Tyler loosened up. He even laughed into Michael’s head. Maybe the guy hadn’t dragged him out here with murder in mind. “I believe you’re right.” Tyler stood on three legs and turned in a circle. His ankle hurt, but not as bad as a few minutes ago. He was well and truly stuck. There was no way he could climb out of this hole, neither as human nor wolf. The walls had no traction. “Why do you suppose this hole is even here?”
“Was wondering that myself. We are close to the neighbor’s property. I suppose they might be trying to catch coyotes, but I’m not sure I understand why. I’ve never come upon a hole around here before. And we’ve lived here on this land since we were born. Could it be a mine shaft?”
Tyler looked around again. The lighting was dim. “No. I don’t think so. It’s just a dirt hole. Who would bother to dig such a big hole and camouflage it instead of just setting a normal trap?”
“Someone who wants their prey alive.”
Michael’s words made Tyler cringe. They were really in a bind. Tyler needed to send Michael to get help, but he couldn’t even stomach the idea.
“I’m not leaving you here.”
“I suck at keeping my thoughts to myself.”
“You’ll get better. Did you not communicate with your family in wolf form?”
“We didn’t shift much. And frankly, when we did, I don’t think I’ve ever had any secrets before now. I’ve never tried to keep any thoughts from my parents.” Seemed strange now, under the circumstances. Tyler had accumulated so many secrets in the last week to fill a lifetime.
A few minutes of silence passed. Tyler stared up at Michael’s shadow until the man turned his head toward him once again.
“What?”
“I’m in love with Alyssa. I’ve known that for two years.”
“I understand,” Tyler communicated.
“We have to work this out. I can’t live without her. I need her.”
Tyler nodded. A lump formed in his throat. He couldn’t imagine what Michael had been through while he’d been in Spain. If Tyler had to spend even one more day without having Alyssa, he’d go mad.
“I know you don’t think I deserve to be in on this trio, but I’m here now. I didn’t ask for this or do anything on purpose to upset your life plan.”
“I know. Now we just need to figure out how to get you out of this damn hole and go back and convince our woman we can work together.”
Tyler cocked his head to one side and narrowed his gaze up at Michael. “Just so we’re clear, there is no way I’m ever sticking my dick anywhere but in Alyssa.”
Michael chucked. “Just so we’re super clear, if you do, I’ll cut it off.”
Those words should have made Tyler shrink, literally, but instead he found himself relieved. This was a strictly man on woman arrangement. Well, two men on one woman. Nothing more.
“You have to go for help.” Those were the last words Tyler wanted to think, but at least now he knew Michael hadn’t intended to leave him here for dead. They had no other choice.
Michael shook his head. “What if whoever left this trap comes to collect their bounty?”
Tyler’s entire body shook. He went rigid. “I could have done without that visual.”
“I’m not kidding you. You can’t even shift, and even if you could, how would you explain how you ended up naked in a hole?”
“It’s a new sport, you know. Naked, barefoot hiking.” Tyler’s mental chuckle was weak. “Go. It’s still early. How far did we run? It can’t be more than a few miles, right? You’ll be back before dark. What we need is rope. So, unless you see some rope hanging around up there, you have to leave me.”
Michael stared down at Tyler for a long time. “If nothing else, I have to shift back. It’s fucking cold out here.”
Tyler hadn’t thought about that. “Go.”
“I swear I’ll be back as fast as my legs can carry me.”
“I know.”
“We are going to be okay, you and I.”
“I know that too.”
“Alyssa is going to freak.” Michael was mumbling now.
“That is also true.”
“You better fucking be right there and alive when I get back, you hear?”
“Where would I go?” Tyler laughed, but it wasn’t very funny.
Chapter 11
It took less than an hour for Michael to return with his dad and two others in tow. An hour was a long time to be stuck alone in the dirt, but at least Tyler was no longer afraid he’d been left for dead. Michael’s words had been sincere. He knew the man was coming back for him. Michael kept a running commentary the entire time he was gone.