Chapter 25 - Reiner

“Look, isn’t that them?” Gael points to a row of white vans pulled off on the shoulder of the highway.

“Yeah,” I say, my pulse kicking up a notch. “That’s the caravan.”

Jack steps forward, his gaze sweeping over the vehicles. “Do you think they’ve stopped for a rest, or do you think something has happened? Maybe the rogues…”

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head. “If the rogues had found them, we’d know it. There’d be bodies everywhere.”

“Well, then, what are they doing?”

“I don’t know,” I say, a wave of frustration washing over me. “Pull over, and we’ll find out. I’m tired of guessing.”

With a nod, Gael pulls the truck onto the shoulder of the road, parking a few yards away from the caravan. I hop out, not waiting for the others, and stride toward the nearest van. As I approach, I see a handful of people milling around the vehicles, but no sign of Jane.

“Hey!” I call out, waving at one of the men. “Which van belongs to the James’? I’m looking for Jane.”

The man, a tall, broad-shouldered guy with a thick beard, points forward. “Second van from the front,” he replies. “But you just missed Jane. She hopped out a few miles back.”

“What?” I bark, my heart hammering in my chest. “Why would she do that?”

“Beats me,” he answers with a shrug. “You’d have to ask Gwen and Richard. Thought it was a little odd myself, but─”

I don’t wait for him to finish; I’m already sprinting toward the second van, my feet pounding against the pavement. I can’t believe she would do something so reckless, so stupid. And all for what? She knows there are rogues out here, and she decided to go wandering off by herself?

I tear open the door to the second van, not caring that I’m causing a scene. “Where is she?” I demand, my voice rough with emotion.

Richard is in the middle of stuffing a handful of chips into his mouth, and he nearly chokes when he sees me.

“Reiner!” Gwen calls from the second row. “What on earth are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

I ignore her questions, my eyes fixed on her mate. “I want to know where Jane is.”

He swallows the rest of the chips, then wipes his hands on his shirt. “She’s not here. She jumped out a ways back to go back to Green Lake.”

Sonya, who is sitting beside Gwen, pipes up, “And before you yell at us, there was no stopping her. She was hellbent on seeing you.”

“Are you serious?” I growl, clenching my fists. “There are rogues out there! You let her go by herself?”

“Calm down,” Richard orders, his tone sharp. “Jane is a grown woman, and she can make her own decisions. We tried to talk her out of it, but she was determined.”

“How could you just let her go?” I demand, my anger rising.

“We didn’t have a choice,” Sonya says, her voice calm. “She’s as stubborn as a mule, and once she makes up her mind, there’s no changing it.”

I run my fingers through my hair, my mind reeling. “I can’t believe this,” I mutter, shaking my head.

Gael, Jack, and Rafe come jogging up behind me. “What’s going on? Where’s Jane?” Rafe asks.

“She left the caravan,” I growl, my voice tight with frustration. “She went back to Green Lake.”

“What?” Gael exclaims. “Why would she do that?”

“Because she’s a fool,” I snap, my temper flaring. “A damn fool.”

“Come on, man,” Jack says, his voice placating. “Let’s not get carried away. We’ll find her.”

“Excuse me!” Gwen calls. “What’s the problem? Are you saying the rogues are in the area right now? Is Jane in danger?”

I hesitate, not sure how much I should share.

“Yes,” Rafe says, his voice steady. “But we’re here now. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Gwen and Sonya exchange a worried glance, but it’s Richard who starts unbuckling his seatbelt. “We’re coming with you,” he announces.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m not asking for your permission,” he informs me. “That’s my niece, and I love her like she was my own daughter. If she’s in trouble, I’m going to help.”

Gwen and Sonya are nodding in agreement, and I know there’s no point in arguing.

“Fine,” I concede. “But stay close to me. And if I tell you to run, you run. No questions asked.”

