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As a note to the reader, while characters in this story are over eighteen, the narrative contains descriptions of bondage, anal and oral sex, and body modification. If any of these acts offend you or are illegal to read where you reside, please move on. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Chapter 18: The Chase
The forest blurred past as Dave, Jeff, and Jake raced through the underbrush, each cradling a whimpering pup against their heaving chests. Twigs snapped beneath their paws, and branches whipped at their faces, but they pushed on relentlessly.
"They're gaining on us!" Jake gasped, his frame shaking with exertion.
Jeff cast a worried glance back at his younger lover.
"Just keep moving, Jake. We can't let them catch us."
Their pursuers were relentless. They had picked up their tracks overnight and had been hot on their trail since daybreak. They had been running and hiding through the forest for almost ten hours as they moved between the mountainous terrain. But, their modified bodies seemed built for the task.
Dave's muscular form took point, golden hair matted with sweat as he nimbly leapt over fallen logs and wove between trees. His football training had prepared him for this - reading the terrain, anticipating obstacles, pushing his body to its limits.
"This way!" Dave called out, veering left down a narrow deer trail. "The brush is thicker - it'll slow them down!"
Jeff and Jake fell in behind him without hesitation, trusting Dave's instincts implicitly. As they ran, Jeff's thoughts raced. How had it come to this? Once, they had been normal college students. Now, they were being hunted. Their bodies had been transformed. They were fleeing for their lives with their wolf pup children, who shared a portion of their hybrid DNA.
The agents tracking them grew closer. They could all smell them. Jake stumbled, nearly losing his footing on the uneven ground. In a flash, Jeff's strong arm steadied him.
"I've got you," Jeff murmured, his eyes full of fierce protectiveness.
Jake managed a shaky smile of gratitude.
Ahead, Dave paused at a fork in the path, considering. In that moment of stillness, the gravity of their situation hit him anew. He was responsible for all their lives now. The familiar pressure settled on his shoulders, not unlike leading the team onto the field before a big game. Only the stakes were infinitely higher.
"We need to find shelter soon," Dave said, his voice low and urgent. "Night will be falling, and we can't keep this pace much longer."
Jeff nodded, cradling his pup close.
"You're right. But where? We're in uncharted territory here."
"If this were Skyrim, I'd say look for a cave," Jake quipped weakly, trying to lighten the mood despite his obvious exhaustion.
Dave's lips quirked in a ghost of a smile. Even in dire circumstances, Jake's nerdy humor shone through. It was one of the things Dave had come to love about him.
"A cave is not a bad idea, actually," Dave mused. "Natural shelter, defensible..."
His tactical mind whirred into action.
"Alright, new plan. We find high ground and scan for any rock formations that might conceal an opening. You guys with me?"
Jeff and Jake nodded in unison, their trust in Dave evident. As one, they plunged back into motion, their bodies working in concert despite the fatigue.
The trio began to scale higher into the hilly terrain. However, soon, Dave skidded to a halt, his breath coming in sharp gasps as he faced the steep ravine that sliced across their path. The ground dropped into a dark abyss, jagged rocks jutting like teeth ready to snap at any misstep. Panic flickered in Jeff's chest, but he quickly masked it with determination.
"All right, guys," Dave called out, his voice steady despite the urgency of their situation. "We can't waste time here. It's about fifteen feet across. I'll go first."
"With the pups?" Jake asked, glancing down at the squirming bundle in his mouth.
The little creature's soft whimpers tugged at his heart, but there was no time to hesitate.
"Trust me," Dave replied, his blue eyes sparkling with confidence.
Dave picked Sky out of her sling and held her scruff tightly in his mouth. He then crouched low, muscles coiling like a spring, and launched himself into the air, soaring gracefully over the chasm. Time seemed to slow as he flew, his strong legs propelling him forward, and he landed with a thud on the other side, barely breaking stride.
"Your turn, Jeff!" he shouted as he put the pup back away, already scanning for the next path.
