Vann's Victory by Sydney Presley Read Free Book Online Page B

on the lonely roadside. Vann’s guts churned. This was it, the real start to their mission. Once those cars drove away, they were on their own.
    No going back…
    Everyone met on the verge and waited until the only indication that the vehicles had been there were specks of them on the horizon, back the way they’d come. The sun was setting, not long now until darkness descended.
    “By the time we’ve run the remaining distance,” Dillon said, “it’ll be full dark. Vann’s already mentioned that a lap of the compound by the guards is done every hour. Don’t forget, they’ll pass by our entry point on the hour. If we make decent time, as I hope we will, we’ll be at our appointed place at eleven hundred hours.” He looked at everyone in turn. “Next stage. Go.”
    Dillon took the lead, traipsing off toward a stand of trees. They had to strip there, stash their clothes beside trunks, put the phones in their Taser bags then shift. It was all done quickly and without talking or much effort, as though they’d been some kind of undercover team forever. Vann suspected the others had, and once again told himself not to fuck up. This group probably knew one another inside out—quirks, strengths, weaknesses—and had put a lot of trust in Vann and Kip by allowing them to join their band.
    Although it felt good to be wolf, the pads of Vann’s paws were goddamn sore again by the time they’d traveled maybe a mile. The rough ground wreaked havoc. For now, he’d just have to grin and bear it. The Taser bag strap scraped his tongue, and although the handle was short, the damn bag kept smacking into his front legs. It was an irritation he could have done without, but not taking the bags wasn’t an option. Something else bothered him too. They were out in the open, easily spotted if a driver went past. All right, the wolves were quite a distance from the road, but if anyone had a sniper rifle, those on the mission would be easy pickings.
    “Stop thinking like that, Sir, and just run. Focus on what’s ahead but keep an eye on the road at the same time. Dillon will spot danger before we do, I know it.”
    Vann glanced across at Kip, who looked magical in his white coat. His strides were shorter than Vann’s and therefore Kip would feel the journey more than the other, much bigger animals. Yet his determination was clear—there was a job to be done and they had to do it.
    “You’re the sane part of me,” Vann said.
    “And you’re the irrational, frightened side of me, Sir. But times like this… We know from our escape we have to become different people. What we’d normally do doesn’t apply here. Think like Wickland, become harder, a man without mercy. It’s the only way it’ll work.”
    “I know, but—”
    “We can’t save the pack with doubts in our minds, Sir. Think of your parents, of Terena, the rest of the pack, and those poor cubs—my half siblings…”
    Kip’s words helped to bolster Vann’s reserves. He plowed on, more determined than ever to do his part. They continued for a time without communicating. Vann studied the rest of the group and how they all seemed intent on reaching their destination, running full tilt, muscles rippling beneath their coats, tongues hanging from the sides of mouths under their bag straps. This was something Vann had never experienced outside his family unit or while he was with Kip. Solidarity, each member resolute in working together to achieve their common goal.
    Had those at Highgate been brought up to fight for every pack member? Did they class themselves as one big family? Vann thought back to how it had been there, with Sergeant at the helm and those strange circles the Highgaters had formed when faced with adversity. They’d enclosed their quarry, standing shoulder to shoulder.
    Yeah, they’re a huge family all right.
    The pack at Crossways was a divided bunch, each family keeping themselves to themselves, hardly ever coming together. Trust was a massive