Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [103]
“But why didn’t we hear him? That doe was in pieces on the porch, that’s not an activity that’s easy to keep quiet.” Braden glanced down at himself. Christ, he was a mess. Covered in blood and bits of fur.
“Markko probably partially dismembered it in the woods, then pulled the manageable pieces up onto the porch,” Chase muttered. “Judging by what was left, he used his jaws, not a knife.” Chase’s faced pinched in anger. “I should have realized something wasn’t right. He should never have gotten this close to the family.”
Braden sighed. “This isn’t your fault,” he acknowledged. “We knew Markko was planning something, we just didn’t expect him to be so bold or act so close to the house. It won’t happen again.”
“Alright.” Braden’s father tossed him the keys. “You head out—get rid of the rest of the deer. Take the old hunting road a few miles north of here—you can dump the doe out there. Chase and I are going to see if we can figure out where the bastard went. There’s no way he dragged the deer all the way across the lawn without leaving a blood trail.”
Braden clenched his hands, the cool metal of the keys digging into his palm. “I don’t want to leave here while you’re out of the house. Caleb’s on his way home. When he gets out here I’ll take care of this.” He jerked his head toward the truck.
“Alright. But don’t let your mother see you like that.” His father glanced at his bloody clothing. “She won’t show it, but it’ll upset her.”
“I’ll keep to the porch until Caleb’s here.”
“Okay. Chase, let’s go.” They left with long strides carrying them to the edge of the woods where they could shift. Chase stopped a few times, inspecting the surrounding lawn, no doubt already attempting to piece together the events of last night.
Unable to go back into the house, Braden pulled out the hose and started to rinse off the porch. He’d have to come back out later with something stronger than water, but for now, this would keep him from climbing the walls until Caleb showed up. He was halfway through spraying down the porch when the screen door creaked and snapped. Beth stepped out, carefully skirting the area where the majority of the deer had been.
“Go back inside.”
She looked tired and scared, but she tilted her stubborn chin at him and set her expression.
“Why don’t you come inside? You’ve been out here all morning.”
Braden turned his attention back to the spray of water, unwilling to watch Beth attempting to withstand the fear he could see trying to tear her apart. “I want to get this done before Caleb gets here.”
A soft hand landed on his shoulder, another reached around and gently pried his fingers from the hose. “Come inside, Braden. I can finish this while you get cleaned up and get something to eat.”
The scent of her surrounded him, pure and sweet and heady. She didn’t belong out here, surrounded by the violent remains of death. “I’m fine. As soon as Caleb gets here I’m going to go dispose of the deer. I’ll clean up after.”
“Fine. I’ll go with you.”
“The hell you will. Go back inside, Beth.” He wrenched the hose from her and turned away.
“No.” Her arm jerked him around, the spray of the water arcing wildly. “You don’t have to do this on your own.”
“Look who’s talking.”
“Hey.” Her voice softened, beckoning him to look at her. Soft fingers stroked his arm cautiously. “There’s no reason for you to go by yourself. None of us should be alone right now. We’ll wait for Caleb and then I’ll help you get rid of the deer.” She pulled him around, wrapping her arms around him. Her warmth surrounded him, offering comfort, even against the filth he knew covered him.
Braden dropped the hose and gently put his hands on her shoulders, pushing her back. He saw her eyes shutter, anticipating rejection. “I’m disgusting.”
“I don’t care.” She reached for him again.
“I do,” he said, keeping his hands firmly on his shoulders. “I don