Chapter 24 - Jane

I sit in the back of the van, staring out the window as the trees blur into a green and brown smudge. My wolf is pacing inside me, restless and angry, as if she’s trying to claw her way out. I’ve tried ignoring her, focusing on the steady hum of the engine and the occasional chatter from Sonya and my aunt in the front seat, but it’s no use. My mind keeps drifting back to him.

Reiner.

The way he looked at me this morning, the hurt in his eyes that mirrored the ache in my chest. It’s been gnawing at me the whole trip, a constant reminder that maybe I’m making a huge mistake. I thought leaving would make things easier, that putting distance between us would help me sort out my feelings. But all it’s done is make everything worse.

I feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind.

I shift in my seat, trying to find a more comfortable position, but the leather is hot and sticky against my skin, and nothing feels right. My wolf growls low in my chest, a sound only I can hear, but it echoes in my mind, making my head throb. She doesn’t want to leave. She wants to go back, to run straight to Reiner and demand answers.

What are you doing ? she seems to ask, her voice a constant pressure in my head. Why are you leaving him ?

I don’t have a good answer. I thought I did. I told myself it was the right thing to do, that it was what we both needed. But now I’m not so sure. All I can think about is how empty I felt when I walked away from him, how cold the air felt the moment I left his side.

And I keep wondering if I made the same mistake twice.

My heart pounds as I recall the last time I let fear guide me—how I walked away without looking back, thinking it was for the best. All it did was leave me with regrets, with a constant “what if” lingering in the back of my mind. I can’t do that again. I can’t walk away without knowing if there’s something real between us, something worth fighting for.

The van hits a bump, jolting me out of my thoughts, and I clench my fists in my lap, nails digging into my palms. My wolf’s growling grows louder, more insistent, and I feel a surge of adrenaline like a spark of electricity running through my veins. I can’t do this. I can’t just leave. I need to know. I need to take the risk, even if it means getting hurt again.

Before I know it, the words are out of my mouth. “Pull over.”

Uncle Richard glances at me in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowing. “What?”

“Pull over,” I say again, louder this time.

My aunt turns around in her seat, resting her elbow on the back of it. “Jane, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just… I need to get out.”

Sonya flashes me a knowing smile.

I don’t have a plan, but I know I can’t just keep sitting here, feeling sorry for myself. I have to do something.

“Jane, I really don’t think—”

“Please, Uncle Richard. Just pull over.”

He sighs but obliges, slowing the van and easing it to the side of the road. The moment we come to a stop, I unbuckle my seatbelt and reach for the door handle.

“What’s going on?” Aunt Gwen asks, turning in her seat to face me fully now. “Why do you want to get out?”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions threatening to spill over. “I’m staying,” I say, the words solid, like a decision that’s been brewing inside me for a long time. “I need to go back and figure things out with Reiner.”

My aunt’s eyes widen, surprise flickering across her face. “Are you sure, honey? You don’t have to make any rash decisions. You can think this over.”

“I’ve been thinking,” I say, my voice trembling with the intensity of everything I’m feeling. “I’ve been thinking ever since we left, and I can’t keep going like this. I need to know where we stand, where this is heading. I can’t keep running away.”

Sonya looks at me for a long moment before she chimes in with a very practical, “And what if things don’t work out? What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Then, at least I’ll know. At least I won’t spend the rest of my life wondering.”

The van is silent for a few seconds, and I feel like they’re all looking at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.

“We have to stay with the caravan,” Uncle Richard reminds me. “It’s protocol.”

“I’ll walk. I know the way back to Green Lake.”

“Jane, that’s crazy,” my aunt argues. “You can’t just walk all the way back by yourself.”

“I’ll be fine,” I insist. “I can shift, and I’ll be there in no time.”

Sonya nods, a small, understanding smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “All right, Jane. If this is what you want, then you should do it.”

I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.”

“But be careful,” my aunt adds, her tone serious. “We’re not that far from Green Lake, but the roads can be tricky. Promise us you’ll use the safe path.”

