Chapter 18

The moon hung high in the sky, casting silvery light through the canopy of trees, illuminating our makeshift shelter. I sat on a fallen log, my heart still racing from our narrow escape. Kael and Elias were deep in conversation, strategizing our next move, but my thoughts drifted back to the moment we crossed the river—how close we had come to losing everything.

“Luna,” Kael said, breaking my reverie. He stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern. “Are you okay?”

I offered a shaky smile, the adrenaline of the chase slowly ebbing away. “I’m fine. Just... processing everything.”

Elias joined us, his expression serious. “We can’t stay here for long. Even if Jordan doesn’t track us, there are others who might. We need to find a safer location.”

“What about the old cabin by the ridge?” Kael suggested. “It’s secluded and should have some supplies left over from when we used to hide out there.”

I nodded, the mention of the cabin stirring memories of our childhood—playing hide-and-seek in the woods, building forts, and sharing secrets beneath the stars. “It could work, but we need to move quickly. I don’t want to stick around for Jordan to catch up.”

“Then let’s go,” Elias said, his tone resolute. “We stick together. No splitting up. If Jordan has any allies out here, we don’t want to give them an opportunity.”

With a plan in place, we gathered what little gear we had—backpacks filled with essentials, water bottles, and any remnants of food we could find in our previous hideout. The air was thick with anticipation as we set off into the forest, the shadows stretching and twisting around us like fingers reaching out from the darkness.

We moved swiftly, our senses heightened. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig made my heart race. I stole glances at my companions, their expressions grim but determined. The woods were both a sanctuary and a prison, a place where we could hide but also where danger lurked just beyond the trees.

As we trudged deeper into the forest, I felt a sense of foreboding settle in my chest. The weight of the situation bore down on me—Jordan was still out there, hunting us like prey. The thought made me shiver, and I quickened my pace to stay close to Kael.

After what felt like hours, we reached the old cabin, nestled between towering pines. It was worn down, the wood gray and weathered, but it stood strong against the elements. The memories of our childhood flooded back as we approached, but the urgency of our situation quelled any nostalgia.

Kael pushed the door open, the hinges creaking in protest. The interior was dim, filled with dust and remnants of a life long past. I stepped inside, scanning the space. It was small but sturdy, with a fireplace in the corner and a couple of old wooden chairs.

“We’ll make it work,” Elias said, peering into the corners as if expecting someone to jump out. “There might be some supplies left behind.”

Kael and I began searching through the cabinets and drawers, finding only a few cans of beans and some old matches. The fireplace was empty, and I couldn’t help but wonder how we would keep warm through the chilly nights ahead.

“Not much,” I muttered, disappointment settling in my stomach.

“It’s enough for now,” Kael said, his gaze fixed on the window. “We need to secure this place and come up with a plan for what’s next.”

I moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. The moonlight illuminated the clearing, but shadows danced just beyond the edge of the trees. The forest felt alive, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched.

“Let’s set up a watch,” I suggested, turning back to the others. “I’ll take the first shift. I need to keep my mind busy.”

Kael nodded, but I could see the concern etched on his face. “Are you sure? You need rest, too.”

“I’ll be fine. Just let me stay awake for a bit,” I insisted. “We can’t let our guard down, not now.”

Reluctantly, they agreed. Kael settled into one of the chairs, his eyes heavy with fatigue, while Elias moved to the back of the cabin, keeping a watchful eye on the entrance. I took a position by the window, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared into the dark woods.

The minutes stretched into hours as I lost myself in thought, my mind racing with possibilities and fears. I replayed our escape over and over, the moments flashing like a movie reel in my mind. Each time I thought about Jordan’s laughter, a chill ran down my spine. How could he be so confident that he would find us?

A rustle outside drew my attention, and I pressed my forehead against the glass, straining to see through the darkness. My heart raced as I caught a glimpse of movement—something darting between the trees. I held my breath, trying to discern if it was just an animal or something more sinister.

“Kael?” I whispered, not wanting to disturb the stillness more than necessary.

He stirred, blinking awake. “What is it?”

“I thought I saw something outside,” I replied, my voice low. “I don’t know if it was an animal or…”

Elias immediately perked up, moving toward us. “What did you see?”

“I’m not sure. Just movement,” I admitted, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle in my stomach.

Kael stepped closer to the window, his expression hardening. “Stay back. If it’s Jordan or anyone from his pack, we can’t let them know we’re here.”

As we stood in silence, the shadows shifted, and the rustling grew louder. I felt my heart race in sync with the growing sound, a rhythmic pounding in my ears. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could almost taste the fear that clung to us.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door shattered the stillness. My breath caught in my throat, and I exchanged panicked glances with Kael and Elias.

“Open up!” a familiar voice called out. “It’s me, Caleb!”

My heart sank with relief and confusion. “Caleb?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Kael hesitated, his eyes narrowing. “How do we know it’s really him?”

“Let me in!” Caleb insisted, his voice rising. “I saw you leave. I came to help!”

With a shared glance, Kael and Elias moved cautiously to the door. “Stay back, Luna,” Kael whispered, keeping me behind him.

He opened the door just enough to see Caleb, his face flushed and panicked. “We don’t have much time! They’re coming!”

“Who’s coming?” Elias demanded, his stance tense.

“Primo’s men! I saw them heading this way. We need to get out now!” Caleb urged, his eyes wide with urgency.

Kael stepped aside, allowing Caleb to enter. “What do you mean? How did you find us?”

“I’ve been watching. I knew you’d try to escape to the old cabin. Primo sent a team to search the woods, and they’ll be here any minute,” Caleb explained, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting someone to follow him.

“Then we need to move, now,” Kael said, his voice firm. “Luna, grab what you can. We’re leaving.”

I hurried to gather our meager supplies, my heart racing as I felt the urgency of the situation settle around us like a thick fog. The cabin had provided a brief respite, but now we were thrust back into the uncertainty of the night, shadows chasing us once again.

With Caleb leading the way, we slipped out into the night, the darkness enveloping us as we ventured back into the woods. The forest felt alive, each sound magnified as we moved with purpose, our footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor.

“Which way?” I asked, panting as I kept pace with the group.

“There’s a hidden path that leads to a nearby cave,” Caleb replied, glancing back at us. “It’s safer there until we can figure out our next move.”

I nodded, grateful for his guidance as we pushed deeper into the woods. The air was thick with tension, the threat of pursuit looming over us like a dark cloud. I could feel the weight of our situation pressing down on me, but I refused to let fear take control.

As we navigated through the dense underbrush, I caught sight of movement up ahead—a flicker of shadows that made my heart race. My instincts screamed at me to turn back, but there was no time. We had to keep going.

“Keep close!” Kael whispered, his tone urgent.

The forest felt more claustrophobic as we moved deeper into the shadows, the trees towering around us like silent sentinels. Every rustle, every snapping branch sent adrenaline surging through my veins. We were not alone, and I could feel it in my bones.

Suddenly, a howl pierced the silence, echoing through the night like a chilling reminder of what hunted us. My breath hitched, fear settling heavily in my chest.

“Run!” Caleb shouted, his voice breaking the tension.

We took off, adrenaline propelling us forward as we sprinted through the trees. The howls grew louder, closer, a pack on our tail. I could feel the panic rising, my heart pounding against my ribs as I struggled to keep up.

“Over here!” Kael called, veering toward a narrow opening in the rocks.