Chapter 171

Hearts pounding, muscles tense, the four of us began our trek up the mountain. Luckily we'd had stalking practice when we hunted as wolves, and we were practically soundless as we moved up the steepening slope. Fortunately it was grassy instead of rocky so our paws didn't slip and make extra noise. I crawled from bush to bush, knowing my pack was near me and reassured by their presence. I kept my breathing even and quiet but there was nothing I could do about my quickening heart. We moved as quickly as possible without making too much noise, and the murmured voices grew louder as we reached the vampires' location. Up the mountain, I could see the light emitting from the cathedral and realized how close we were. There wasn't a lot more forest between here and there, so after a few more minutes, I crouched even lower until my belly fur was scraping against the ground. I crept as close as I dared and I could soon hear every word the vampires were saying. Up ahead