Jeff swallowed hard, adrenaline surging through him. He could feel the weight of Duke clutched tightly between his teeth, the young pup's small body quivering with fear. He glanced at Jake, who nodded with wide golden eyes, mirroring his own blend of excitement and dread.
"Okay, let's do this," Jeff murmured, digging deep into the well of strength he'd cultivated over years of farmwork.
He positioned himself, feeling the rush of wind against his fur as he prepared to jump. With a forceful push from his powerful legs, he leaped, heart pounding wildly in his chest. He landed just beside Dave, jolting slightly but stable. Relief washed over him, and he turned back to see Jake take off, his lighter frame carrying him across with surprising agility, even while cradling his pup. They were a team, a synchronized dance of movement born from trust and instinct.
"Nice landing, Jake!" Dave cheered, grinning broadly as they all caught their breath for a fleeting moment.
But then, a crack echoed through the trees, harsh and jarring. The sound of snapping twigs sent a chill racing down Jeff's spine. He exchanged a glance with Dave, the gravity of their situation swiftly settling in.
"Move!" Dave urged urgency threading through his voice. "We need to get moving now!"
"Where to?" Jake whispered, anxiety creeping into his tone.
"Follow me," Dave said, his natural leadership shining through. They took off again, hearts pounding, a shared unspoken promise binding them together. As they sprinted higher into the terrain, the tension of their escape wrapped around them like a thick fog, each rustle and shadow amplifying their resolve.
The men chasing them were equipped with state-of-the-art tracking devices. Far above the tree canopy, a drone coordinated their movements and tracked the heat signatures of their prey. They were closing in on the three beasts. The thick forest undergrowth muffled their footsteps, but their determination was unwavering. The trio was less than a mile ahead, right where they expected - they wouldn't get away.
As Jeff, Dave, and Jake continued to run, they suddenly faced a series of traps. With precision honed from countless video gaming sessions, Jake's keen eyes spotted the pressure plates camouflaged among the fallen leaves. His heart was racing, and he barely managed to signal the others to stop. They froze mid-stride, their nostrils flaring as they tested the air for other traps or signs of danger.
"We need to split up!" Jeff hissed, his voice a low growl. "We'll lead them off in different directions and regroup at the top of that ridge over there."
The others nodded in agreement, knowing it was their only chance. Dave took off with the agility of a cheetah, weaving through the trees effortlessly and avoiding a net trap that closed inches above his head. He glanced over his shoulder, making sure the agents were following him.
"Come on, you bastards!" he growled, daring them to chase him.
Jeff turned to face their pursuers, attempting to divert their attention while Jake sprinted ahead. As Jeff braced himself, one of the agents lunged at him, but the beasts evaded the blow with a well-timed dodge. Jeff smirked.
"You'll have to do better than that!"
As the agents turned their focus on Jeff, Jake darted forward, his small frame slipping past the remaining traps. He glanced back, ensuring Jeff was still holding his own before continuing. A tranquilizer dart whizzed past his ear, embedding itself into a tree trunk. Jake swore under his breath, picking up the pace.
The trio moved higher and higher, using what brush and tree cover they could to evade their pursuers. Their beastly forms gave them superior speed, and soon, they widened the gap. As they neared the top of the ridge they had identified earlier, they found each other. Their breaths were ragged, and their hearts were pounding like drums.
"Now what?" Jake panted, his chest heaving.
"I don't see any cover here," Jeff replied.
"Next ridge?" Dave asked.
Jeff and Jake nodded and made their way down the mountain and deeper into the forest.
The sun was starting to get low on the horizon as they raced. They could feel the heat of their pursuers' footsteps closing in on them - an occasional dart whizzing by their heads when they slowed their progress. The agents, equipped with advanced tracking equipment, were relentless in their pursuit, leaving the three beasts with no choice but to rely on their wits and instincts to stay one step ahead.
As they pressed on, they eventually found their path blocked by a fast-moving river, its currents treacherous and unforgiving. The sound of their pursuers' footsteps grew louder, making the situation even more urgent. They needed to cross the river quickly, or they would be cornered.
"Over there!" Dave shouted, pointing at a fallen log partially submerged in the water that stretched almost to the other side. "That could work."
