23. Shya

Chapter twenty-three

Shya

I slipped out of the tent. The cool night air caressed my skin, carrying the scents of the forest beyond. My wolf looked out of my eyes, and it felt so right that she was back.

Go west.

I turned and moved silently through the shadows, ducking behind tents and supply crates. Each step was calculated, each breath controlled. We worked together, my senses on full alert, my wolf nudging me in the right direction. The camp, usually alive with activity, seemed eerily quiet, as if holding its breath in anticipation of the ceremony that would never come.

As soon as we cleared the camp's perimeter, I darted into the welcoming embrace of the forest. The trees provided cover, their branches reaching out like protective arms. I ran. Nothing would stop me. I tore off the dress, leaving it in a pool of shimmering fabric on the forest floor as I sprinted deep into the woods.

Now.

I didn't argue, didn't think, just bent over and started the Shift. I felt my bones begin to elongate and reshape. It had been too long, way too long since she'd been out, and I was stiff. My skin prickled as fur sprouted, covering my body in a thick, protective coat. My face elongated into a muzzle, teeth sharpening into fangs. The world around me sharpened into focus, the forest coming alive with new scents and sounds.

And then I stood on four paws, my wolf form powerful and ready. In this body, I felt whole, the lingering effects of the chanting gone.

In the distance, a cry of alarm rose from the camp. They knew I was gone.

I took off, weaving through the trees, paws barely touching the ground as I flew over roots and fallen branches.

Behind us, I could hear the commotion growing. Voices shouted orders, howls filled the air, signaling the start of the hunt.

I pushed harder, needing more speed. The forest floor became a blur beneath my paws as I wove through the trees, their trunks flashing by. My lungs burned with each breath; I was so weak from weeks of being kept captive, but I couldn't slow down. Not now.

The terrain began to slope downward, and I found myself scrambling down a steep bank. Loose rocks and dirt cascaded around me as I half-ran, half-slid down the incline. At the bottom, the fresh scent of water hit my nose.

A river.

There, to the south. I put on a burst of speed and, without hesitation, plunged into the rushing current. The cold water shocked my system, but I pushed through, paddling furiously against the flow. My fur became heavy, dragging at me, but I fought on. Reaching the other side, I hauled myself out, shaking vigorously to shed some of the water weight.

I knew the river would help dilute my scent, buying me precious time. But I couldn't linger. My ears twitched, catching the faint sounds of pursuit still too close for comfort. I set off again, trying not to think about my wet paws leaving damp prints on the forest floor.

The forest on this side of the river was denser, the underbrush thicker. I ducked under low-hanging branches, leaped over fallen logs, my muscles burning with exertion. Brambles caught at my fur, but I pushed through, ignoring the sting of scratches.

But no matter what I did, I couldn't shake them. They were gaining on me. I'd been too long in confinement, too long without exercise and training. I was tiring and they weren't. The yips and howls behind me grew louder, more urgent. They knew where I was.

I dashed over a rocky outcrop and landed on a grassy knoll. A wolf charged in from my left, snapping at my back legs. I swerved sharply, causing him to stumble and fall behind. He wouldn't be alone, though, and I knew it would only be a matter of seconds before others were on me. Panic rose up, but my wolf pushed it back, driving us right with single-minded determination.

I ducked under low-hanging branches, leaped over fallen logs, my muscles burning with exertion.

Ahead, I heard the roar of rushing water. Hope surged within me as I pushed myself harder, faster. The trees began to thin, and I could smell the water mist in the air. Maybe, if it wasn't too tall, I could lose them over the falls.

As I burst through the tree line, I saw the cliff's edge and the waterfall beyond.

Yes!

I skidded to a halt at the edge, my eyes scanning for a safe way down … and then any way down.

Fuck!

It was at least fifty feet, the water churning violently below. No path down the cliffs. If I Shifted, then maybe my human hands and feet might find a way down, but I had run out of time.

I turned just as they emerged from the trees. Six wolves, stalking forward, heads down, eyes focused only on me. They formed a semicircle around me. Their eyes gleamed in the moonlight, teeth bared in snarls.

I eyed them, calculating my chances. I was my father's daughter. Even in my state, I knew I could take three, maybe four of them, but all six? I backed up to the edge of the cliff. Then, from between them, a figure stepped forward. Tristan, in human form, his eyes locked on mine.

"Shya," he said, his voice calm and commanding. "You're confused, but I can explain everything." He reached out one hand. "Come back with me, and I'll make it all better. You know this is where you belong. With me."

For a moment, I faltered. Chanting seemed to weave through the air, its sounds reaching me from far away. Another figure emerged from the woods. Tall and cloaked, it was the witch from my dreams. He was chanting, his voice low; it mesmerized me. But my wolf snarled, pushing back against the influence. I blinked and realized I had walked three feet closer to Tristan than I had been before.

How the fuck had that happened?

I scrambled back.

Tristan's face hardened. "You don't have a choice, Shya. You're mine. Mine to do with whatever I want. Come to me, Shya. Come to me, now!"

He took a step forward, and I knew I was out of time. I didn't hesitate, just turned and leaped off the cliff.

For a moment, I felt the mist from the falls kissing my fur. I heard Tristan's roar of fury, saw the shocked faces of the werewolves as they rushed to the edge. As I plummeted toward the churning water below, a strange calm settled over me. I didn't know if I would survive the fall, but I knew with absolute certainty that I wouldn't let them catch me. Whatever happened next, I would be truly free.