The Weight of Trust

Lila's boots sank into the damp earth as she trailed Kade along the ridge. The morning sun peeked through the trees, turning the valley below into a patchwork of green and gold. Smoke still curled up from somewhere down there—Jaxon's pack, hunters, or maybe just a random fire. She didn't know, and it didn't matter. All she cared about was staying one step ahead of the claws and crossbows chasing her.

Kade moved like a ghost, quiet and sure, his gray eyes flicking over every shadow. He hadn't said much since the cave, just kept them moving. Lila's shoulder ached under the makeshift bandage, and her stomach growled loud enough to make her cringe. She hadn't eaten since yesterday—before the rejection, before her world fell apart. The baby kicked, a tiny flutter, and she pressed a hand to her belly. *Hang on,* she thought. *We're gonna make it.*

"Stop," Kade said suddenly, holding up a hand. She froze mid-step, heart jumping. He tilted his head, sniffing the air. "Something's off."

"What?" she whispered, scanning the trees. No howls, no footsteps—just birds chirping and wind rustling leaves. Too quiet, maybe.

He didn't answer, crouching low and creeping toward a thicket of bushes. Lila followed, her pulse thumping in her ears. He parted the branches, revealing a narrow trail winding down the ridge. Fresh tracks marked the dirt—big, clawed prints. Wolf prints. Not just one set—half a dozen, at least.

"Jaxon's?" she asked, voice barely a breath.

Kade shook his head. "Too small. Rogues, maybe. Or worse." He stood, brushing dirt off his hands. "We're not alone up here."

Lila's stomach twisted. "Worse than rogues?"

"Plenty's worse," he said, starting down the trail. "Keep close."

She hurried after him, her mind spinning. Rogues she could handle—well, maybe not handle, but understand. They were outcasts like her now. But *worse*? That could mean anything—feral wolves, hunters with traps, or those creepy stories old pack elders told about shadow beasts. She shook it off. No point guessing. She'd find out soon enough.

The trail dipped into a ravine, walls of rock rising on both sides. The air grew cooler, damp with the smell of moss and something sour—like rot. Lila wrinkled her nose, stepping over a puddle. "This place stinks," she muttered.

Kade glanced back, a flicker of a smirk on his face. "Better than blood."

"Fair," she said, managing a weak grin. It faded fast when she heard it—a low growl, rolling down the ravine like thunder. She stopped, grabbing Kade's arm. "You hear that?"

"Yeah." He pulled his knife from his boot, the blade catching the faint light. "Stay behind me."

The growl came again, closer, joined by a second. Then a third. Lila's breath hitched as shapes moved ahead—dark, hulking figures stepping out from the shadows of the ravine. Three wolves, but not like Jaxon's scouts. These were bigger, mangy, with matted fur and eyes glowing a sick green. Their jaws dripped with spit, teeth jagged and yellow.

"Ferals," Kade said, voice tight. "Don't run. They'll chase."

Lila's heart slammed against her ribs. Ferals—wolves who'd lost their human side, turned wild and mad. She'd never seen one up close, only heard the warnings. *Stay away. They don't think. They just kill.* Her hand hovered near her belly, instinct screaming to protect it.

The lead feral snarled, lunging. Kade moved fast, slashing his knife across its snout. It yelped, rearing back, but the other two charged. Lila ducked as one snapped at her, its breath hot and rancid. She grabbed a loose rock and threw it, hitting its flank. It barely flinched, turning on her with a roar.

Kade tackled it, driving his knife into its side. Blood sprayed, and it howled, thrashing. The third feral leaped at him, claws raking his back. He grunted, twisting to stab it, but the first one was back, biting at his leg. Lila's chest tightened—he couldn't take all three.

She didn't think. She snatched another rock—bigger, sharp—and ran at the feral on Kade's leg. She smashed it down on its head, hard. Bone crunched, and it crumpled, twitching. Kade finished the other two, his knife a blur, until the ravine went silent again, just their heavy breathing and the drip of blood on stone.

He stood, wincing, his jacket torn and red staining his jeans. "You okay?" he asked, wiping his blade on his sleeve.

"Yeah," she panted, dropping the rock. Her hands shook, smeared with dirt and feral blood. "You?"

"Been better." He limped toward her, checking her over. "You're not bit?"

"No." She glanced at the corpses, stomach churning. "Those things… they're fast."

"Too fast," he said, frowning at the trail ahead. "Shouldn't be this close to the ridge. Something's stirring 'em up."

"Jaxon?" she asked, dread creeping in.

"Maybe. Or worse." He sheathed his knife. "We need to move. Now."

They climbed out of the ravine, Kade favoring his left leg. Lila's own body ached—shoulder, feet, everything—but she kept pace. The sun was higher now, warmth cutting through the chill. They reached a small clearing, a patch of grass ringed by pines. Kade stopped, leaning against a tree to catch his breath.

"Sit," he said, nodding at a flat rock. "Rest a minute."

She didn't argue. She sank onto the rock, rubbing her sore feet. "How far's this camp?" she asked.

"Two days, if we're lucky," he said, peeling off his jacket. His shirt was ripped, claw marks red and angry across his back. He didn't flinch, just sat beside her, pulling a small pouch from his pocket. Dried herbs spilled out—some healer trick, she guessed.

"Luck's not my thing lately," she said, watching him mash the herbs with a rock. "You sure it's safe there?"

"No place is safe," he said, smearing the paste on his cuts. "But it's got walls. People. Better than this."

"People like you?" she pressed. "Rogues?"

He smirked, quick and sharp. "Some. Others… you'll see."

She opened her mouth to ask more, but a rustle stopped her. Kade tensed, head snapping toward the trees. A figure stepped out—a girl, maybe sixteen, with tangled red hair and a bow slung over her shoulder. Her clothes were patched, her eyes wary but bright.

"Kade?" the girl said, relaxing a little. "Thought I smelled trouble."

"Ryn," he said, standing. "What're you doing out here?"

"Scouting." She glanced at Lila, brow furrowing. "Who's she?"

"Lila," Lila said before Kade could answer. "I'm with him."

Ryn snorted. "Poor you. Camp's buzzing—ferals hit the outer posts last night. Lost two."

Kade cursed under his breath. "How bad?"

"Bad enough." Ryn's gaze flicked to Lila's belly, then away. "Boss wants you back. Now."

"Boss?" Lila asked, standing too. "Who's that?"

"You'll meet her," Kade said, grabbing his jacket. "Ryn, lead on."

The girl nodded, darting ahead. Lila followed, unease gnawing at her. Ferals attacking a camp? Jaxon's pack on her tail? And now some rogue boss? She didn't like it, but she didn't have a choice.

They moved fast, Ryn setting a brutal pace. The trees thickened again, hiding the sun. Lila's legs burned, but she gritted her teeth and kept up. The baby kicked again, harder this time, like it knew something she didn't. She pressed a hand to her stomach, whispering, "We're okay. Promise."

A sharp crack echoed behind them—wood snapping, loud and wrong. Lila spun, heart lurching. Shadows shifted in the trees, too big to be wolves. Kade grabbed her arm, pulling her forward. "Run!" he barked.

Ryn bolted, arrow already notched. Lila ran too, her breath hitching as the shadows moved closer—hulking, twisted shapes, growling low. Not ferals. Something worse. Something that smelled like death.