Chapter 33: Searching for You

I screamed in horror as my heart dropped to my stomach. I looked down at the rapids and saw no visible sign of Zander.

Maurice came to inspect the rapids and motioned for his pack members to leave. I was left alone and kept my eyes on the rapids.

My eyes welled up with tears while my throat constricted. I understood what Zander did for me, but that didn’t mean that I wasn’t heartbroken. I tried to spot him in the rapids below, but my eyes were too clouded by tears to see clearly.

I stood there letting all my tears fall down and sank to my knees. Eventually, I got up and decided to go find him when the last of the warriors left. I didn’t want them to follow me and possibly find Zander still alive. The warriors would waste no time finishing him off, and I couldn’t have that happening.

Suddenly, I remembered we had left all of our stuff at our makeshift camp. I needed to grab at least one of our bags of food and clothes. If Zander were alive, he would need food and dry clothing.

I grabbed his bag of clothes and and transferred my things into his bag and picked it up before walking away. I had to find him now that I was ready.

I don’t know how he could have survived. My heart ached at the thought of losing him, but the rapids were moving incredibly quickly.

I carefully made my way to the rapids below and searched for any sign of Zander. I refused to believe he was truly gone. My heart wouldn’t accept that he had died in sacrifice for me.

Maybe his scent was around the area. I just hoped that I could pick up his scent, even if it was faded. Certain scents didn’t stick around as long as others, as I had noticed over the years of tracking animals as a wolf.

Please let Zander be around. I sniffed the air and continued to walk around the side of the rapids, so I wouldn’t fall in.

What if Zander had already fallen in and drowned? I was too late if that was the case. I tried to rethink in a positive way and pushed horrible possibilities from my mind. My heart felt like it was in shattered pieces thinking of Zander being missing or dead.

I had to keep being strong and brave. No way would I give up on finding him. Zander was a strong warrior and wouldn’t let himself die that easily. He wouldn’t give Maurice the satisfaction.

Eventually, I picked up a faint woodsy scent of Zander coming from a heavily wooded area. I immediately followed the scent and hoped it led me to an unhurt Zander.

After walking a while, the scent got stronger and stronger. There was also another scent of a strange and musty smell. A second person passed through here after Zander. Thankfully, the second scent didn’t overpower the first.

When I spotted Zander, relief poured throughout me. He was being tended to by an older man with shaggy hair and a fishing hat on. He was also unconscious unfortunately. But at least he was alive.

I slowly approached the hermit.

He didn’t get startled when he saw me and asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m this man’s friend. My name is Cleo.” I added, “Thank you so much for taking care of him.”

“No trouble. Do you want to take over? I’ve done all I can, but some of these wounds are pretty deep.”

“Yeah, I’ll take over.” I looked at Zander and then back at the hermit. “Are there any camping grounds around here?”

The hermit scratched his head and said, “Well, there’s a cabin that’s owned by some rich folks. They only come here in the summer but leave the electricity and plumbing on all year round.” He added with a grin, “I may have borrowed it a couple times. As long as you leave it as you found it, you should be ok. .”

“Thank you so much sir. I appreciate all your help and for telling me about the cabin.” I asked, “Where exactly is it?”

The hermit put a finger under his chin and said, “Oh, it’s about a quarter mile from here and past a weirdly shaped rock. The rock almost reminds me of an animal.”

“That's very helpful. Thanks again.”

He nodded in acknowledgment and went on his way. The grizzled man left without taking any of the things he had been using to tend to Zander’s wounds.

That was luck that the old man had been around at all.

Now I had a slight problem. Zander needed to be moved to the cabin. I knew I wanted to stay by his side until he woke up. I wanted to hear his teasing voice and his darn nickname for me. I’d give anything to be called “princess” again.

He probably wasn’t in a coma. I think he had passed out from all the blood loss. My injuries weren’t nearly as bad as Zander’s. My ankle had already started healing from being broken. I only had a slight limp now.

The first aid kit wouldn’t fit into Zander’s duffel bag, but I could take him to the cabin and then come back. I’d also return for the duffel bag later as a wolf. My speed was faster in my other form.

I carefully tried to pick up Zander up off the ground. My wolf strength allowed me to support his weight.

At least I hoped. I didn’t want to drag him all the way to the cabin. That would be too exhausting on my muscles. It was easier to carry his whole weight in my arms.

Dragging him as a wolf would probably scare who saw us, so I decided not to try that. Someone out in the woods would try to shoot me. I couldn’t risk getting killed while trying to get Zander to a more stable place to get better.

I carefully picked him up and carried him in my arms. Zander was heavier than I thought he’d be. I could manage but would have to rest before arriving at the cabin. My arms would give out if I tried traveling the whole way without stopping.

I constantly looked down at him and made sure he was still breathing. Zander couldn’t die on me before we got there. I hoped he’d hold out until we made it to the cabin.