Cernunnos - 19. Chapter 19

“Any day now, commander.”

Hearing his Alpha’s gruff voice broke Shea’s contact with Cyn. Right. I need to attach the pack to Cyn. Gripping the satchel, the lycan placed it on the buck’s back and fastened the straps on the beast’s undercarriage. Bringing out the additional harness strap, he did his best to tighten it around the front of Cyn’s neck without causing an issue. “Is that bothering you?”

Cyn let out a light breath from his nostrils, signalling that it wasn’t. Feeling the bag on his back, the buck was very pleased with its weight. It’s really light! I wonder if they gave me the lightest one of the three. He was slightly miffed by the assumption that he would be given the easiest burden, but let Sheamus play the role of the leader.

The commander walked over to the last pack and started to take off his clothes, “Alpha, you mind attaching my pack?” With a nod from Arric, Shea stripped naked and dropped down as he started his shift.

Cyn watched in amazement. He stared at the lycan’s human body and soaked in all the details before he heard the bones snapping. Staying still, the deer kept his nerves in check as he watched his friend’s transformation. Once it was done, Shea turned to Cyn and displayed his tongue while panting. He’s happy to see me. Relieved to know he still isn’t considered fodder to the wolves, Cyn darted his eyes to Arric, who was attaching a similar bag that rested on his back. That one looks bigger! Did he give himself the heaviest one?

After a moment of recognition, Cyn took a few steps closer to Shea. I just need to get used to being around him. Well, around all of them! He knew Kara and Jaime had eyes on him, and that caused some unease. The second he was in front of Shea curbed all negative emotion. It is so...calming. Why is it calming to be around a wolf? The three wolves looked to their Alpha, forcing Cyn to as well.

Arric took off his shirt and began a pile of his folded clothes. Cyn couldn’t decide whether to watch or stray his gaze. Arric’s an Alpha. I don’t know if looking away would be a sign of dishonoring him. Settling on watching, his stomach churned in fear. He’s...he isn’t going to eat me! I know this! Sheamus said he was good, and I trust him. Bolstering that mindset, Cyn felt determined to see Arric’s shift through to the end. With his clothes all in a pile, Arric took out his slender hair tie and tossed it on top of his shirt.

Feeling the cold breeze brush against his body urged his muscles to twitch. Damn, it has been too long since I’ve shifted! To stand here in the cold reminds me that I need to run more often. After a long and deep breath, he began changing. As his limbs cracked and changed in size, white fur erupted from the lycan’s human skin. Arric stayed on his feet as long as possible before leaning forward to land on his front paws.

Cyn stood in mixed emotions. He was terrified at the sight of the large wolf. It’s...so much bigger than the silver one! Arric can easily outrun me. Looking over the snowy white wolf, the deer was almost struck by the masculine beauty the animal possessed. I’ve never seen a white one before! Is Arric from a colder region? I think that's where the white wolves are from. The deer’s sense of danger rang through his mind as he saw Arric staring him down. Those...those hazel eyes! They’re so sharp! Cyn took a step back and flicked his head to the side, as if to see where to run.

A low and swift tone came from the white wolf. Heeding the Alpha’s warning, Cyn did his best to calm down. He’s...he’s right. I need to breathe. I’m just getting scared again. The deer was once again startled as Shea rubbed against his body. Wow! I didn’t know he got so close! Sheamus is really quiet. The wolf made a couple snorts and head bobs as he directed the formation. Kara started walking towards the south and halted. She gave a small yip to signal Cyn to come alongside her.

With Shea behind Cyn, the four watched Jaime sprint ahead to scout the area. When the auburn wolf made a considerable lead, Kara stepped forward, letting Cyn know it was time to go. The group started off walking and increased their pace to a steady trot. Watching the dark gray and silver coated wolf to his right, he could tell Kara wanted to go faster. Cyn let out a small bleat to encourage a faster pace. I can handle it. If they want to go faster, then I’m for it! Kara woofed to signal her appeal to the decision and increased the pace to a jog. She let out a howl to let her mate know ahead of their quickening pace, and a lower howl could be heard from ahead.

The group ran for over an hour. Jaime would give empty or bland status reports every half hour through small barks that would echo through the forest. After the third, Shea gave a loud bark for him to return as they were nearing the site of the attack. Cyn’s heart began thumping as he started recalling the haunting memories from days ago. He began to breathe heavier. We’re here. This...is where I found them!

Cyn slowed down, prompting the team to follow suit. Kara gave a resounding woof through the forest to warn Jaime that they have stopped. The deer lowered his nose to the ground, looked to the east and spotted the cresting hill. That confirmed his initial findings. This is where the chase first started!

