CHAPTER TWENTY

I cough myself out of sleep.

When I wake, sand and water are in my lungs. Mud coats my body. But I'm alive. Being alive is what’s most important. I know that for sure. I won't take that granted ever again.

As I slowly adjust to my surroundings, I realize with horror that I might be the only one who is alive. I don't know where Brian is. I don't know if the rogues have gotten ahold of him. And I don't know what to do to find him.

I sit up on the mud and scan the riverbanks. The water is rushing by quickly. I must have gotten lucky enough to be caught on one of the rocks and washed up on the riverbank.

I don't know how I survived. I don't know how I'm going to keep surviving.

I know I have to keep surviving though. I have to find Brian. I can't lose another mate. I won't.

There is no sign of Brian anywhere. The riverbank is completely empty. There's no sign of the rogues either, which is a good sign. Maybe I won't have to fight for my life yet again.

What if Brian fighting for h