Chapter 9 – The forest swallowed her whole, the cold night air sharp against her skin. Every sound seemed magnified—the snap of a twig underfoot, the whisper of wind through the branches, the steady thud of her own heartbeat. Keep moving, Serena urged, her voice low and fierce. Don’t stop until the markers fade. Aria pulled her cloak tighter and forced her legs into a steady run, careful not to trip over hidden roots. The forest was familiar, yet in the dark, it became a stranger—full of places for eyes to watch from. A wolf’s distant howl split the night. Her chest clenched. That wasn’t random. That was a signal. They knew. She pressed harder, weaving between trees. The damp earth clung to her boots, the bag’s weight shifting against her back. Somewhere to her right, another howl answered—closer this time. Left! Serena snapped, and Aria obeyed without thinking, darting toward a narrow deer trail. Branches slapped at her face, tangling in her hair, but she kept going.
Last Updated : 2025-08-14 Read more