Redeeming the Lost (A Comforter's Tale)

Chapter 25

"I don't get it," I said, watching the six red-eyed wolves running along the sides of our group. "When we went searching for ferals, it took us days to find one. Now, when we aren't looking for them, they literally run alongside us?"

"It's the drive to run, to forget," Conrad quietly replied. "They think that is what we are doing, so they joined us. Even when feral, there is comfort with others."

"As long as they don't attack us," Aimee said across the packlink uneasily.

"That is why all the non-former-ferals are all riding in the middle. I'm hoping Julie's aura will settle them down a bit by the time we stop for a break and something to eat."

"I'm working on it," I said. With how strong my aura was, my friends were probably having a hard time resisting it. If nothing else, Aimee, Jordan, and Anabel were merely uneasy even though my aura was primarily focused on the ferals.

The ferals weren't attacking the former ferals, possibly recognizing them as one of their own, although Aimee, Jordan, and Anabel were in the middle of our group because our new guests couldn't barge past the wolves surrounding them. When they had first found us, they tried a couple of times before my aura reduced their aggression enough that they were content to simply run with us or go after any animals they saw and catch up a while later.

Day two, and we had six ferals following us. I had a feeling that this could be an interesting trip. Assuming anyone believed us afterward.

~

       Conrad sniffed the ground. "Hey, look at this."

"What is it?" Amber asked, trotting over to smell the ground. "Oh! He must have made a loop and crossed his path! The second trail is only a few days old."

Natalie, one of the six who had joined us, said, "If we pick up our speed a bit, we can probably catch up to him in two days."

"I'm up for that plan," Anabel commented as she leaned against Josh, who was still in his wolf form, "but Josh will be carrying me. My skills lie more along the lines of travelling unseen and avoiding danger as opposed to racing through the forest without caring about what I encounter."

Natalie grinned at her. "Why would a pack of ferals – or former ferals – have to worry? Nothing short of a heavily protected pack border can stop them – it's why most packs try to lure them away or have archers in trees to distract them until enough fighters come to push them back."

"The rogues I was with used to throw small bags of pepper powder at ferals to drive them away."

"That doesn't surprise me. A feral's sense of smell is pretty sensitive, so it's one of their bigger weaknesses."

"What are we waiting for?" Steven asked, impatiently prancing in place. "Let's go!"

"I think I need half of your energy," Anabel muttered. She often ran in wolf form until she grew tired and hitched a ride with Josh. The time she spent riding was decreasing, but the former rogues still weren't able to keep up with this full-tilt run that lasted most of the day.

"I'd trade it for a quarter of your patience, but, in the meantime, let's catch this elusive guy! Betas aren't exactly the slowest things around, even if they are on the older side."

"He's got a point," Conrad conceded. "A Beta is already as fast as the average feral, and it won't take him long to build up the stamina to match. Judging by his scent trail, he isn't travelling with any other ferals, so he won't be slowing down for their pace. We really need to find him while we can still catch up."