Chapter 10

The forest seemed to close in on me as I limped further into the shadows, the weight of fear heavy on my chest. Emily's words echoed in my head, pushing me forward even though every step sent sharp, searing pain through my ankle. The sound of the pursuers behind me still lingered, though more distant now. She had succeeded, at least for the moment, in drawing them away.

But how long could she hold them off?

The night air was cold and damp, each breath forming a thin cloud in the dim moonlight. The trees overhead cast jagged shadows across the ground, making it impossible to see the path clearly. Every rustle, every snap of a twig sent waves of panic through me, the darkness alive with danger.

My ankle throbbed mercilessly, and I leaned against a tree, struggling to catch my breath. I couldn’t keep this pace for long. I had to find shelter, a place to hide. The thought of Emily sacrificing herself for me burned in my mind. I couldn't let it be for nothing.

A sharp pain in my side reminded me why I had to keep going. My hand rested protectively on my stomach as I looked around, desperate for any sign of a clearing or a hiding place.

Then I saw it.

Through the thick trees ahead, there was a faint shimmer of light—unnatural in this wild place. Maybe a cabin, or another car? My pulse quickened with hope, even as my body screamed for rest. I pushed forward, hobbling toward the source of the light. Whatever it was, it was my only chance.

As I got closer, the light became clearer—a single, dim lantern hanging from the porch of a small cabin, nestled deep in the woods. It looked abandoned, the wood weathered and the windows dark. But it was shelter, and right now, that was all I needed.

I stumbled up the steps, wincing as my ankle gave another sharp twist beneath me. The door creaked loudly as I pushed it open, but I didn’t care. I collapsed inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could. My breath came in short, shallow gasps as I leaned against the wall, my body trembling from exhaustion and fear.

The cabin was small, barely more than a single room with a dusty bed and a small, cracked stove in one corner. It smelled of old wood and dampness, the air thick with years of neglect. But it was safe. For now.

I limped over to the window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to peek out. The forest was still, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. No sign of Emily, or of the men who had been chasing us.

Had she made it? Or were they still on her trail?

I bit my lip, forcing the thoughts away. I had to believe she was okay. Emily was smart, resourceful. If anyone could outsmart Alpha Primo’s pack, it was her.

But even as I tried to convince myself, a dark, nagging doubt lingered. I hadn’t heard any gunshots or shouts, no sign of a struggle. The quiet was almost too much—unnerving in its stillness.

Suddenly, the sound of a twig snapping outside the cabin made my heart leap into my throat.

I froze, my eyes locked on the window. Slowly, I moved back, pressing myself against the wall, trying to make as little noise as possible. My mind raced, wondering if it was one of them. Had they found me already?

Footsteps. Soft, deliberate.

I swallowed hard, fear curling its icy fingers around my throat. I could hear the steady crunch of leaves outside, circling the cabin. Whoever it was, they were close. Too close.

A low growl broke through the silence, sending a shiver down my spine.

Not human.

I clutched my stomach, backing away from the door as quietly as I could. The growl came again, closer this time. Whatever was out there was hunting.

I barely had time to react when the door burst open, a blur of fur and muscle crashing through. A wolf—huge, wild, its yellow eyes glowing with savage hunger. It snarled, its teeth bared, as it stepped inside the cabin, blocking the only exit.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure it would hear it. I backed away, my ankle screaming in protest as I stumbled against the wall. The wolf's eyes locked onto me, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop.

Then, with terrifying speed, it lunged.

I barely had time to move, diving to the side as the wolf's massive jaws snapped shut where I had been standing. I hit the floor hard, pain shooting up my injured leg, but there was no time to think. The wolf turned, its claws scraping against the wooden floor as it circled me.

I scrambled to my feet, grabbing the nearest object—a broken chair leg. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. I held it in front of me, my hands shaking as the wolf growled again, ready to strike.

It leaped at me, and I swung the chair leg with all the strength I had left. It connected with the wolf’s side, and the creature yelped, stumbling back. But it wasn’t enough to stop it.

The wolf recovered quickly, its eyes blazing with rage. This time, there would be no escape.

Just as it crouched to strike again, a deafening roar filled the cabin, shaking the walls. The wolf froze, its ears flattening against its head. It wasn’t a roar of an animal—it was something far more terrifying.

Another shape appeared in the doorway. Tall, powerful, its presence filling the room. The wolf backed away slowly, whimpering as it slunk toward the exit, its tail between its legs.

I blinked, my breath catching in my throat as I looked up at the figure standing in the doorway.

It was a man. But not just any man.

His eyes were sharp, glowing with the same eerie yellow light as the wolf’s. His broad shoulders filled the frame of the doorway, his dark hair wild and windswept. There was something inhuman about him, something that made my blood run cold.

He stepped forward, his gaze locking onto mine. “Luna,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “You’re coming with me.”

I shook my head, fear and confusion flooding my mind. “Who are you?”

He smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. It was dangerous, predatory. “I’m the one who’s going to save you from Alpha Primo.”

The cabin seemed to shrink around us, the air thick with tension. I could barely breathe as the man took another step toward me.

He extended his hand. "Time to go."

I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to run. But there was no running from this man. Not now.

With a trembling hand, I reached out and took his.