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Crais(85)



Colton laughed, so loud that the three of us jumped a foot. “You have no idea. I’ve seen Brace in his true Walker form once, and I hope it never happens again. We almost didn’t get him back.” He glanced at me. “Although we didn’t have Red last time.”

True Walker form? What did he mean?

“His sister?” I might not know exactly what he was talking about, but I had no problem guessing the event which triggered it. I’d felt Brace’s pain as he talked of her and this was over a hundred years later.

Colton nodded.

“Hey, where’s Lucy?” I realized I hadn’t seen her since the start of this little drama.

We all looked around, but my tiny best friend was nowhere to be seen. A strange feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Colton bit out, his face falling into fierce lines.

“She was right next to us at the water’s edge when those two Walkers approached.” I moved closer to the lake. I could clearly see she wasn’t nearby.

“I can’t scent her in this area. She’s gone.” Colton had his face lifted into the breeze.

“Did you just say scent?” Fury said, raising her eyebrows.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead he yanked up his shirt, revealing a perfect ivory body. He was not as muscled as Brace, but he was close. When his hand moved to his pants, I cleared my throat.

“Is this really the right time for a strip show, Colton?” I was working hard to ignore the buzz of panic at the back of my head.

The last time Lucy had disappeared she’d been kidnapped. I hadn’t opened the bond to Brace yet – I wanted him to calm down – but if Lucy didn’t stroll up in the next few minutes I’d have no choice.

Colton tilted his head, sizing me up, and then his eyes started to change. I stepped back as a light reflected in their white-blue. And then he dropped his pants in one swift movement.

Before I could say ‘what the eff?’, he’d shifted into a giant wolf.

A strangled screech left my lips. I opened and closed my mouth, but no sound emerged. Fury, Talina and I moved closer together as the Colton-wolf stretched and shook out his mane of fur. He was beautiful: pure white with just black on his ears and around his eyes. He straightened on all fours, and I was staring into his icy blue eyes. I realized he was almost my height.

So at no point did you think it was a good idea to mention that Colt was going to strip butt naked and turn into a very large dog?

I had no choice but to open the bond.

You saw Colt naked? That’s a shame. I’m going to miss my best friend, since I now have to kill him.

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me.

I just told you that where there once was a large blond Walker, there is now a large white wolf, and you’re worried about me seeing him naked?

Men. Stupidity at its finest.

Why is he in his other form?

I can’t find Lucy. In the fight, she disappeared. And right when we’re about to start our search, I turn around and Colt is stripping off his clothes, has a snout and is probably looking for a tree to mark his territory on.

He’ll want to scent her. His senses are unparalleled in that form. I’ll be right there. Don’t let your guard down; his wolf is not always trustworthy.

Great. An almost six-foot, five-hundred-pound wolf was going to be easy to control. Where was his leash?

I suddenly had another thought.

Uh, Brace, do you turn into a wolf as well?

Colton had said he had a true form. His laughter bubbled through me.

No, Red. Colt’s the one with the interesting family tree. There are no animals in mine.

I was distracted as Colton, who was sniffing around the area, started a low growl. His fur stood on end down the length of his massive body.

“What, Cujo? What did you find?”

He eyed me with what looked like wolfy disdain. Stepping closer, his hot breath fanned my face, and I was just wondering what he was doing when his tongue darted out and he licked the length of my face.

“Ewww, Colt, come on.” I couldn’t help but bury my hand in his soft fur. It was so silky on top, but I felt a dense undercoat. “Brace said you were scary, but you’re just a teddy-wolf.”

“Uh, Red, did you misunderstand my last words. I said be careful of the psycho wolf.”

I lifted my head from where I’d rested it against Colton’s side. Brace wore an amused expression.

“I’ve always wanted a dog.” I kissed the wolf’s nose.

Colton snorted at me, before shaking off and stepping away.

“He wants me to tell you he picked up Lucy’s scent leaving the area. We’ll follow it with him.” Brace grinned. “And he said call him a dog one more time and he’ll be forced to ...” Brace reached out and grabbed Colton by the scruff of the neck. “I’m not telling her that and if you mention it again Abby will have a nice wolf rug for her floor.”