Chapter 2

At dawn, I went alone into the forest at the edge of our territory.

I hadn't slept at all since they cut off the mind-link the night before. I needed something to keep my mind off it.

There was a lone wild boar in the woods.

Before, at least two of them would have come with me. Cyrus would lure the boar away, Draven would lead the attack, and Knox would cover my back as I threw my bone spear.

Today, I was alone.

The instant my spear pierced the boar's throat, its tusk ripped open my right leg.

I collapsed, tore a strip of cloth from my sleeve, and wrapped it tightly around my wound.

Before long, it was soaked through.

The scent of blood would carry on the wind. The patrol would pick it up soon.

I stayed because I wanted to see if they'd still come running to me like they used to when they realized I was hurt.

The sun crept across the sky toward the west.

The woods were silent. No footsteps. No scent drifting closer. No one came.

I looked down, tied a fresh bandage over the wound, and dragged my mangled leg out of the woods, one step at a time.

I caught sight of something through a gap in the bushes and stopped.

Down the rocky slope, all three of them were keeping Nara company at archery practice.

Nara's strong herbal scent covered the smell of my blood, so none of them noticed me.

Cyrus adjusted her bowstring while Draven corrected her stance. A little way off, Knox casually nocked an arrow, drew his longbow, and put it dead center in the target.

Knox turned to Nara. "See how it's done?"

Nara copied him. Her arrow whistled through the air and struck a gray rabbit 100 paces away.

"Perfect form," Cyrus said with a smile, and the others nodded.

Nara wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I can practice a little longer. You don't have to look after me every second."

Even Cyrus, who rarely showed his softer side, took the bow from her hands without a second thought.

"You still need to rest. You haven't fully recovered from your injuries, and you have a pup to look after."

Hiding behind the bushes, I gripped a branch so hard it dug deep into my palm.

This range had once been mine alone.

They used to fetch every arrow I missed and bring me my favorite sweet berries. Whenever I got tired of walking, Knox would carry me back to camp on his back.

Now they gave her all the patience they once had for me.

"I honestly don't know how we put up with it back then."

Cyrus's voice carried over again.

He slung his bow over his shoulder, sounding fed up. "If Lyra so much as got a scratch, she'd have the entire patrol fussing over her. I was sick of it. Nara's different. She can take care of herself."

Draven chuckled. "The Alpha spoiled her rotten. No wonder she's so pampered."

Knox didn't chime in, but he didn't defend me either. He let it stand.

Every word landed like a blow.

I couldn't hold myself up any longer. My foot slipped, and a dry branch snapped beneath it, loud in the quiet woods.

They all turned toward me at once, on guard.

I didn't hide. I stumbled straight out from behind the bushes.

When I stumbled into view, covered in dirt and bleeding from my right leg, their expressions changed.

"Lyra? You followed us?" Cyrus demanded, startled.

Nara stood in the middle, quietly looking me over.

I looked at them through a blur of tears and dragged my injured leg forward, my voice shaking.

"Cyrus, Draven, Knox... I won't act spoiled anymore.

"I won't make you fuss over me all day. I can bandage my own wounds. I promise I won't be any trouble. Just... please don't leave me, okay?"

In that moment, the last of my pride shattered.

This was the last chance I was giving myself.

Cyrus turned his head away, his face cold. "Lyra, quit the act. Drop the spoiled princess routine."

Draven opened his mouth, then finally lowered his head. "Go home, Lyra."

I stood there, blood dripping from my right leg onto the rocks, feeling like a rogue who'd been abandoned by her pack.

Just when I had given up all hope, Knox suddenly strode over.

He sighed.

The next moment, he scooped me into his arms. His chest was just as solid and warm as I remembered.

"I'll take you back," Knox said quietly.

The moment Knox held me, I clutched the front of his shirt with all my strength.

The pain was clouding my mind, but a tiny spark of hope lit up inside me.

Knox was still willing to hold me.

Maybe he hasn't completely forgotten about me after all?