“I’m a shifter, son,” Gwen reminds me as she climbs out and hikes up her pants. “I don’t run away like a damn puppy.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I motion for everyone to spread out. “Jack, Gael, you two head east. Richard, Gwen, Sonya, you guys take the west. I’ll cover the north. Keep your ears open and stay in constant contact. If you find anything, let the others know immediately.”

“Got it,” Jack replies, his voice clipped. He’s already moving, his eyes scanning the underbrush.

Gwen gives me a nod, her expression resolute. “We’ll keep in touch. Stay safe.”

“Same to you!” I call out as they head off.

The forest’s shadows deepen as I push through the trees, my thoughts racing. Jane’s gone back to Green Lake on her own, and the rogues are still out there. I feel the weight of my worry settle over me like a heavy cloak. Every snap of a twig, every rustle in the leaves makes my heart skip a beat.

I move methodically, combing through every single leaf and branch. The forest is dense here, the undergrowth thick and tangled. I push through a particularly stubborn patch of brambles, my fingers brushing against the rough bark of the trees as I go. Every few feet, I pause, listening for any sign of Jane, but I keep coming up short. I try to picture where she might have gone, where she could have taken a route back to Green Lake. The thought of her wandering alone makes my chest tighten.

“Reiner!” Jack’s voice cuts through the quiet, startling me. I turn to see him holding up a piece of fabric. “Found something.”

I jog over and examine it. It’s a scrap of Jane’s jacket, the one she was wearing earlier. My stomach clenches—she’s definitely been this way. I pocket the fabric and continue forward, my pace quickening.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. We’re deep into the woods now, and I’m about to call it in when I catch a glint of something ahead. I push through a thicket and freeze. Scattered on the forest floor are pieces of metal and scraps of cloth. I recognize them immediately.

The welded flowers.

Jane must have taken them apart piece by piece. I crouch beside them, examining them closer. They’ve been arranged in almost a perfect line. It looks like a trail leading deeper into the woods. She’s trying to guide us.

“Over here!” I bark out as loud as I can. “Got her!”

They arrive quickly, and I point to the scattered flowers. “Jane’s been here. She’s left us a trail.”

“Damn, she’s smart,” Gael says, crouching beside me. “She’s trying to lead us to her.”

“This must be recent,” Jack observes, glancing around. “These are fresh.”

“Yeah,” I agree, tension knotting my shoulders. “And it means she’s still close by. Nothing has had a chance to kick them up.”

We start tracking the path, moving cautiously but with purpose. The metal flowers are more sporadic now, a few scattered here and there, but they form a clear direction. I try to keep my breathing steady, but every step feels like it’s dragging me closer to a possible confrontation with the rogues.

Sonya falls into step beside me, glancing over her shoulder to Gwen and Richard before she whispers, “Tell me the truth. Do you think she’s in immediate danger?”

“The rogues were tracking your caravan,” I explain. “If she jumped out and they saw her, they would have followed her.”

“Shit,” she murmurs, her expression grim. “I knew it was a mistake to let her go.”

“No sense in dwelling on it now,” I say, keeping my voice low. “The important thing is, we find her.”

The trail of welded flowers has led us to a small, secluded clearing. My heart races as I peer through the dense foliage and see the rogue wolves gathered in their makeshift camp. The sight sends a surge of adrenaline through me. These rogues are dangerous, and Lionel, their leader, stands at the center of the group, barking orders with authority.

“Everyone, hold position,” Rafe whispers, his voice low and tense. “We need to approach carefully.”

Jack, Gael, and I crouch behind the thick tree trunks while Richard, Gwen, and Sonya move to the opposite side. I have no idea what use these three will be in a fight, but I guess we’re about to find out. Here’s hoping familial ties are strong enough to give them a fighting spirit.

Lionel is pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back. He’s wearing a stupidly expensive suit, which is absurd considering he’s currently in the middle of a goddamn forest, but that tells me everything I need to know about the guy. He may be a shifter, but that gold watch on his arm tells me he shares at least one thing in common with humans. Greed.

