Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Greta
“Forget about where we’re going to sleep for now, Rookie. Right now, we need to focus on the mission.” I dropped my bag beside the tiny table in the cramped kitchen area. Despite my protests, Finn wasn’t entirely wrong when he joked that the cabin likely combined the toilet and bed in one tiny room. It was clear this place was designed for a single occupant to spend the night-no frills, no space to spare.
I began rummaging through my bag, searching for the map Gunner had handed me earlier. Once I found it, I let the bag fall to the floor and unfolded the map carefully across the table’s surface. “You coming to help, or just going to watch?” I glanced over my shoulder. Finn was standing there, eyes fixed on me or maybe the map— but he wasn’t moving to assist. All his earlier talk about wanting to prove himself seemed to vanish now that he had a bed to crash in. Whatever. I wasn’t going to waste energy on that.
The map detailed the Valley View Pack’s territory with impressive topographical precision. It showed dense clusters of trees, and though I wouldn’t admit it to Finn, I agreed with his earlier suggestion: those thick woods he pointed out would be the perfect hideout for a large rogue group. If they had any inkling of Rory’s growing influence over his pack, now would be the ideal moment to strike and try to take him down.
“The quickest route from here is this narrow trail,” I said, tracing a faint line on the map. Suddenly, I jumped, nearly stumbling backward into Finn. I stepped aside quickly, uncomfortable with someone lurking just out of my direct sight. He, however, acted as if nothing had happened and continued talking casually. “Assuming it’s not overgrown. My pack hasn’t been through here in over a year. Who knows how long these rogues have been hiding around. They might’ve carved out other paths by now. So, what’s first on the agenda tonight p>
“What?” My mind scrambled, resisting the sudden jolt of panic. It was just Finn-he wouldn’t hurt me. I told myself to stop slipping back into that nightmare. But the headache that had been lurking at the edges of my thoughts was trying to take over, and I fought to keep it at bay.
“I asked, what’s first on the agenda tonight? You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He took a step closer, and I instinctively stepped back, bumping into the kitchen cabinets. “Okay, okay, you want space,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. I was still struggling to focus, blinking rapidly to clear the pounding in my head. No one could see me like this-not a leader, not someone who wanted to inspire trust. Panic attacks were a weakness I couldn’t afford.
I shook my head, trying to pull myself together. “Uh… let’s check out the trails you remember—see if the rogues are using the same paths your pack made, or if they’ve created new ones p>
Without meeting his eyes, I stepped past him and headed out the front door, moving toward the side of the cabin. I needed to shift, to clear the tension that had settled in my chest. Finn followed silently, not commenting on the change in my mood.
We ran for nearly five miles until we reached a narrow river marking the boundary between the Valley View and Oak Lake pack territories. All the alphas within Ryker’s alliance had agreed on this neutral zone—a buffer where packs respected each other’s lands, allowing friendly rogues to travel and live nomadically without conflict. Most rogues posed no threat, but a few bitter exiles or those born rogue harbored deep resentment toward pack life. Their mission was often to dismantle packs or harm pack members whenever possible. I didn’t judge either lifestyle, as long as peace was maintained.
The air was crisp, the river’s gentle flow the only sound breaking the stillness around us. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, knowing the real challenge was just beginning.