CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

“It’s them,” I say. “I recognize that howl from when they captured me before. It’s them. It’s their pack.”

I panic. Did James set me up? Is that why they’re coming? Did I put myself and Ben in danger because I was blinded to the kind of person James really is?

“Maybe they’re not after us,” Ben says, though his voice is hitched in worry. He scans the trees around us.

It’s all too clear they’re coming though. The howls are getting closer. They’re going to find us and who knows what they’re going to do to us this time.

“Hide,” Ben orders in a low voice. “I’ll distract them. You hide.”

“I can’t let you do that,” I protest. “This is happening because of me. I can’t…”

“I mean it, Isabel,” he interrupts me. “You need to listen. I’m dead serious about this and I’m not going to fight you on it.

“I’m faster. I’m stronger. I’m your older brother and I’ve already done so much to protect and take care of you. Don’t let that be in vain now. I need you to hide.”

I think of everything he’s tol