“That’s the leader,” I explain to Jane’s family. “Lionel. He’s the one who ambushed us last time. He’s a fucking psychopath.”

“What’s the plan?” Richard asks, his gaze fixed on Lionel.

“We need to strike now,” I whisper to all of them. “Prepare to shift.”

Everyone nods in agreement. I glance over at Richard and Gwen, who are already shifting into their wolf forms. Their bodies elongate and transform with a series of pops and cracks, their clothes shredding as they become their new, larger selves. Gwen is a large, brown-furred wolf with a white underbelly while Richard is a sleeker, darker gray wolf.

At the sound of bones shifting, the rogue wolves finally notice something is amiss, and their heads snap in our direction. Lionel looks toward us, and when his eyes lock onto mine, a smirk curls across his lips. He strides over, stomping into the earth with far more force than necessary. He’s trying to intimidate me, I realize. Too bad for him it won’t fucking work.

“I knew you’d come,” Lionel sneers, keeping his arms behind his back. “You pack animals are just as predictable as you are foolish.”

I crouch low, my muscles tensing as I prepare to shift. “What’s your plan, Lionel?” I demand, my voice tight with anger. “Why are you doing this?”

Lionel chuckles darkly, and he shakes his head as if the answer is so obvious. “I’m disrupting the packs in this region to weaken them. Once they’re vulnerable, I’ll claim their land for development. Imagine it—luxurious resorts, commercial centers all built on land that was once theirs. I’m doing the world a favor. We need less wilderness and more civilization. Don’t you agree, Reiner?”

I clench my jaw, feeling the rage simmering beneath my skin. “You’re a monster,” I growl. “You’re willing to hurt innocent people just to make a profit? You’re no better than the humans.”

“I’m not a monster,” Lionel replies, his voice calm. “I’m a visionary. And I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.”

“You’ve killed people,” I snarl. “You’ve destroyed families. How can you live with yourself?”

“I’ve done what’s necessary,” he replies with a lazy shrug. “And if you get in my way, I’ll do the same to you.”

“And what about Jane? Was she in your way?”

“Oh, the pretty little thing you’re looking for?” Lionel asks, his voice laced with amusement. “No, no. She’s a treat just for me. We all deserve something scrumptious once in a while, don’t we?”

His wolves prowl forward, circling us, their eyes glowing with hunger and malice. I can hear the others growling and snarling, ready to pounce, but the sound is nowhere near as terrifying as what this bastard just said to me.

“If you have laid a hand on her, I will tear you apart,” I snarl.

Lionel laughs, his voice echoing through the trees. “I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”

My wolf surges to the surface, and I can feel him clawing at my insides, desperate to break free. I grit my teeth, forcing him back down. I need to stay in control until the right moment.

“I’ll tell you what,” he says. “If you can take her from me, you can have her. But if I win, she’s mine.”

Without warning, Lionel shifts into his wolf form, his body expanding and transforming into a massive, powerful beast. His fur is a mottled gray, and his eyes blaze with predatory fire. The rest of his pack follows suit, their bodies morphing into various shades of gray and brown. It’s like a sea of evil converging, and my own allies leap out from hiding.

I waste no time. I shift into my wolf form, feeling the familiar rush of strength and agility as my body changes. Jack and Gael shift alongside me, their wolves sleek and ready for combat. The four of us move as one, our coordinated effort aimed at taking down the rogues quickly and efficiently.

The battle erupts into chaos. Lionel charges at me, his massive jaws snapping. I meet his attack head-on, our bodies crashing together with a thunderous impact. I manage to sink my teeth into his shoulder, but he’s strong and fast, and he quickly dislodges me.

I twist away from his bite, using my powerful hind legs to propel myself into a counterattack. I rake my claws across his side, feeling the resistance of his fur and muscles as I strike. Lionel howls in pain, his eyes narrowing with fierce anger. He lunges again, his jaws closing in on me, but I dodge and retaliate with a sharp bite to his shoulder.

