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Chapter 38: Panther Hunted
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Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 39: Panther Hunted
Lainie put the final bag in the trunk of her car, ready to just get the trip over. After the latest ambush from her father, the veiled threats from both him and Miles, she just wanted out of Draven Falls and away from anything that had to do with Daniel Everest. Alanna and Josh loaded her car down with more of Josh's own possessions, leaving the bulk of the dishes and household items behind for his sister to use when she returned from her vacation. She would keep the apartment for now, relieving Josh of the burden of getting out of his lease. His family was supportive, of course, and Lainie was just a little bit jealous.By the time they finished all the heavy lifting and showers, the ladies sat around the front room in their bathrobes, towels on their heads, while Josh sat there in shorts and a T-shirt, bare feet propped up on the coffee table. Everyone held a beer, even though Lainie wanted something stronger. "You see?" Josh said after lowering his beer from his lips. "This is how
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 40: Panther Hunted
Dimitri paced outside of the cabin he had prepared for Lainie. They should have been here by now. Josh had called him when they crossed the state line, entering Florida from Georgia, which was almost three hours ago. Had they stopped for dinner and not told him? That would piss him off, since he hadn't eaten anything since lunch, waiting on them.He didn't want his sister to have the same feeling as Josh and he had when they first arrived and saw how overgrown the plant life was around the cabin. Instead, Dimitri spent the day clearing out the shrub around her place, cleaning the inside, and making sure everything sparkled for when she first arrived. He even put a rocking chair on her porch. At least Bull Creek would have a good first impression for her. Of course, with the way things had been lately, that impression could go downhill fast.Dimitri gave up his pacing and moved to the front porch and the rocker he had purchased for his sister. He had just sat down when he heard the rumb
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 41: Panther Hunted
Lainie took a quick shower while Dimitri washed up in the guest bathroom. It had been a long day on the road—over nine hours—and, at first, Lainie wanted to refuse her brother's suggestion of hitting a bar and just climb into bed and sleep the night away. However, the feeling lasted only a second before the lure of a cold beer called to her, and she headed for a hot shower. Monday, she had to show up at the sheriff's department for her first day of duty, so she would make the most of her time off before she didn't have any. Less than an hour later, she was in Dimitri's truck as they headed for the bar he called Everglades. Or rather, she was being jostled in Dimitri's truck because of the crappy roads of Bull Creek."I need to warn you," Dimitri said once they pulled off Crabgrass Road and onto Highway 192, turning left toward Everglades. "This bar is nothing like Shades back in Draven Falls." He glanced over at her and shrugged. "It's more like a…comfy shack."Lainie laughed, believin
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 42: Panther Hunted
Josh's panther leaped over a fallen log as he made his way through the woods around Bull Creek. Dimitri had called him that morning after Lainie called him and asked for Josh's help to locate Miles Hemingway. Alanna remained back at the cabin with Lainie, keeping her calm and preventing her from joining in the hunt herself. Dimitri, Josh, and Nathan had all shifted, sniffed out the residue of Miles' scent around Lainie's cabin and hit the woods. When the scent faded, they each split, racing off in different directions, noses to the ground. They would find the scum that threatened Lainie, and god help the man when they did. Nobody messes with Josh's family.Josh still couldn't believe Lainie had not called Dimitri after she found the note nailed to the door of her cabin. Miles could very well have come back once he knew she was home and broken in to her cabin to carry out whatever vile intentions he intended. The fact that he followed her from Draven Falls to Bull Creek reeked of desper
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 43: Panther Hunted
Wherever Miles hid, he had found a great spot, because no one could find him, not even Karena Hahn, the vampire. She had a stronger sense of smell and sight than any of them and still came up empty. Finally, Lainie had enough and told everyone to just go home. "He's probably just trying to scare the hell out of me," she told them. "Hell, he may have even left right after he pinned that note to my door, which is why we can't find him." Of course, she didn't tell any of them she highly doubted that scenario, not even her brother. If she had, most of them would have camped out on her doorstep all damn night, and she did not want babysitters. How would that look to anyone who saw her as a deputy? They'd think she wasn't up for the challenge, and she would not have that before her very first day, if ever.Lainie was sure her brother still kept a close watch on her throughout the night, but by the time Lainie dressed and headed for the sheriff's department Monday morning, there was no sign o
