Walker's Run Read Online Free

the female growl and lower her head. The honed handle in her palm seemed of little comfort, but Casey would at least have a fighting chance if the wolf attacked.
    A howl echoed through the forest. Both she and the animal jumped. Baring her teeth again, the female darted about the camp when the howl erupted again. It was closer than before. Both of her ears twitched, and then perked while the wolf narrowed her eyes. Agitated, the fur on the female’s back twitched, rose, and bunched around her shoulders.
    Casey tried to slow her breathing before she hyperventilated, but panic edged closer. From the animal’s reaction, she could tell the wolf knew something was coming and was debating the issue. It was obvious the creature wasn’t happy.
    After a moment, the she-wolf turned her angry gaze to hers once more, eyes flashing from golden to red.
    Adrenaline coursed through Casey and found her vision much sharper. She wondered if the entire pack was on its way for the feast tonight as yet another howl rose from the forest. The grip she had on the knife brought a dull ache to her palm. She was afraid to move. If she released the blade, the wolf would surely lunge. With another wolf on the way, Casey prayed it wouldn’t show up behind her. Against one wolf she would stand a fighting chance, but two?
    A low growl sounded, one she could feel and hear. Her worst fears confirmed, the other wolf was behind her. Casey kept her eyes trained on the female in front since she’d already shown aggression. She considered the newcomer could be fiercer and was torn about what to do.
    Would she rather look death in the eye or have it come from behind?
    Her only hope was the wolves would distract each other long enough for Casey to put as much distance between her and them as possible. She hoped to make it to the tent for the shotgun.
    The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and a growl from behind resonated up her spine. The female took a step closer and snapped her jaws. The echoed response from the one unseen sounded like it had been brought up from the pits of hell.
    Despite the frigid temperatures, sweat rolled down Casey’s temple. The newcomer’s footsteps padded heavily on the ground. From the corner of her eye she saw him, less than two feet from her. His attention was solely on the female.
    Her heart thundered when she recognized him. It was the wolf she’d spotted earlier. The one she had a history with. Casey had stared at photos of him for too many years not to recognize his unique marks and color. Her fears settled only a fraction with his arrival.
    Remembering the few times she’d spotted the male with a few of his pack mates, Casey recognized the female as well. The female was a darker, only slightly smaller version of the male. Her eyes however were the normal golden color of most wolves, where his were a pale grey. The male had always been her favorite; the other a close second. Despite her unease, Casey wondered why they seemed vengeful of one another.
    The male stepped closer, almost like he was attempting to wedge his way between her and the female wolf. Casey’s heart jumped in her chest when the she-wolf snapped with alarm and lunged a few feet toward the male in a feint move before turning and lunging toward her. With a deep growl, the male jumped and intercepted his pack-mate just before she was able to pounce on Casey.
    Struggling to keep herself from making any noise or sudden movements, Casey clenched her fist around the handle of the knife, waiting for the moment when she would have to fight.
    While their paws scrambled for purchase in the snow, Casey rolled to her feet and ran. The snow was falling rapidly and she slid on a layer of ice and fell while the horrible sounds of the scuffle behind her reached a crescendo.
    She realized almost too late, that she would be unable to make it to the tent and the much needed weapons before the animals turned on her in such close quarters. Fighting with the