Later into the evening, Julien knew they had to leave now before daybreak. He just hoped that Lacey was up for it.

"Gggrrrooolll!!" a wolf-shifter growled outside the cave.

"Lacey!" Julien gently shook her shoulder. "Lacey! Wake up!"

She opened her eyes, sitting up abruptly and rubbed her eyes. "Julien, what is it?"

"Someone's here," he said, running his hand along the side of her hair as he rose to his feet. "Stay here." Then he let the tremors run down his spine ...