The river bit.That's what she thought when she woke up. The cold was so deep she wasn't sure where she stopped and the water started. Coughing, she sucked in air that stung. Mud coated her hands. The world swam – gray sky, black trees, the faint sound of rain.She’d made it. Somehow.Selene rolled over, spitting dirt, her body shaking. The bundle – her bundle – was still there. She grabbed for it, her heart pounding till she felt the rough cloth she used to wrap it. Safe. Thank goodness. Clutching it, relief turned to fear.If the river had pulled her so far down, she was way past where the guards patrolled. No friends here. The air smelled wrong – wet pine, ash, and a touch like metal. It made her wolf uneasy.She pushed herself up, wincing at the cut on her hand. Blood was all over the bandage, thin and pink from the rain. Ripping a piece from her cloak, she tied it tighter. The world stopped spinning, enough for her to stand.It was so quiet it hurt her ears. Even the forest seeme
Last Updated : 2025-11-14 Read more