Chapter 21 – Grace

Watching Amelia sleep comfortable on the mattress, I let out a sad sigh. After my breakdown earlier while being held in Caden’s arms I realized just how serious the situation we are in has become. I cannot allow anyone to hurt her, to claim Amelia. I may have made a bet with her father but Amelia is my chosen Alpha. I the need to protect her over winning a bet is the most important thing to me right now.

“She’ll be safe here, right?” I ask Caden, my eyes never leaving the girl I call my chosen sister.

“Yes. There is only one way in and one way out. Besides, the moon flowers mask our scent.” He answers quietly. His words are reassuring and I place the note I had written explaining to Amelia the plan and to make it to the Fae if I do not return. The Fae will help her cross the forest safely. Standing, I turn to Caden with pleading eyes. I remember the first time I learned about Ragers, being stuck in the Alpha’s study with Amelia to learn about the dangers of the run. We were twelve at the time, only six years away from being able to participate in the event when I stumbled across them in a book. It was then that I learned that Ragers are rogues that left their pack mainly due to betrayal to their pack and Alpha. They all share a similar belief and one being taking as many she-wolves as they can to strengthen and grow their nomadic packs until they can legally claim land. There is nothing that a Rager wants more than power and to be stronger. The one page that stood out after reading about Ragers is the warning listed at the end.

If you see any Ragers, run.

If they find you, fight.

If you are claimed, find a way to end your life before you are used till your death.

I sigh, wondering if I will have to take my own life if the plan fails. Caden informed me we are closer to the middle where the majority of the traps were built in the forest, even drawing a rough map of the area where the closest traps are to us and what we can use to trap and injure the Ragers without having to fight them. Once all the Ragers are dealt with, we circle back to grab Amelia and our stuff and rush towards the Fae for safety and a much needed rest before making a beeline to the lodge.

“We need to leave now if we want to be back before Amelia wakes.” Caden urges me, nodding his head towards the cave exit. He is right. With night time waning and dawn approaching fast than ever, we need to leave the safety this meadow brings to take down the Ragers. Weakening them will be a win to the werewolf community. We quietly leave the cave, deciding that shifting at the exit to the meadow before we go through the tunnel of trees is the safety way not to wake Amelia. I know if she were to find me missing, she will hunt me down once more and I can’t allow that.

“Trust in me Grace, I will protect you.” Caden’s soft words break through the silence of the early dawn. My steps faulter and I turn my head slightly to my right to see him staring down at me, a soft smile on his face. My heart flutters and for a moment, just a brief moment, I believe he will do everything he can to protect me. Reaching the edge of the meadow where hours ago we emerged, Caden and I quickly remove our clothes and shift with him taking the lead as once again we run through the tunnel of trees. I can hear them the farther we run – hear the Ragers howling in the early morning as they catch my scent. They want to hunt, their prize me.

The tunnel comes to an end faster than I remember and just as planned, Caden and I break off from each other. I head into the direction of the center of the forest where the traps we will use to our advantage awaits. I can hear them behind me, their undeniable scent of mud and grass the marking of a Rager. They are drawing close, planning how to capture me and in this moment I realize just how many Ragers there are hunting me. I can feel my heart pounding as six distinctive howls sound and an emotion I have not felt in a long time settles into the pit of my stomach.

I am scared.