Awakening the Beast by Crymsyn Hart Page B

bring her back, it would give the ravens hope. If there were others in the caves with them, then he knew that they had to get them out. It did not matter if they were wolves or ravens. They were all together as one group. They were no longer separated. Those who had lived in the trees all their lives had come to the ground. They were out of their element at first, but they adapted. A group of three or four wolves could fight off a cougar. To save those who were imprisoned, he would take the risk to free them, perhaps losing others in the process.
    “How many are being held?”
    “Five or six besides Marshall and Coret. Tullin was the one who found them.”
    Another man appeared from behind the tree apparently listening to their conversation. He was a younger raven who had come of age before the invaders had come. Christopher did not know him that well. When Christopher looked at Jalisa he thought he saw something between the two of them. Jalisa had changed in the weeks they had been on their own. She was not so angry with the world and was willing to help out whenever he needed it. She was not about trying to twist him into being mates anymore. Maybe when they officially got their land back, he would make her his beta. It had been a while since a woman was second-in-command. Many of the council did not believe a woman was strong enough to earn the position, but he knew better. Many things had changed and were still changing. The old rules of their lives did not apply anymore.
    “That’s wonderful. How many guards are there?” Christopher asked.
    “I saw two vultures in the trees and two cougars guarding the entrance. I don’t think they think their prisoners will run away,” Tullin told him.
    Jalisa glanced at Christopher. “They don’t know the forest the way we do. We have to start using it to our advantage. Come on, you remember how we’d get lost in the caves and find our way out?”
    “It’s a risk, but it should work. Do you think the prisoners will be able to make it?”
    “What are you talking about?” Tullin asked.
    “There’s another way into the cave system where they have the prisoners. It’s a little tricky to get around in the dark. Jalisa and I used to do it all the time when we were little until my mother died. After that, things changed.”
    “Can you get back in there?” Tullin asked.
    “I can. We should go tonight. The clouds are coming in and the moon will be hidden. They won’t even know we’ve been there until we’ve gone.”
    “You need to stay here and watch over the others. You’re our leader,” Jalisa said to him.
    “No. I’m no leader if I do nothing. I’ve lead us to the end of the forest where I have left us to die. I won’t let that happen. I’m not going to sit around anymore. Things need to be done. This is the first step.” Christopher felt his resolve grow stronger. This was the start to making things right. If they were going to explore the cave at night, they were going to need a lamp. But it would be faster to get there on four legs and not two. He searched around his tent and found a small lantern they could use. He grabbed a piece of flint and steel he used to make a fire and placed it inside of the lantern.
    “What’s that for?” Tullin asked.
    “We’ll need to be able to see in the cave. It’s pitch dark,” he responded.
    “I’ll carry it.” Jalisa said.
    “Thank you.”
    “Let’s go.”
    He stripped off his clothes and let the wolf take over. It had been a while since he had run and it felt good to be covered in fur and not skin. With the beast out all his instincts were focused on getting his target. Jalisa ran next to him carrying the lantern between her teeth. He raced through the forest toward the back entrance to the cave sites further north, hearing the steady swish of Tullin’s wings above them.
    They ran for an hour up the coast until they came to a spot where the cave system opened up. The entrance was overgrown with vines and