Shea woofed towards Cyn, asking for a reason why the group halted. With a snort, Cyn revealed this is where the attack started. Kara and Shea looked at each other with cocked heads. The commander walked further to smell the area and began to smell the area. This can’t be right. Cyn said this is where the wolves began their hunt? Following several head nods and audible statements, the lycans listened to Cyn’s recollection of the scene. So they waited over that hill. Shea took off to the hill and sniffed around. He’s right! Their scents are faint but the three were here! He barked towards Arric just as Jaime rejoined the group.

Alarmed by the commander’s statement, the Alpha growled in anger. Smelling the air was nearly void of reminiscent odors. The tracking team I ordered for never found this location! Either someone is terrible at tracking, or there are more treacherous worms than anticipated. Despite the commander being the one in charge, he uttered an order for Cyn and Shea to lead from now on with their new mission to follow the scene. We’ll have to note our findings. The entire tracking team, minus the Anton runt, is now completely compromised.

Cyn and Shea walked along the deer’s instructed path. Through the snow, no tracks could be found due to the recent snowfall. After a short while, Cyn halted again to point out the direction the first wolf took to chase the herd. Shea snorted for Kara and Jaime to quickly scout the area while the three paced onward. Just as Cyn was going to signal a halt to show the direction that Colman drifted off towards, Kara and Jaime ended their sprint back. They reported to Shea and Arric there were a few rotting carcasses that fit the timeline, along with traces of Hauser’s scent.

The buck’s body trembled hearing of his herd’s fate. At...at least a couple of them made it out. I hope they continue on. Bobbing his head once towards a hill, he informed the wolves of Colman’s projected location. Cyn was taken aback when Shea took a whiff of him and darted off in the general direction. He’s using my scent? That can work, I guess. Being together with the herd can create a scent that sticks to us. The shifters waited for Shea’s return.

After several minutes, Arric ordered Kara to check on the commander. Farren can handle his own, but I need to know for certain that he’s alright. The group waited for the return of their friends, and after a few more minutes, the two wolves cantered back. When questioned for results, Kara and Shea shared a concerned look and informed that the initial rumor from Anton was correct. They had found Colman.

Cyn’s head dipped down in a fresh wave of remorse and Shea was quick to respond. He walked over and rubbed his body against Cyn’s, letting loose a hushed whimper. He needs to know that we are here for him. The wolf hesitated as he gazed at the lost eyes of the buck. Maybe...maybe I should? After a moment of contemplation, Shea rubbed his head against Cyn’s. He felt the other wolves were watching. I don’t think I need to hide my feelings anymore. I like the little man, and he needs me right now.

The buck slowly raised his head and looked at the wolf. He...he just nudged me. He nudged me by the head, using his own. Evaluating the sign of affection, Cyn felt giddy and returned the gesture, forgetting about his former dark thoughts. Is this what being a boyfriend is about? Sheamus reminded me that everything will be okay, and he let me know that he likes me.

Earning a soft yip from Arric, the two continued on with their mission. Cyn led the way as he recalled his chase. Following the straight line he ran, he knew he was getting closer as the minutes passed. Did I really run this far? Some of the trees seem familiar, but I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the details. He stopped. A familiar scent hit his nose and Cyn’s stomach began to churn. He had smelled his own blood.

Making a slow step forward, the buck knew he needed to guide the wolves to the destination. Shea sped up past the deer. He must have smelled it too. Cyn, Arric, and the Turbins caught up with the commander as they approached the scene. In a series of varying audible noises, Shea described to Arric the trio’s approach to the incident.

Cyn stood in fascination, despite being near the spot he was nearly killed. The...they were doing an exercise? They were tracking random scents and they came across the silver wolf. The buck dipped his head back down and sniffed the snow. They...they found me by pure luck. Maybe I should have died that day. Or maybe not. Sheamus was there for a reason, but why that day? What made that day any different? Riddled by his inner thoughts, he sniffed the snow once again.

His eyes widened. Cyn raised his head and looked straight ahead. No, not that way. Turning the left gave no results either. Arric quickly noticed the deer’s reactions and gave a bark towards the trio. Despite both Arric and Sheamus using snorts to ask what was wrong, Cyn persisted in his search. Something...no, someone is looking at us.

He circled his body’s position and stared around, analyzing every detail he could see. Just as he was going to give up and continue forward with the group, he saw it. A small reflection of light. No. It...it can’t be. Cyn snorted loudly.

The shifters understood, and Arric uttered a low woof, a simple order.

Scatter.