“This isn’t good.” My stomach gurgles in protest. Nauseous, I choke down the abundance of saliva gathering in my mouth.
“No. That’s why this is so important,” He taps the book. “It gives us hope.”
“What happens if nothing changes, Kirk?”
He grows quiet.
“Kirk.” I place a hand on his knee. I squeeze and he looks up.
“We’ll lose more women and eventually we’ll fade into obscurity.”
“How long do we have?” This is more dire than Alpha had let on. Hearing our leader has been lying and sketchy has me in a mental tailspin.
“Before it’s irreversible?” he asks.
“Yes.” I swallow, afraid to hear his answer.
“It depends on the rate the sickness spreads. But no more than fifty years. We need a new pack with members, born or acquired.”
“Alpha has always been against bringing new people into the fold.” Would he send us to extinction for his pride?
“And if he doesn’t change his opinions, or find the cure it’ll lead to our end.”
“How can he have his head so far up his ass?” I ask, revulsion burning the back of my throat.
“You understand why I’ve withdrawn.”
They shunned him and painted him out to be an abnormality. A man who fell under the heavy weight of caring for our people. I’m pissed off for him.
“He can’t get away with this.” My hand slams the cushion beside me, driven by the force of my anger.
“If we don’t come up with something else, we’ll have no choice.”
I close the book and stand. “Then we should get to work on this ritual.”
The corners of his lips curve upward and I see the weight on his shoulders lighten as something in him loosens. His face is less pinched.
Kirk’s demeanor makes more sense. He’d been carrying the secret of our inevitable demise.
“I don’t want to leave them.” The desire to have them within reach at all times is intense.
“Bring them with us,” Kirk says
“Agreed.” I gather the books, and place them in a leather satchel.
“It’s going to be a bit of a hike. I suggest you wear the proper shoes.
“Where the hell are you taking me, Doctor?”
He laughs. “Into the woods. Where else? I’m going to pack some things for us.”
I finish getting ready while he stocks a backpack before joining me at the front door, and we head out.
An hour later, we pull onto an overgrown path and park.
“You realize this is the beginning of several horror movies, right?” Taking in the forest, I press against the car windows and doors, like the trees are trying to swallow us whole.
Kirk chuckles. “It’s not a secret if it’s easy to access.”
“Are you going to tell me where we’re headed?”
“Up the mountain.”
Where does Fells’ family live? Will I finally get a chance to see what he left town for? Because I’m not buying his data collection, history keeper bullshit.
“Why the cloak and dagger routine?” Learning more will help me better understand Fell’s motivations. Fenrir knows I need the closure.
“These people have a different way of thinking. It’s not always welcome in town, and they prefer to keep a low profile for safety reasons.”
I narrow my eyes at his vagueness.
“I feel like there’s a whole story behind that statement.” He lifts his head and the sun kisses his golden brown skin, highlighting his strong jawline. He’s a modern-day knight protecting the villagers.
“There is, but it’s not mine to share.” I admire his integrity.
It sets him apart. He pushes his door open. “The sooner we get going the better.”
Stepping out, we gathering our things, he slips on his backpack, and we set out.