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 44: Panther Hunted
How the hell could this happen in the parking lot of a sheriff's department?" Dimitri practically roared as he stared at his sister's windshield. "This should be the safest place in the whole damn area." Chet Einstein ran a hand through his shaggy hair with one hand while he held his sheriff's hat with the other. "You would think so, wouldn't you?" He glanced over at Lainie. "Seems you may have left something out earlier." He pointed to the windshield with the hand holding the hat. "Want to fill me in now?"She didn't really, but Miles left her no choice. With a deep breath, she filled her new boss in on her father's arrangement with Lars Hemingway and Miles' refusal to accept no for an answer. "I truly didn't think he'd follow me all the way to Florida, however," she said as she finished her tale. "I didn't realize the depth of his…infatuation.""Infatuation?" the sheriff repeated with a smirk. "An understatement for sure." He shook his head as he glanced back at Lainie. "Do we have
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 45: Panther Hunted
Lainie sniffed around the ground, searching for any trace of Miles Hemingway, the stinging words of their fathers ringing in her mind, mocking her, thinking her weak. She was far from weak, and Miles would discover that as soon as she sunk her claws into him.The humid afternoon air caused her panther to pant as she searched the area. Dimitri stayed close for a while, but then moved off a bit to the south, still within shouting range, but pretending to give her some space. If she thought it was because he thought her as weak as their father did, she would have already chewed into him, but she knew Dimitri remained close more for himself than her. He needed to make sure she was all right. Besides, if they were going to catch Miles, they would need to span out more. Their animal's supernatural noses would pick out Miles' scent quicker than normal panthers, so they could cover more ground. Dimitri already sent Josh, Alanna, and Nathan Landry out searching the area and anyone else he could
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 46: Panther Hunted
Dimitri sped through the woods as soon as he heard Miles' voice calling out to Lainie, scolding himself for allowing the two of them to be separated as they searched for her stalker. Now, he only prayed he could arrive in time."Lainie, stop!" Miles screamed, and Dimitri could hear how out of control the man was by the fury in his tone. "Don't take another step. You need to shift back to your human form and join me. Keep coming toward me as your panther, and I'll assume you're still resisting. That would not be good on your part. Last warning."Don't do it, Lainie. Dimitri prayed. I'm almost there. Just stall him. At least, he hoped he was almost there. He wasn't even sure when Lainie and he became separated or for how long. Then, he finally heard his sister answer her stalker.I'm not shifting, Lainie sent, loud enough for anyone else nearby to hear her and get a read on her location. I'm not joining you. We're not going to be married. We're not going to be anything. Go home, Miles, b
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Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 72: Bear Necessities
Ezra sat in one of the rockers on the front porch of the cabin, his arm in a sling and his shoulder bandaged. Doc Henderson arrived, bandaging Ezra's gunshot wound and Liam's broken arm while Lainie and Johnson took Hoyt and his men to the sheriff's department. Colton arrived just as everything ended, filling the other three Para-Force members in on Mason being the mole and the fight between them, which ended in Mason's death. Erin remained with Ash, Agatha Rochester on the phone helping the girl pull her magic back into herself and out of the dolls and stuffed animals. The little girl didn't need to see the mayhem up and down her street or the destruction inside the cabin. Dimitri and the others started cleaning up the cabin, making a pile of broken furniture to burn while the doctor worked on his patients.Liam sat in the rocker next to Ezra, holding a beer in his uninjured arm. The smaller man remained silent for most of the early evening, lost in whatever dark thoughts roamed his m
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 71: Bear Necessities
Milli walked into Julian's office, moving over to the empty chair in front of his desk, and helping herself to it. "They got the bastard," she said without preamble as Julian cocked an eyebrow at her. "Dent called. Our team arrived too late to help with Hoyt's arrest, but the people in Bull Creek took him and four of his goons down. Hoyt shot Ezra in the process, and Liam has a broken arm." She pressed her lips into a thin line as she took a deep breath. "Mason is dead. Colton and he got into a fight, and it didn't go well for Mason." She shook her head. "He got off easy as far as I'm concerned. He helped Hoyt kill families and sell children."Kacey appeared in the doorway, arms over her chest as she leaned on the doorframe as she listened in on the conversation. Benny stood behind her, hands shoved into his pockets as he stared into the office at Milli.Julian glanced at them briefly and then returned his attention to Milli. "Has Hoyt said where he sold the other children?" he asked.
