Chapter 9

The tension in the car was palpable, the weight of the night pressing down on us as we sped away from the safe house. The dark road twisted ahead, winding through a forest so thick it seemed to swallow us whole. I glanced over at Emily, her knuckles white on the steering wheel, eyes focused ahead. She was calm, or at least trying to be, but I could see the cracks in her composure. The uncertainty was gnawing at both of us.

I stared out the window, my mind racing with questions. Could Dr. Porter have been telling the truth? Was Alpha Primo’s pack really watching us? And if so, how much longer did we have before they caught up?

My hand instinctively rested on my belly. The small life growing inside me felt more fragile than ever, and the need to protect my child surged through me. The fear was almost unbearable, but I forced myself to breathe, to stay calm. Emily had a plan, and I had to trust her.

After what felt like hours, Emily finally spoke. “We’ll be at the secondary safe house in about twenty minutes. It’s off-grid, even more secure than the first. We’ll be okay there.”

I nodded, though the pit in my stomach didn’t ease. “Do you think Dr. Porter was working with Alpha Primo?”

Emily’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. But we couldn’t take the risk. She showed up too quickly, too conveniently. I don’t believe in coincidences anymore.”

I sighed, resting my head against the cool glass of the window. “I wanted to trust her. She seemed so...genuine.”

“That’s what made her dangerous,” Emily said softly. “People like that know how to play both sides. They make you feel safe until you let your guard down. And then—”

She didn’t finish, but she didn’t need to. I knew exactly what she meant. Dr. Porter could have been the key to our safety, or she could have been the one to lead Alpha Primo right to us.

The road grew rougher as we drove deeper into the woods, the car jostling over rocks and dips in the path. The silence between us was heavy, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

I broke the quiet first. “What happens if Alpha Primo finds us?”

Emily didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed glued to the road, but her expression hardened. “We won’t let that happen.”

There was a finality to her words that made my heart squeeze. Emily was determined, but I could see the weariness in her. She had been my rock, my protector, but even she wasn’t invincible. We were both being worn down by the constant fear, the endless running.

Just as I was about to say something else, a sudden flash of headlights appeared in the rearview mirror.

My heart lurched. “Emily...”

She looked up, her face paling as she saw the lights closing in behind us. “Hold on,” she muttered, her foot pressing harder on the gas.

The car jolted forward, speeding along the bumpy road as the vehicle behind us gained ground. My pulse pounded in my ears as I clutched the seat, trying to steady my breathing. Who was it? Alpha Primo’s pack? Had they already found us?

Emily swerved hard, trying to lose the car in the maze of dirt roads. But the other driver was relentless, following us with unnerving precision. Panic clawed at my throat as I realized we were running out of road.

“They’re too close!” I gasped, my voice trembling.

Emily’s eyes darted to the side, scanning the dark woods for any escape route. Then, without warning, she slammed on the brakes and veered off the road, the car crashing through the underbrush. Branches scraped against the windows, the sound of leaves and twigs cracking under the tires filling the air.

“What are you doing?” I cried, gripping the dashboard as the car bounced wildly over the uneven ground.

Emily didn’t answer. She was too focused, her hands gripping the wheel as she navigated through the trees. Behind us, the headlights disappeared for a moment, lost in the thick forest. But it wouldn’t be long before they found our trail again.

Suddenly, Emily slammed the brakes, bringing the car to a jerking halt. “We can’t outrun them in the car. We’ll go on foot.”

“What?” I gasped, my mind reeling. “We can’t just—”

“We don’t have a choice,” she interrupted, already unbuckling her seatbelt. “Grab your bag and follow me. Quickly!”

I didn’t argue. My hands were shaking as I grabbed my bag and stumbled out of the car. The night air was cold and thick with the smell of damp earth and pine. Emily was already moving, her pace urgent as she led us deeper into the woods.

I followed, my breath coming in ragged gasps as we pushed through the underbrush. The trees loomed tall and shadowy around us, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands. Every sound felt amplified—the crunch of leaves underfoot, the distant rustling of animals in the brush. My heart pounded in my chest, fear gripping me with every step.

We hadn’t gone far when the sound of engines roared behind us. I turned, my heart freezing in my chest as I saw the headlights cutting through the trees. They had found the car. And they were coming.

“Run!” Emily hissed, her voice sharp with urgency.

We sprinted, my feet stumbling over roots and rocks as we plunged deeper into the woods. My lungs burned with the effort, but I pushed through, knowing that stopping wasn’t an option. The headlights behind us grew brighter, the sound of voices and footsteps closing in.

I glanced back once more, just in time to see shadowy figures moving between the trees. They were too close. Panic surged through me, and I stumbled, my ankle twisting painfully as I fell to the ground.

Emily was at my side in an instant, pulling me back to my feet. “Come on, Luna. We can’t stop now.”

But as I tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through my leg, and I cried out, collapsing again. The footsteps were getting louder, the voices clearer.

“Emily, I—” My voice broke, tears springing to my eyes as I realized we wouldn’t make it.

Emily’s face hardened, and she knelt beside me, her eyes fierce. “I’ll distract them. You keep going.”

“No!” I gasped, grabbing her arm. “You can’t—”

“I have to.” Her voice was firm, but her eyes softened. “You need to keep the baby safe, Luna. I’ll hold them off.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I shook my head, but Emily pulled away, her resolve unshakable. Without another word, she stood and disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone with the pounding of my heart and the approaching danger.

I had no choice. I had to keep going—for my baby, and for Emily.

With a sob, I forced myself to stand, pushing through the pain as I limped deeper into the night.