Shifters' Storm by Vonna Harper Read Free Book Online Page A

gotten away from her. Now she studied her surroundings.
    “He isn’t here,” Songan told her.
    “You saw him leave?”
    “I know.”
    Believing him, she picked up the thread of what they’d been talking about. “I’m supposed to go back to a career that suddenly means nothing to me? Leave flowers on my mother’s grave, put her house on the market, do what has to be done to her possessions and wrap up her finances? I can’t. It isn’t enough.”
    Songan lightly ran his rough hand over her neck and cheek. “No. I guess it isn’t.”
    She didn’t want to hear him say guess. The word served as a reminder of the missing parts to him. His human body couldn’t be more perfect. In contrast, his emotions didn’t seem to be fully developed. Something had alerted him to the dead elk, but if he mourned the loss, he gave no sign. No anger over the sexual mutilation.
    Taking a deep breath, she clamped both hands around his wrist. “I need something from you. That’s why I’m here.”
    A barely perceptible shudder rolled through him. He glanced around at the forest, then looked at her. Obviously he wanted to become an elk again and not have to deal with human concerns, even hers.
    “What?” he asked after too long.
    Even though she’d mentally rehearsed the words for days, she had to gather herself before continuing. “This is your land. I know it as well as any man or woman can, but you’re at another level.”
    “I taught you all I know.”
    And she’d always be grateful for his patience and willingness. “But the wilderness doesn’t speak to me the way it does to you. No matter what I do, I’ll never hear certain things.”
    A simple nod made her believe Songan understood what she was trying to say.
    “I want your help,” she blurted. “I need it. She was my mother, the only parent I ever had. She deserves justice, and you…”
    “ You need closure. And you’re afraid that’ll never happen.”
    “Not just closure. Justice. You’ve seen elk that have been shot before. Maybe you can simply accept it. I can’t. Please understand, I can’t.” I owe Mom that and more.
     
     
    Rane knew how vital it was to be prepared when in the forest, which accounted for the rain jacket she’d pulled out of her backpack and put on before heading back the way she’d come. She was sore between her legs and hadn’t put back on her bra because her breasts were still sensitive.
    Head low to protect her face from the rain, she replayed the last things she and Songan had talked about. To her relief, he’d agreed to go to Wolverine. When he could.
    He’d ask questions of his surroundings and listen to whatever the wilderness might tell him. He’d use his keen senses in an attempt to uncover what law enforcement had been unable to. If he found nothing, which she feared he wouldn’t, she’d have no choice but to let law enforcement continue to investigate, but if he learned more than the searchers had about the identity of Jacki’s killer or killers, she’d do everything within her power to find that man or men.
    Her throat dried, forcing her to swallow repeatedly. She’d carried a knife since Mom gave her one for her eighth birthday. To mother and daughter, a knife represented a wilderness insurance policy. They could cut branches for a fire with it, dig roots to eat, gut any fish they’d caught. And, if necessary, a knife might keep them alive.
    Jacki’s knife had been found near her remains, and it now hung from Rane’s backpack. If she had her way, she’d slit her mother’s killer’s throat with it.
    Accepting what she was capable of, she took comfort in the last things Songan had said to her. After reassuring her that whoever had poached the young elk had left the area, he’d added what she’d already known. He had to return to the herd, but as soon as rut was over, he’d come for her. Together they’d go to Wolverine.
    Pushing her pack higher on her shoulders, she picked up her pace. Breeding season