"Dave, that water is moving fast, and it is cold as shit!" Jake replied.
Dave tested the water with his paw and smiled.
"No colder than the river near our old cave and I used to fish in that with the other bears all the time," Dave replied.
Jake was unsure.
"But the pups!"
Jeff turned to Jake and rubbed his arm.
"Dave knows what he is doing. We have to trust him."
Jake nodded as Dave carefully moved across the log. As he reached the halfway point, his body sank lower into the water, but his massive frame seemed not to notice. He pulled Sky from her sling and grabbed the scruff of her neck in his massive jaw as he moved to the end of the log and then leaped into the water. It was deeper than he expected, but he was able to keep the pup out of the water as he made his way to the other side and scrambled to the bank.
"I'll go next," Jeff replied as he made his way across the log.
Jake watched nervously as his packmate carefully pushed his body forward. When he reached the water, he gasped.
"Fuck this is cold!"
The sound of their pursuers then caught their attention.
"Hurry!" Dave shouted.
Jeff grabbed his pup in his mouth, quickly leaped in, and swam across, nearly sinking into the water before Dave grabbed and hauled him and his bundle to safety. They then turned to Jake and urged him on.
Jake nervously got to the log and scooted across. As it dipped lower into the water, he could see how fast the current was moving, and he froze.
"Guys, I don't think..."
A tranquilizer dart whizzed by his ear, and he turned to see the agents chasing them were only yards away.
"Move!" Dave screamed.
Jake pulled out Teddy, bit on the scruff of the pup's neck, and leaped. In the next moment, he was deep in the water. He could not tell where the surface was. He panicked. His arms flailed for something to hold on to until a large paw scooped in and grabbed him. As he was hauled to the surface, he saw Dave had leaped in to help. The pup was coughing from swallowing some water but appeared unharmed as they all reached the shore. However, there was no time to waste. The trio secured the pups in their slings and bounded back up the next ridge as fast as possible.
They paused at the top as they scaled a steep incline, panting for air and surveying the valley below. The sun set, casting the world in a warm, golden glow. In any other circumstances, it would have been beautiful.
"There," Jake hissed, pointing to a jagged outcrop of rocks a quarter-mile away. "It might be wishful thinking, but I think I spotted a cave entrance."
Dave's heart skipped a beat.
"Then let's move!" he barked, his usual confidence returning. "Time's wasting, team!"
The group descended the hillside with renewed vigor, their paws alternating between carrying their precious burdens and providing stability on the uneven terrain. The air grew cooler as they approached the rock face, the fading light casting sinister shadows across the landscape.
Finally, they reached the mouth of the cave, panting and covered in dirt. Dave took point as he cautiously scouted the entrance. The narrow passageway inside widened into a cavernous space, deep enough to hide their group and pups from prying eyes.
"All clear," he rasped.
The three of them went inside, claws clattering against the cold, damp stone. The pups whined in protest, but exhaustion soon claimed them once more. The only sound was their ragged breathing and the distant drip of water. Unspoken tension hung heavy in the air as they settled down on the hard rock floor, their bodies mere inches apart for warmth.
"We did it," Jake whispered, awe in his voice. "We outsmarted them."
"Maybe," Jeff replied. "We can only hope."
Dave nodded, his body vibrating against the cold stone.
"Yeah, well, we ain't outta the woods yet," he said.
"I'm starving," Jake said. "Our pups have to be too."
"Here," Dave said as he handed Sky to Jake. "I'll see what I can find."
"Dave!" Jeff shouted. "We just escaped! They are out there!"
"And our kids need to eat," Dave replied. "What would you have me do?"
Jeff groaned.
"I'll be careful," Dave replied as he winked and left.
Jeff and Jake huddled together. The adrenaline from their escape was wearing off, leaving them with a heightened awareness of each other - and the changes they'd undergone.
"I'm so tired," Jake groaned as he held Teddy, Duke, and Sky. "We can't keep up like this."
"I know," Jeff said as he rubbed Jake's head. "We will think of something."
