Chapter 33: The Hunt Tightens. Lucas POV

Except for the steady crunch of leaves under my boots, the forest was quiet. My shoulders were tense, so I fiddled with the strap of my pack. Anna left a thin but clear trail; I could smell her scent occasionally on the wind, which kept me going.

My face ached from the cold air as I pushed farther into unknown territory. The treason I had committed made every step feel more burdensome. Oliver's snarling rage was imprinted in my memory as my imagination reenacted the situation. Traitor.

The word was painful, but I continued. Not when I was aware of the danger.

I stopped and leaned against the rough bark of an old oak tree that had a wide crown. The silence in the forest was so eerie that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The cold air made my breath mist, and I looked for movement in the shadows.

"You've gone crazy," I whispered to myself.

Had I, though? I was unable to explain the reason behind my attraction to Anna. It was something deeper and more primordial than duty alone.

Her picture flashed across my mind as I closed my eyes. Her stubborn posture, her dark eyes, and her attitude in spite of everything Oliver had done to her.

What's wrong with you?

I was hit by the smell before the sound.

Blood, sweat.

My hand immediately went to the dagger fastened to my thigh as I lowered myself into a crouch. The tiny rustle of movement added to the scent's strength. I was being watched.

The person appeared from the darkness, and I knew right away that he was a rogue. His face was scarred and his clothes were ragged, but his eyes shone with slyness.

"Well, well," he mumbled, a smile lighting up his face. "I never imagined finding a Nightshade wolf so far from home."

I stood up straight but stayed stationary, keeping my dagger ready. "You're dealing with the wrong wolf."

"Do I?" he asked in a derisive tone. His smile grew as he sniffed the air. "No, I don't believe that. You have a Nightshade flavor. Lucas, what are you doing out here?"

The sound of my name chilled my blood.

Despite the tightness in my veins, I replied, "You don't know me," in a steady voice.

"Don't I?" He took a step closer, his moves slow and deliberate. "Out here, word gets around quickly, puppy. You're not particularly clever."

I gripped the dagger tighter. This was no chance meeting.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

The outlaw gave a gloomy laugh. "What you wish is the true question. Are you following a girl who is trying to hide? Or are you fleeing from a more dangerous situation?"

His claws slashed through the air as he suddenly charged. I ducked, barely avoiding his blow, and slashed back with a swift move of my own.

A whirl of action and the clang of claws against steel characterized the vicious and quick-paced fight. The rogue was powerful, and his blows were accurate, but I was faster.

With a barrage of blows, my dagger pierced his shields and forced him back. I hit his shoulder, causing him to stagger, and blood sprayed the floor.

"Enough!" he growled, gripping his injury.

I stared him down, breathing hard, without lowering my blade. "Leave now, and this is over."

His laughter was deep and sinister. "Oh, Lucas, it's far from over."

His eyes gleamed with venom despite his wound, and he straightened. "You believe that you are the only person chasing her out here? Oliver has half the group looking for her. You will never arrive on time."

His words made my heart tighten, but I kept it to myself.

"Avoid my path," I warned.

He made a harsh, annoying sound when he laughed. "Yes, indeed. Lucas, word gets out quickly. You are not as discreet as you believe."

My head racing, I gripped the dagger tighter.

"All right," he mocked. "Kill me. It won't make a difference. Like a dog in heat, Oliver will be able to tell you're out here, sniffing after her."

With such power that the branches above shook, I slammed him against a tree. "What do you know?"

He spat, his eyes shining with ill purpose. "Enough. Lucas, you're not a hero. Just another idiot chasing a futile goal."

With the blade just inches from his throat, I paused.

Nothing would be settled by killing him. Oliver's concerns would only be increased if this rogue's death confirmed them.

However, it felt wrong to let him leave.

The rogue must have laughed when he saw the chaos in my eyes. "You're not strong. With someone like you chasing her, she is doomed."

I dropped the dagger and took a step back.

I clenched my teeth and yelled, "Get out of here."

Grasping his hurt shoulder, the outlaw stumbled to his feet. "Huge mistake, wolf."

He turned and disappeared into the forest, his closing words chilling me to the core.

"Traitor, Oliver will know you're after her."