Across Enemy Lines

Chapter 2

            “What do you mean? That’s not being mean,” Jaxson said grabbing me and squeezing me into a bear hug. I tried to wiggle out of his grasp but he had too good of a grip.

            “Can’t…breath…” I wheezed out. Finally understanding, Jaxson released me. I stumbled back a little but my dad was there to steady me. I gave him a grateful smile then turned to my brother. I was about to get ready to give him a piece of my mind when a wolf burst through the woods on the opposite side of the yard from us. My brother and dad immediately tensed up at the sight. Pack members rarely were in wolf form unless training or just getting back from a run. This wolf was definitely not doing either of those things. The fur near the nape of his neck was on end meaning there was something wrong. Very wrong if he was coming to my dad about it.

Once he got in front of us, he slid to a halt. I turned my back to him, giving him privacy to shift back and change. Most people in the pack didn’t mind being nude in front of others but I’d rather not see or been seen by anyone else.

“What’s the problem Bram,” I heard my dad say urgently. I looked over my shoulder to see the Beta of the pack, dad’s right hand man, dressed in cut-off shorts. He was breathing heavy which means he had been running hard for a good amount of time.

“Hunters. They crossed the border. There are about thirty of them moving in from the west side. If we don’t cut them off, they could be here in under the hour,” he managed to say between breaths. I inhaled sharply at the news while my brother and dad growled lowly. The pack had been living here in Colorado for over ten years. Everyone liked it here. If the hunters find the houses and attack, we’d have to move.

“Ok, get all the wolves on patrol right now to meet us on the west side where the river splits in five minutes. Jaxson make sure all the families are notified of the threat and then find us,” my dad ordered. They nodded then took off to do their duties. My dad ran to the house. I followed close behind.

“What about me?” I asked following him down the hall and into his study. I stopped in the doorway and watched him walk with a quick pace around the room.

“You’ll stay here,” he replied shortly. On his desks were maps and records of the hunters’ movements. He came to a halt at the map and glanced over it, drawing his finger over the area Bram had indicated. He was forming a plan of how to get the hunters away from the area. If he could avoid a straight on attack, then that’s what he’d do.

“Dad, I’m not going to stay here. Let me come with you,” I said stepping into the room and placing my hands on the desk.

“No you will stay here where I know you are safe,” he said glancing up at me both looking back down at the map. I could feel my frustration mounting at not being able to do anything.

“You can’t do that. I want to help,” I exclaimed hoping that I could change his minds. He still had three minutes before he had to be at the meeting place with Jaxson and Bram. I didn’t want to be left home alone. I wasn’t useless. Suddenly my dad slammed his hands on desk causing me to jump back in surprise.

“Damn it Nia. I said no. I don’t have time to argue about this. Just do as I say and I’ll be back later,” he yelled. I was used to dad be on edge but he’d never yelled at me like that. I stood there in shock as my dad checked the clock before moving past me and out the door. I ran after him once my feet would move. I stopped at the back door. I spotted him just in time to see him blend in to the surrounding woods, disappearing from my sight.