Chapter 253
Chapter 253
“Just stay put, Finn. Please.” Well, that’s something at least she recognizes me.
“What was that back there?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Nothing. Forget it. Just give me a few minutes. I’ll go grab us some food.” Without another word, she turns and walks away. No explanation, no hesitation. Has she completely lost it, thinking I’m just going to let this go? If she’s dealing with some kind of trauma or PTSD, I need to know—because that kind of thing could get us killed in a fight. But I don’t follow her. She’s awake, alert, and more than capable of handling herself. Instead, I decide to use the time to circle the camp’s perimeter. Maybe I’ll spot something useful.
On the far side of the camp, opposite where Greta and I had spent the night, I come across a rough shelter that wasn’t here before. It’s made from logs and branches, forming three walls and a flat roof. If someone ran through here, it wouldn’t even leave a trace. The thing that worries me most is that it’s built into the side of a hill. Could be just a simple hideout, or maybe it leads into the hill itself, concealing a whole group of people from scouts like us. We’re going to have to check it out eventually.
I head back to our spot to wait for Greta, but I have no clue where she’s gone. Maybe she’s hunting, or perhaps she went all the way back to the cabin to gather supplies like she mentioned yesterday. I settle near some trees that give me a better vantage point across the camp toward the shelter. I can’t see it directly, but I can observe any movement around it.
Before I even spot her, I catch her scent. Greta is approaching, looking much better than she did three hours ago. She’s carrying her own pack, which looks packed full. Both my wolf and my stomach growl at the same time. She must have gone back to the cabin.
“Why is it always the crazy ones who are hot?” my wolf murmurs in my mind.
“I don’t know,” I reply silently, “but keep it in check. She’s our boss now, and she holds the power to either keep us in Dark Moon or kick us out p>
“Whatever. You know the Luna likes you. She’s not going to throw you out just because you’re interested in a warrior p>
“I’m not worried about me, and we’re not hitting on Greta. Crazy, remember p>
“You could use some action, that’s all I’m saying. And the crazy ones tend to be the most fun. Amy led you on, made you wait, then went around on you. You deserve a good piece of “
“Stop! No, just no.” I shove him back into the recesses of my mind before he causes more trouble.
“You look better,” I say aloud.
“Gee, thanks,” she replies with a smirk.
“No offense, but you looked pretty rough after your nightmare. Want to talk about it?” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on.net
“Nope p>
We sit in silence for a moment.
“We have time. Toss me some food and tell me something about yourself that has nothing to do with being a warrior.” She shoots me a look like I’ve lost my mind. “What? You weren’t always a warrior, and you weren’t born into Alpha Ryker’s pack. So what were you before this p>
“What about you?” I ask, catching the water bottle and protein bar she throws my way.
“What about me p>
“What were you before this life? Or, I guess, before you became the Rogue Alpha.” She rolls her eyes as if the title is a bad joke.
“I never wanted to be an alpha,” I admit. “I know my place. The problem is, I found Amy by accident, and she had all these big plans. I didn’t really care as long as we were together and the people I traveled with were safe. At first, we were. We found a few places like this,” I gesture around at the forest, “but none of them were good enough for her. The rogues didn’t trust her because she was an outsider p>
She nods slowly, chewing on the protein bar. The camp is quiet around us, the tension easing just a little as we share pieces of our pasts in the fading light.