Jack and Gael are already engaged with the other rogues. Jack’s wolf is a blur of motion, his claws and teeth working in deadly harmony as he takes down a rogue with a fierce swipe. Gael, on the other hand, is using his agility to outmaneuver his opponents. What he lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in speed and precision.

Richard, Gwen, and Sonya are also fighting with intense focus. Richard’s wolf is a hulking presence, and his strength and experience allow him to overpower the rogues he faces. Gwen’s method is completely different, her movements a graceful dance of attack and evasion. Sonya’s strategy is to support them both, sneaking in and biting the rogues when their backs are turned.

The clearing is filled with the sounds of snarls, growls, and the thud of bodies hitting the ground. The fight is fierce and brutal, and every moment is a struggle for survival. I keep my focus on Lionel, who’s proving to be a formidable opponent. He’s relentless, and his attacks are calculated and powerful.

I manage to dodge one of Lionel’s swipes, rolling away and quickly regaining my footing. He’s on me again, his jaws snapping. I sidestep his attack and counter with a powerful bite to his flank. The blood flows, but Lionel doesn’t falter. He roars in fury, shaking off the pain and lunging at me with renewed vigor.

I dodge again, trying to stay one step ahead of him. As we go on, Lionel’s attacks are becoming more erratic, his frustration evident. I seize the opportunity, launching myself at him with all my strength. I crash into him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Lionel’s roar echoes through the clearing as I slam into him, our forms crashing to the ground in a tangle of fur and fury. I can feel his strength waning, his previous confidence crumbling under my relentless assault. My fangs are poised for the final strike when a sudden shift in movement catches my eye.

Jane, in wolf form, emerges from the trees, and Lionel stumbles in surprise. She must have been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Seeing her now, my heart leaps with a mix of relief and hope. She’s here. She’s safe.

She moves with a predatory grace, darting through the melee of rogue wolves. Her fur gleams in the light as she navigates the chaos with a clear goal in mind. I watch as she maneuvers closer to Lionel without even acknowledging anyone else. She has her sights set on her target, and there’s no stopping her.

I press my advantage, keeping Lionel pinned beneath me as I wait for Jane to make her move. She’s almost within striking distance now, her muscles coiled and ready to pounce. Lionel senses her approach, and he struggles beneath me, his eyes wild with fear.

“No!” he shouts, his voice distorted by his wolf form. “You can’t do this!”

Jane ignores his pleas, her gaze fixed on her prey. She’s only a few feet away now, her body tense and ready to spring. I can feel the anticipation building inside me, the desire to see justice done. Lionel has caused so much pain and suffering, and it’s time for him to pay the price.

With a mighty leap, Jane launches herself at Lionel, her jaws clamping down on his neck. He lets out a strangled cry, his body shuddering as she delivers the final blow. I release him, stepping back as he crumples to the ground. Jane stands over his lifeless body, her muzzle stained with his blood.

The battle is over. We’ve won.

I shift back, and the others do the same. I look around the clearing, taking in the sight of the fallen rogues. The ones still standing are cowering with their tails tucked between their legs. With their leader down, they’re no longer a threat.

I turn my attention to Jane, who’s still in her wolf form. She’s staring down at Lionel’s body, her expression unreadable. I walk over to her, my heart swelling with pride and admiration. She’s a true warrior, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

When I reach her, I run my hand through her coat, feeling the softness of her fur. I whisper her name, and she turns to me, her eyes shining with emotion. It takes her a moment, but then she shifts back to human form, and I follow suit. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

“I knew you’d come for me,” she murmurs, her voice soft and full of love.

“I’d do anything for you,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry for not telling you how I felt before, Jane, but I need you to stay with me. Stay in Green Lake. I can’t live without you.”

“I’ll stay,” she whispers, her eyes glistening with tears. “I’ll stay forever.”

We kiss, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s a promise, a commitment, a vow. I know that whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together.

“I love you, Jane,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I always have, and I always will.”

“I love you, too, Reiner,” she replies, her voice filled with emotion. “And I’m never going to leave you again.”