romi ordered. "I don't feel good."

Her words sobered us as we moved through the trees. I knew without asking that Romi not feeling good meant something other than physical discomfort. I could move fast with my cane, but I couldn't run. Especially on wet leaves and mud at dusk.

We shifted away from the house, toward the end of the property where we had parked the truck. Another snap of a branch and Romi froze, looking to her right as if she could see in the dark. "That's unfortunate." "What?" Loren asked.

A growl emanated from just beyond the tree line. A wolf pushed through the withering leaves, his golden eyes level with mine. Werewolves were big, but I had yet to see one that was as tall as a truck.

Paris breathed an expletive.

"Get out of there!" Loren ordered.

"He's faster than us," Romi said. "Got your gun?"

I pulled out my handgun, the wolf growling at my movement. Would the bullet even slow him down? The wolf took another step toward us, moving slightly to the left. A second pair of eyes emerged from the darkness. Then a third. "Anyone got dog treats?" I asked, taking a step back as the creatures moved closer.

"We don't have records of hostile wolf packs in Hayvenwood," Loren explained. "Whatever these creatures are, they aren't ours."

I released the safety on my gun. "I've got five rounds. I can maybe buy us some time."

"I've got six," Loren added. "We may make it."

"Eleven bullets and three wolves."

"I have three tranq darts and four bullets. Wolves this size probably need two darts and ten minutes each." Paris added. "And there are four wolves."

"Fuck," Loren spat. "Make that six. I've got two flanking me."

"These are some impressive guard dogs," Romi murmured.

"Is there any scenario here where we aren't dog food?" Paris asked.

"Yes," I said, taking a deep breath as the wolves circled us. There was still a small pathway forward. "On the count of three, you fucking run." "This is a terrible plan," Paris warned.

"Give me your gun," I ordered. She hesitated and I grabbed it from her hand.

"Three..." I said.

"If we live through this, I'm going to kill you myself," Paris warned.

"Two..."

"Jake" Loren interrupted.

"One..."