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 70: Bear Necessities
The bullet barely missed Ezra as he dove to the side out of the way. As soon as he saw the monkey fling himself through the open door, Ezra knew that gun would be an issue. He sat up from the ground, his hand going to the gunshot wound he suffered a few days ago when he threw himself in front of Lainie Everest to protect her from a crazed suitor. As he gritted his teeth, he growled, his bear bursting at the seams of his restraint, wanting out to destroy Hoyt. Glancing around, he watched as Hoyt grabbed Liam's neck, tossing the tiny monkey across the room as Josh struck Hoyt in the gut with the fireplace poker, doubling the man over. Ezra growled as he launched himself from the floor, diving over Hoyt and grabbing the man by the waist as he turned in on himself, pulling Hoyt backward into a reverse somersault. Both hit the floor hard, Ezra smashing up against the wall next to the front door.Two more men stormed through the front door, and Ezra heard the back door bust open as more of H
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 69: Bear Necessities
Colton stared out the window as Ash sat on the couch, little Erin close to her side. He couldn't believe the little girl had enough magical power to enchant so many dolls and stuffed animals with a part of herself, hopefully enough to throw off whatever locator spell Hoyt's sister placed on Erin. He was still unsure how the possessive magic Dimitri talked about worked, but he hoped it worked the way the alpha of Bull Creek thought it would. He hoped the pile of stuffed animals led Hoyt straight to the other cabin and away from Erin. The little girl needed this nightmare to be over. They all did.He could hear the older woman talking to the little girl behind him, doing her best to keep Erin calm in the midst of the chaos that became her life. Ash did a better job of it than either him or Liam did. Colton grinned. Of course, Liam entertained Erin well as a monkey. Colton chuckled as he shook his head. God, what a crazy-ass unit Para-Force was.A knot formed in his gut, anger twisting in
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 68: Bear Necessities
Ezra sat in the cabin, staring at a battered teddy bear that was missing one eye and possessed a hole under its left arm. Josh had been right; Dimitri's idea was one of the wackiest he had seen. They spent the next thirty minutes with Erin putting her tiny hands on each doll and stuffed animal, asking each one of them to talk to her like her doll, Betsy, and then they took the toy into a back bedroom to see if Dimitri's idea would actually work.The biggest surprise was that the idea worked perfectly.Dimitri then sent each of the others off somewhere in Bull Creek with a couple of the dolls to hide them in various places, hopefully, weakening the locator spell, leaving the rest of the toys in a giant pile in the back bedroom, including the original doll, Betsy, which had the most of Erin's essence inside of it. He wanted them in the back bedroom, limiting Erin's reaction to whatever happened in the toys' presence. Colton then snuck Erin out of the cabin, taking her to Ash's home where
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 67: Bear Necessities
As they approached the cabin, Dimitri noticed Cody Wolfe, now in dry clothes, standing off to the side, arms over his chest as he leaned on a tall birch, talking into his cell phone. He glanced up at them, nodding at whatever he heard in the phone."Does anyone else think that man pops up a lot?" Nathan asked as they all came to a stop and stared at the shaggy-haired man. "He's like a bad coin that keeps surfacing when you're in front of a vending machine. Good for nothing.""Do you think him being at the lake and now outside the cabin means he's working for Hoyt?" Josh asked, his panther's hiss evident in his voice. "I'd be more than happy to go have a talk with him, if you know what I mean."Dimitri just shook his head. "No, I'll talk to him. See what he knows, if anything, or if he's just snooping for Bane. That man's been too quiet lately, and I don't like it." He turned to the others. "You guys go ahead and get inside, figure out what we need to do since it's obvious someone knows
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 66: Bear Necessities
Kacey knocked on Julian's door and then entered without waiting for permission. "We have Elizabeth cuffed in the conference room. Jess is watching her. She still isn't talking, though, outside of telling us it's too late."Julian glanced up from a report he was reading, staring at her with his dark eyes. "Unfortunate, but expected."Tyra poked her head through the open door. "Benny is back and says he needs to talk to you. He doesn't look pleased with whatever he discovered."Julian nodded once as he stood, shoving his desk chair back into the wall behind him with his sudden movement. "Let's go see what he discovered. Tell him to meet us in the conference room. Perhaps, his news will loosen Elizabeth's tongue. How much longer before the others make it to Bull Creek?" "They land in Orlando in about an hour, and then, it'll take another hour to reach Colton and Liam," Tyra replied.Julian nodded as he turned to Kacey. "Ask Milli to meet us in the conference room, please."Kacey felt ang
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 65: Bear Necessities
Ezra stared down at the freshly turned earth. He killed men before, but never like this, never so out of control that his rage spurred him into a frenzy. This wasn't him. He sighed as he shoved his dirty hands into his pockets. He never should have allowed them to drag him out of his campsite."You know, I don't blame you," Dimitri said as he stood beside Ezra, leaning on a shovel. "Who knows what that man would have done to that little girl? You reacted to a dangerous situation in the heat of the moment. You helped save that girl. That's all that really matters at this point.""I think I went a little overboard," Ezra said, his gaze still fixed on the grave.Josh stood on his other side, his hands also wrapped around a shovel. He had joined them as soon as Colton and Liam made it back to the cabin. Ash remained with the little girl, playing dolls with her, and Nathan followed Josh to the cemetery. Lainie had called. They shoved the second kidnapper—a Darren Frisk—into an interrogation
Bull Creek Chronicles Chapter 64: Bear Necessities
Kacey stared through the glass of the door as the tall dark-haired woman smiled and giggled at the students in front of her. Elizabeth Cheffron appeared like any other elementary school teacher, excited to be in front of her students, lost in the gift of teaching. Too bad she was a dark witch helping her brother kidnap innocent children as well. How had Para-Force never put this together?"We need to get her out of there," Jess Barrigan said as he leaned back on the wall beside Kacey. "She definitely doesn't belong around children.""I just can't believe Elizabeth would do anything to hurt her students," Principal Ivy said as she stood beside Kacey, staring at the teacher in the classroom. "She's always filled in with such enthusiasm. Never a complaint at last-minute changes or whining about some of the rougher students."Probably because she spelled them to silence while she was in charge of the classroom, Kacey thought. She then turned to the principal. "Can you get her out of there?
