Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

Ajax looks at me. It's clear that he doesn't want me to stay, but he understands.

"I can't just leave you here," he says.

"You have to," I say. "They won't come for you the way they'll come for me. The Alpha would never admit you escaped. It would make him look weak. You have a chance at a life."

"But what about you?" he asks.

"I'll be okay," I say, and I wonder if he knows just how much I don't believe that.

"Go," I say, firmly. "You don't have much time."

He stares at me. I can tell he's torn. But he also knows I'm right.

"Just go," I say. "Before they come looking for you-- before they come looking for me."

He hesitates, and then runs out into the forest, disappearing into the trees.

The second he is gone, I see the guard coming towards the mouth of the cave. He has an expression on his face that tells me he knows exactly what I've done. And he is furious.

"Where is he?" he asks, coming towards me.