Logan’s body tensed beside me, his shoulders squaring as Mal’s words sank in. The pack below was still pacing, snarls rumbling in the otherwise quiet night. The alpha hadn’t moved from its spot, its glowing eyes fixed on us like a predator waiting to pounce.
“What do you mean, ‘not just any pack’?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart hadn’t slowed since the chase, and fear gnawed at the edges of my resolve.
Mal didn’t answer right away. His dark eyes stayed locked on the alpha, his jaw tightening as though he were piecing together something in his head. Liam stepped forward, brushing a hand through his ash-blond hair, his easygoing demeanor replaced by grim focus.
“Mal’s right,” Liam said, crouching by the cliff edge. “There’s something… organized about them. This isn’t a rogue pack. Look how they’re moving-too controlled.”
My stomach twisted. Controlled wolves were the most dangerous kind. Rogues attacked out of desperation or instinct, but a coordinated pack? That meant orders. That meant purpose.
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Logan growled, shooting a glare in my direction. “And I’m telling you, there’s something off about that alpha. I felt it back there-something familiar. Something tied to Warwick.”
Mal’s head snapped toward Logan, his eyes narrowing. “What are you saying? That Warwick’s spirit came back and decided to lead a wolf pack?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Logan shot back. “I’m not saying it’s literally him. But there’s a connection. I don’t know how or why, but it’s there.”
“And you’re basing this on what, exactly?” I cut in, the frustration from earlier bubbling to the surface again. “A hunch? A feeling? That’s not enough, Logan.”
Mal held up a hand, silencing us both. His gaze flicked between the pack and Logan, calculating. “If Logan says there’s a connection, we can’t ignore it. He’s never been wrong about his instincts before.”
“Great,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “So now we’re chasing ghosts.”
“Better ghosts than teeth,” Liam said, flashing a humorless grin. “Look, we need to get out of here. Those wolves might not climb, but they’re not just going to give up. They’re waiting us out.”
Logan stood, brushing dirt from his hands. “Mal, you and Liam cover Audrey. I’ll lead us back toward the river. If we make it to the water, it’ll throw them off our scent.”
I bristled at his commanding tone. “I don’t need covering,” I snapped. “I can handle myself.”
Logan’s eyes darkened, and he took a step closer, his voice low and tense. “This isn’t about pride, Audrey. It’s about survival. So unless you want to find out how good you are against a pack of trained killers, you’ll let them cover you.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the sharp look in his eyes stopped me. He wasn’t trying to undermine me-he was scared. And Logan never got scared.
“Fine,” I muttered, glancing away. “But if one of them tries anything, I’m not holding back.”
“You’d better not,” Logan replied, already turning toward the forest. “Let’s move. Stay close and stay quiet.”
Mal and Liam took flanking positions as we descended from the cliff. My muscles screamed in protest as I forced my legs to move, the chase and climb leaving me drained. The forest loomed around us, shadows stretching long under the moonlight. Every crackle of leaves, every distant howl set my nerves on edge.
Logan led us with an almost supernatural precision, his steps silent as he weaved through the trees. Mal stayed to my left, his sharp gaze scanning the shadows, while Liam kept a hand near the hilt of the blade strapped to his side. None of us spoke.
After what felt like an eternity, the sound of rushing water broke the oppressive silence. Relief washed over me as the river came into view, its shimmering surface reflecting the moonlight.
“We’ll follow it downstream,” Logan whispered, his voice barely audible. “It should lead us close to the boundary.”
“The boundary?” I asked, frowning. “We’re really going to cross into rogue territory?”
“It’s safer than staying here,” Mal said, his tone clipped. “The alpha won’t risk crossing. They have rules, even if they’re willing to bend them.”
“But the rogues don’t,” Liam added, his expression grim. “So keep your guard up.”
Great. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I bit back a retort and focused on keeping up. The water masked our footsteps, but my senses stayed alert for any sign of pursuit.
We hadn’t gone far when Logan suddenly stopped, holding up a hand. The rest of us froze, tension crackling in the air.
“What is it?” Mal whispered.
Logan didn’t answer. His head tilted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he stared into the trees ahead. I followed his gaze but saw nothing but darkness.
And then I heard it-a faint rustling, just beyond the tree line. My heart leapt into my throat as the sound grew louder, closer.
“Scatter!” Logan barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
We moved instantly, splitting into different directions as a blur of motion exploded from the shadows. Wolves-three of them-lunged into our path, their snarls deafening. I shifted mid-leap, landing on all fours just in time to dodge a snapping jaw.
“Audrey, move!” Mal shouted, drawing his blade as he engaged one of the wolves. Liam was already grappling with another, his movements quick and precise.
I darted toward the riverbank, my claws digging into the soil for traction. One of the wolves broke off from the fight, its glowing eyes locking onto me. It was smaller than the others, but its speed was terrifying.
It leapt toward me, and I barely managed to twist out of the way, its claws grazing my side. Pain flared, but I forced myself to stay focused. I couldn’t afford to slow down.
The wolf lunged again, and this time I was ready. I spun, swiping with my claws and catching it across the muzzle. It yelped, momentarily stunned, giving me enough time to bolt toward the water.
Logan appeared beside me, his human form shifting effortlessly into his wolf as he tackled the attacking wolf. The force of the impact sent them both tumbling into the river.
“Keep going!” Logan growled, his voice rough and guttural in his wolf form. “I’ll handle this one!”
I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to stay and fight, but Mal’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Go, Audrey! We’ll cover you!”
With one last glance at Logan, I turned and ran, the riverbank blurring around me. The growls and snarls faded into the distance, but the fear clung to me like a second skin.