Free Pack Community (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith Page A

can’t forgive her for leaving him.”
    Gray took in everything that was said. Would Beth change her mind like Toby’s mom? He didn’t even know if they could have kids or what the result would be if they did.
    “Have you ever heard of two different species mating?” he asked.
    Dawson tilted his head in thought. “I know a few who have mated with humans. Claude and Dorothy, as matter of fact. Plus Casey is a bobcat and Prince Zachary is a lion, but as for a wolf and a bobcat, I just don’t know.”
    That was what Gray had figured.
    “I guess you will have to decide how far you want to take it,” Dawson suggested just as the ranger station came into view.
    They repeated the same steps as yesterday, looking into the closed station before walking around to the trail that was barely there. Gray didn’t get any sense of being followed, not even by Jim and Claude. So either the other two shifters were still pretty far behind or they were better at hiding their scent than he’d thought.
    Gray and Dawson had a better idea of where they were going this time but still took the time to cover their tracks and double back to make sure they didn’t lead anyone to the Prince’s hideout.
    They stayed in human form, so the trip up the canyon took longer than it had the day before. Several times they had to help each other up embankments where their animals had easily jumped.
    They took two breaks to drink water and eat a granola bar before they finally made it to where they had run into the wolves and Casey. Just as he’d suspected, as they reached the area, RJ Cross was waiting there for them.
    He jumped down, landing gracefully on his feet. “There you are.”
    Gray leaned against a rock and glared at the other man. Gray was in good shape but the late night and second day of hiking up the steep canyon were taking its toll on him. His back muscles protested and his legs were starting to cramp.
    Meanwhile, RJ seemed full of energy. “Where’s the sheriff? Casey said he was coming with you.”
    Gray motioned behind them. “He’s heading up with Claude. We split up so we could keep an eye out for if anyone was following.”
    “Cool!” RJ hopped back up on the ledge. “We need to get started before I die of boredom. Here comes Mike.”
    The other wolf stalked down in his animal form. He moved quietly, glancing behind him a few times. He shifted and seconds later a naked man stood in front of them all.
    “I think they’re here,” he announced, accepting the bottle of water RJ handed him.
    “About damn time,” RJ muttered. “Time we finished this.”
    Gray exchanged looks with Dawson, not sure how he felt about the upcoming conflict.
    “They came through this morning as soon as the gates opened. They didn’t take a map or ask about any of the trails. The ranger had the feeling they knew where they were headed.”
    “Are you sure it’s them?” Gray had to ask.
    Mike scowled at him. “Yeah, I sniffed around their vehicle. They’re shifters and I recognised their scent from the cabin we took Zach from.”
    “So it’s on.” RJ clapped his hands together. “We need to tell Casey.”
    The other men nodded and they followed them to the cave they’d been to before. Jim and Claude would just have to catch up.
    Casey greeted his brother with a hug and Gray with a handshake. Prince Zachary looked tired but offered them a small smile as they entered the cave. The other feline stood at the far cave wall, rifle on his shoulder.
    Mike explained to the rest of them what he had seen and found out.
    “So it’s time,” Prince Zachary acknowledged, although he seemed more resigned than RJ and Mike had been.
    Casey rubbed his shoulder. “We capture these guys then at least we know, when he goes back to get your cousin, there will be fewer complications. It has to be done.”
    “I just don’t want anyone else hurt on my account,” he told his mate, shaking his head sadly.
    Casey wrapped an arm around his shoulders and