“I will,” I assure her, nodding. “I’ll be careful.”

Sonya reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Go on, then. Go figure things out.”

I smile the first real smile in what seems like forever and open the door.

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I feel the tension in my chest begin to unravel. The fresh air fills my lungs, and the oppressive heat of the van gives way to a cool breeze that carries the scent of pine and earth. I close the door behind me, the soft click punctuating the decision I can’t take back.

The van pulls away slowly, leaving me standing on the side of the road, but I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my life. The sound of the vans fades into the distance, leaving only the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call to break the silence. My wolf is still restless, but there’s a sense of purpose now, a certainty that wasn’t there before. This is right. I need to do this.

I take a step forward, then another, my boots crunching on the gravel as I make my way toward the tree line. The path to Green Lake is familiar, even though I’ve only driven it once. My wolf is keen to run, to shift and cover the distance in minutes, but I force myself to stay in human form for now. I need to keep my wits about me, especially when I don’t know what—or who—might be out here.

As I move deeper into the forest, the trees close in around me. Their branches form a canopy over my head that filters the sunlight into patterns on the forest floor. It should feel peaceful, but there’s an unease prickling at the edges of my awareness. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I slow my pace, listening.

A twig snaps somewhere to my left, and I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. I strain to hear more, but all that follows is silence—too much silence. My wolf snarls inside me, urging me to turn and run, but I stay put, forcing myself to think. I know what that sound means. I’m not alone out here.

I start walking again, slower this time, keeping my movements relaxed as if I’m just another hiker enjoying a stroll through the woods. But every nerve in my body is on high alert, and I can sense the presence of others nearby. My senses sharpen, and I catch the faintest scent of something unfamiliar—wild, predatory. It sends a shiver down my spine.

Rogues.

My stomach drops, and I quicken my pace, trying to keep my breathing steady. I’ve heard the stories, seen the aftermath of what rogue shifters can do when they’re desperate enough. My wolf is itching for a fight, but I know better. There are at least two of them, maybe more, and I can’t take them on by myself. Not out here, not without backup.

I need to be smart about this. I need to lead them somewhere, anywhere I might have a chance. I know Evan has ordered round-the-clock patrols of Green Lake territory. Their scouts are out here somewhere. The thought of running back to Reiner, of possibly leading these rogues right to him and the others, makes my stomach churn, but what choice do I have? If I keep going down this path, I’ll be vulnerable and alone when they decide to make their move.

I keep walking, trying to keep my pace steady. My mind races, weighing my options. The path I’m on will take me closer to the area where Reiner and the guys were supposed to be scouting. It’s a gamble, hoping that they’ll still be there, that I’ll be able to lead these rogues right into a trap, but it’s the only shot I’ve got.

I veer off the main path, taking a narrow trail that cuts deeper into the forest. The undergrowth is thicker here, which means it’ll be more difficult for them to give chase should they decide to. I push on, ignoring the growing sense of dread that’s gnawing at me, focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other.

The rustling behind me grows louder, and I know they’re getting closer. My wolf is pacing. Her growls are a constant rumble in my chest, but I force her to stay in check. We can’t afford to lose control now, not when we’re so close. I just need to keep them on my trail a little longer.

As I weave through the trees, I keep my ears open for any sign that Reiner or someone else might be nearby. There’s a scurrying sound behind me, and the scent of the rogues grows stronger. I quicken my pace, my breath coming in short bursts as I maneuver around the thick trunks and overgrown roots. I can almost hear their full footsteps now, closing in behind me, the thrill of the hunt spurring them on. But I’m not their prey. Not yet.

My eyes scan the area ahead, searching for any sign of movement, anything that might indicate I’m nearing the scouting area. And then, just as I’m about to lose hope, I catch a glimpse of something—a flash of movement up ahead, barely perceptible but enough to make my heart leap.

Dear God, I hope it’s Reiner.