Jake closed his eyes, and Jeff watched over them all. He knew his words were hollow. There were no guarantees they could escape their pursuers. The forests covered a large area, but they were not endless. He just hoped that their luck would hold out.
After an hour, a shape appeared at the entrance to the cave. Jeff grabbed Jake as Dave walked in with two rabbits over his shoulders.
"Well, I have food," Dave said with a smile.
"And we can't risk cooking it," Jeff replied.
"So, I have permission to eat it raw for once!" Dave said excitedly.
Jake laughed.
"This one time."
Dave's tongue appeared and licked across his muzzle as spit dripped down.
"Yum!"
Jeff rolled his eyes.
"Now we will all get worms."
"Oh, hush!" Dave growled as he tore at one of the rabbits and pulled meat for the pups, who eagerly approached to eat.
"We should rest here tonight," Jeff said, voice heavy with weariness after they ate. "Dave, why don't you take the first watch? Jake and I will take turns after you."
Dave grunted his assent, settling himself at the mouth of the cave, ever vigilant. Jeff and Jake moved to the back, their pups in tow, as they found a suitable area to curl up and get some rest. As they drifted off into an uneasy slumber, the drips of water around them echoed in the chamber.
The night passed without incident. The only sounds were the hushed breathing of the beasts and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Dawn crept over the horizon, bathing their refuge in a palette of fiery hues.
Jeff stirred first, stiff from a night spent on the hard ground. He winced as he stretched the kinks out of his protesting muscles. Dave stirred and yawned, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Morning, guys," Jake said from the mouth of the cave. "All is quiet so far."
The three made a meal of what was left of the rabbits and then turned their attention to their next moves as the pups played in the cave around them.
"We can't risk leaving here," Jake said. "I bet they are tracking us somehow."
"Yeah," Jeff said. "But I don't know what else to do."
"We could explore deeper in the cave," Dave replied.
"But what if we get lost?" Jake asked.
"We can see in light much dimmer than humans need," Jeff said. "And we have our senses to guide us."
"Yeah, but we can't see in the dark!" Dave replied.
"Good thing I packed these!" Jake replied as he pulled out two flashlights.
"Where did you find those?" Jeff asked.
"In the back of the Jeep," Jake replied. "Figured they might be useful."
Jeff smiled and kissed Jake.
"You are getting a double knot from me when this is over."
"And from me," Dave said with a smile as he rubbed his balls.
Jeff rolled his eyes.
"Let's grab the pups and go."
The cave angled downward for some time. As they moved, they came upon several large galleries filled with various types of rock features, stalactites, and stalagmites. In one area, they found a clear pool of water where they could refresh themselves, and Dave managed to find several rodents that made for a quick snack.
After resting for a while, they continued. Soon, the cave angled upward, and the climb became difficult. Dave had to help Jake as he struggled to find his footing, and doubt began to creep into their minds about whether they would ever find their way to freedom. After several hours, the passageway began to narrow.
"This is not good," Jake replied. "That usually means a dead end in my games."
"Well, let's hope we find a hidden level," Jeff said with a wink.
"Guys!" Dave exclaimed. "Get up here!"
The two looked up and saw Dave was on a higher level above them. They scrambled up the rock face, and they could see what he was looking at when they approached his position. A beam of light shone down from above.
"Well, at least that is a positive sign!" Jake replied.
The three went down to the bottom of the chamber and saw the shaft coming from a crack two levels above them. There was a path up, but it was treacherous. So, they moved slowly and deftly to ensure no one was hurt. When they finally reached the top, they saw an exit to the cave beyond, covered in ivy and branches. As they stepped out, they were momentarily blinded by the afternoon light filtering down from dense brush.
"Fresh air at last," Dave groaned as he sat on the ground.
"We must have walked several miles," Jeff said. "Right through the entire ridge system."
"But where are we?" Jake asked. "And are we safe?"
"Well, I vote to hunt for food while we can."
"Go for it, big guy," Jeff replied.
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As with my other stories on Nifty, I accept and love to get constructive feedback and criticism from my readers. You can contact me at slavebear1976@gmail.com