62

DOG

After a few hours, the woods give way to rolling, grassy plains, crisscrossed by roads that get older and overgrown with weeds as we approach the center. The sun is hot, but a cool breeze blows. On the horizon, dark clouds gather like a mountain range made of clouds.

"How are you doing?" I ask Orchid.

"Fine," she murmurs.

She's a little upset that I'm carrying her over my shoulder.

It was a necessity. Even though she has excellent stamina, it's nothing compared to me and Truk. We Alphas could run all day without getting tired. Also, our longer stride makes it almost impossible for her to keep up.

"How much further?" his alto voice comes from behind me.

Truk, who is in front, turns to answer. “We're getting close,” he yells. “Just past the next set of hills, you'll see it.”

He turns around, running backwards. His eyes are on Orchid's ass where she's bent over my shoulder.

"I can keep her for a while if you want to share the burden, Dog."

I answer him with a silent frown. He just ro