Rogue (Book 2) (The Omega Group) Read Online Free Page A

sneer on Bill’s face was yet another reason
why Carter stayed as far away from his family home as possible. Not that he
needed more reasons.
    Without another word, Carter led his companions to the
lodge. “We’ll need to leave our bags here. The chief spends most afternoons at
the falls, so we’re in for a bit of a hike.” The receptionist at the lodge was
much friendlier than he expected and allowed them to use the restrooms to change
into hiking gear, and to store their bags behind her counter. For a small fee
of course.
    At that time of day, the long trail from Supai Village to
the falls would be all but deserted. Even the most hardened hikers tended to
keep their travel scheduled to the early morning or late evening—when the sun
was less hostile. The solitude was exactly what the team needed.
    When they were far enough away from the village, Jackie
started the conversation. “So, what’s the deal with the Yavapai tribe? You
seemed shocked when the general mentioned them.”
    Carter took a moment to gather his thoughts, doing his best
to keep them away from Gina. “There’s a long history there. Really long. There
are a lot of Pai tribes, most of which have peacefully coexisted for over a
thousand years. The Yavapai are a different story. If you believe the legends,
they were driven out of this area by the other tribes centuries ago. They lost their homes and became nomads, moving from place to
place, never settling down.”
    “That’s awful,” Jackie said.
    “Not when you consider what they did to earn their
expulsion. They were always on the warpath, never satisfied with what they had
and always looking to take from others. Their warriors decimated so many
tribes, mine included. In fact, legend has it, that’s how we became
shape-shifters. They say our god felt sorry for us when we were almost wiped
out by the Yavapai and gave the men of our tribe this ability so we could fight
back. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I do know the Yavapai believe it.
Our two tribes have been bitter enemies for a very, very long time.”
    Han chimed in with his usual wit. “So, you’ve got a Hatfield
and McCoy situation. Any chance it has something to do with what’s been going
on here?”
    “I’m not sure. But what happened at the airport makes me
think it might. That guy was Native American and he shifted into a bear. The
Yavapai have spent over a thousand years trying to obtain that ability. If they
somehow got it, they would definitely come back here to get their revenge.”
    “Well, on the bright side, at least now we have a suspect.
How much further to the falls?” Although Jackie was in peak physical condition,
she was not an outdoorswoman and was clearly hating every second of this hike.
    “Not too much further,” Carter lied. They hadn’t even
reached the campground yet and their destination, Beaver Falls, was another
four miles past that.
    The longer they walked, the less they spoke. Both Han and
Jackie seemed distracted by the incredible scenery around them. Even Jackie
looked, at times, to be enjoying herself. When they reached Mooney Falls,
however, and she saw the precarious rock wall she was going to have to climb
down, she gave Carter a look that said, “I hate you.”
    Carter didn’t take offense. Although he loved the adrenaline
rush that descent always provided him, he understood that most people would
feel the way she did.
    “How do you make this climb in your wolf form?” Jackie
asked.
    “I don’t. On four legs I can go straight to the bottom by
leaving the trail a ways back. On two legs, that’s not possible.”
    When they made it to the pool at the base of the falls
without incident, Jackie regained her happy demeanor. Carter, on the other
hand, didn’t. Mooney Falls brought back far too many memories and, despite his
best efforts, they flooded him now.
    He’d been seventeen years old when he met Gina. He’d left
his village shortly after sunset so he could let his wolf