Split seconds of brightening flashes again made familiar surroundings discernible and Annie Purcell, sixteen-years old, hummed louder to herself as she quickly tripped along toward her Uncle Link Morgan's home, unaware of the avenging eyes intently watching her approach. Had she been closer when the skies briefly glowed she might have caught the glistening reflection from the gold medallion that hung from a chain at the throat of the huge German Shepherd dog. She might even halve seen the figure of an eagle embossed on one of its sides, or the ancient Roman centurion on the opposite… or perhaps, the name inscribed in circled letters: Caesar…!
The sleek and powerful animal had stealthily slipped into Crescent Valley once darkness had blanketed the town. With embittered patience, he had lingered in a nearby wooded slope waiting for the shadows to lengthen, his unique senses vindictively tormented by the cruel, drawn-out death of his mate. He had watched the unnecessary torture and instinctively thought of his young in her belly. Around him, the pack had uneasily milled at her agonized cries, certain males daring to move in close, as if to challenge his leadership. But a growling warning had been sufficient to shy them off. There was nothing to be done, he accurately sensed, when the human chose to destroy them… nothing, only retribution!