CHAPTER 10%
The forest swallowed me whole. Each breath burned my throat, my heartbeat a frantic drum in my ears. My bare feet pounded against the damp earth, twigs snapping beneath me as I ran.
Run. Don’t stop. Don’t look back.
Damon is alive.
The note had ignited a wildfire inside me, pushing me forward, even as exhaustion clawed at my limbs. I had nothing left–no pack, no home, no safety–but I had that. Hope.
Branches tore at my skin, shadows shifting in my peripheral vision. The wind howled through the trees, whispering threats I couldn’t afford to listen to. My body screamed for rest, but stopping wasn’t an option. I knew Ivan. He would have men searching for me by now!
And if they caught me, I wouldn’t get another chance.
I tightened my grip on the small dagger I had stolen from the quards‘ quarters before slipping out. It wasn’t much, but if they came for me, I’d make sure I didn’t go quietly
The memory of Ivan’s smirk burned in my mind. Will you stop fighting me?
Never.
A flicker of movement to my right sent my pulse into a frenzy. I skidded to a stop, pressing myself against a tree, straining to hear beyond my ragged breathing. The forest had fallen eerily silent. No wind. No crickets. No rustling leaves.3
I wasn’t alone.
A low growl rumbled from the darkness. My grip tightened on the dagger The shadows shifted again, and then–1
A wolf stepped into the moonlight
Not just a wolf. A rogue.
His fur was matted with dried blood, his yellow eyes gleaming with something feral. My breath hitched. He was massive, bigger than any ordinary wolf, his muscles rippling beneath his dirty pelt.
One rogue meant more. They never hunted alone.
I glanced around, searching for an opening. The trees were too dense. I’d never outrun them
The wolf snarled, lowering into a crouch.
Think, Cynthia. Think!
If I shifted, I’d be faster, but I was weak. A fight in wolf form might drain me completely. My fingers curled around the hilt of the dagger My best bet? Injured and run.
The rogue lunged.
I dodged, barely, the snap of his jaws missing my throat by inches. My back slammed against a tree, pain jolting down my spine. He whirled, coming at me again. I raised the dagger, aiming for his throat
A second wolf tackled me from the side.
Pain exploded in my ribs as I hit the ground, the air knocked from my lungs. I barely had time to roll before claws raked across the dirt where my head had been. I scrambled up, dagger at the ready
Too many. Too fast. I wasn’t going to make it!!
A howl tore through the night, deep and commanding.X
Everything stopped.
The rogues froze, their ears flattening, their bodies going rigid. My breath came in sharp gasps as I followed their gaze.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
Tall Broad Familiar
Darmon
His dark eyes burned with fury, his chest heaving as he stepped into the moonlight. He was bloodied, bruised, his clothes tom, but he
Relief crashed over me so hard I nearly collapsed.
He didn’t take his eyes off the rogues. “Get away from her,” he growled.
The wolves hesitated, their instincts warring between fight and flight. Damon took a step forward, his presence a force of nature. His hands clenched into fists, his stance ready for warl
One of the rogues let out a low snar.E
Damon shifted E
It was instant–one moment he was a man, the next, a massive black wolf, his fur bristling, his golden eyes gleaming with power. He was bigger than them, faster, deadlier.
The rogues made their decision. They bolted, disappearing into the trees. Silence.
I swayed on my feet, my body finally catching up to the adrenaline crash.
Damon shifted back, his breathing ragged. His eyes searched mine, his jew tightening at the sight of the bruises marring my skin. “Cynthia” His voice was rough, almost broken. “You’re hurt”
12:13 PM
D
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m fine.”
A lie. But I didn’t care. Not when he was here.l
He took a step closer. “You shouldn’t have come alone.”
Flet out a breathless laugh, a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief. I had no choice.”
Damon’s jaw clenched, He reached for me, hesitated, then closed the distance, his arms wrapping around me.
I broke. The dam of emotions I had been holding back shattered, and I clung to him, my body shaking with silent sobs.
He was warm. Solid Safe.”
His grip tightened. “I thought I lost you!
I buried my face against his chest. “You almost did.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of our breathing, the quiet hum of the forest around us.
Then–Damon pulled back, his expression darkening. “We need to move.”
I nodded, “Where?”
He hesitated. There’s a safehouse. Not far. But Cynthia His fingers brushed against my stomach, the barest touch, his eyes. searching mine. “Is it true?”
The world stopped. He knew.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Yes,7
Damon exhaled sharply, his gaze dropping to my stomach, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. Then, he nodded, his expression hardening
“Then we fight“|
His voice was steady, unshakable.
Ivan had taken everything from us. He had hunted me, hurt me, tried to break me. But I wasn’t broken
I met Damon’s gaze. “Together.
He gave a firm nod, his grip lightening around mine
And together, we disappeared into the night.
Because this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
I was done running.
It was time to take everything back
