Megans Mark (Breeds 6)

Backing up, Megan kept her gaze on the curve that led around to the other side of the canyon. Why wait there?

What were they searching for? Her mind was alive with twisting emotions

that made no sense, that she had no time to sift through. But she could feel the answers there, just out of reach. Both Mark and Aimee's, as well as whoever lay in wait now.

They definitely weren't Coyote, she thought as Braden pushed her back up the path to the head of the canyon. She kept low, moving between the sheltering boulders and brush as they rushed up the steep slope. Silence was imperative. She was aware of Braden's silent demand, of how he braced her when needed, keeping her from stepping in the softer areas and leading her along firmer ground.

From below, she could feel patience, silent watchfulness. Whoever was there knew that she and Braden were also, or at least suspected they would be rounding that curve. They were waiting on them.

She wanted to whimper as pain seared her mind. It took every ounce of strength she possessed to flee back up the path, to concentrate on climbing rather than lying down and moaning at the pain.

As they neared the top of the cliff, Braden pulled her to an abrupt stop. She felt it then. Just above them, waiting.

"You stay. " He pushed her behind the boulder they were using as a shield, turning to stare at her, his eyes blazing gold with fury. "I'll be back for you. "

She caught his arm, defiance filling her. She had come this far, she would be damned if she would let him shelter her now.

"I'll be behind you," she told him, careful to keep her voice low. "From here, we can break off, shimmying along the side. We can move to the top of the cliff with the smaller boulders and brush covering the entrance. We'll be hidden and on either side of them. "

His lips flattened, an instant denial flashing in his eyes.

"It will work, Braden," she whispered. "We're not that far from the Raider. You can smell them, right?"

He nodded briefly.

"You'll know where they're at once we get to the top. You can signal to me and we can take him out. It's the only way. " She could feel it. Her brain was a morass of sensations and information she couldn't make sense of, but this made sense. Someone was waiting on them, possibly to stop them.

"We fight together or we don't fight at all," she told him fiercely. "I won't be coddled. "

"You'll be dead if you don't do as I tell you. " He growled. "Let me check

it out first. "

Megan stared back at him furiously.

"Go then," she said coldly, releasing his arm and settling back against the boulder as anger burned in her chest.

"I'll just sit here like a good girl and wait on you. "

"You do that. " He grunted, nodding sharply. "Give me ten minutes. If you don't see me after that assume the worst and use this. " He pressed a small locator in her hand.

"And this is?"

"The signal goes straight to Jonas. He'll have help out here soon. Stay hidden and shoot anything that moves the wrong way. You're fairly secure right here. " He touched her cheek before flashing her a wicked grin. "But I do intend to be back, baby. "

He grabbed her by the back of the head, pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips, then moved off.

Son of a bitch. He was trying to protect her. Playing the big bad Feline hero taking care of the weak little woman.

She snorted at the thought. She did not think so.

One.

Two.

Three.

She watched him make his way to the left, using the craggy outcropping of the cliff to hide his presence.