Chapter 2

Caiden ended the call abruptly.

I stood motionless, my mind reeling.

What was happening?

In my past life, he would have undoubtedly come to my aid first, and he never spoke with such venom.

After a heart-stopping moment, realization struck me.

Caiden had also been reborn. This time, he chose to rescue Doris first.

I attempted to contact the pack enforcers, but my satellite phone was lifeless.

A surge of primal dread washed over me. Surrounding me were gnarled, shadowy trees, and inhuman sounds emanated from the darkness.

I couldn't afford to wait for a rescue that might never come; I needed to escape the wilds quickly.

At present, I was completely disoriented, but I had to keep moving.

My wounded leg transitioned from searing pain to a terrifying numbness.

As I trudged on, a deep twilight fell. I was utterly spent. Doris had greedily consumed all the water and rations in my pack shortly after we entered the Gloomfang Wilds.

I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air as the temperature plummeted and the tree branches gleamed with eerie silver "lights" - the eyes of nocturnal predators watching me intently.

In the distance, I heard the terrifying howls of a rogue pack.

I felt hopeless, unsure if I or my pup would survive the night.

Suddenly, powerful beams of light pierced through the darkness.

The Alpha’s sentinel unit had arrived.

"Luna, why are you still here?" Jax and Ryker, two of Caiden's most loyal sentinels, inquired as they approached.

"Jax, Ryker, I'm so relieved you're here. Please get me back to the packhouse quickly," I pleaded, breathless.

"But we have our orders. The Alpha commanded us to find and secure Doris Rageclaw," Jax explained grimly.

"You aren't going to rescue me?" I asked, my voice cracking with disbelief.

At that moment, Jax's satellite phone chimed—Caiden was calling.

Caiden demanded, "Have you located Doris?"

Jax replied, "Alpha, we haven't found her, but we've come across the Luna. Should we evacuate her first?"

"Ignore her. She's just a distraction to slow you down from reaching Doris. Hurry downstream to the Bloodfall River," Caiden urged, his voice tight with anxiety.

"Jax, Ryker, I'm in dire straits. Can't one of you take me back while the other continues the search?" I begged.

"Sentinel protocol requires two-warrior teams. Going alone is a death sentence," Ryker stated flatly.

"Luna, everyone knows you despise Doris. But you've gone too far. How could you lead her into the Gloomfang Wilds? You're well aware of its dangers," Ryker reprimanded me, his loyalty to Doris’s high-born status clear.

Jax agreed, "Ryker's right. Luna, you truly crossed a line. If anything happens to Doris, the Rageclaw pack will demand justice."

"Also, how did you get lost? You're our lead tracker. You should know this territory better than us."

I was a tracker for our pack's territory, not this cursed, forbidden forest.

Jax said, "Luna, stop this act."

"I'm not acting. Can't you see my leg is broken?" I retorted angrily.

Jax glanced at my leg and said, "Then wait here. We'll search for Doris first."

Wait? For how long? I had no idea if the rogues had reached Doris. If they had, the sentinels would call for a full-scale assault. Would they even remember to return for me then?

I said, "Give me water, rations, and a thermal cloak. I'll find my own way out."

I decided to save myself.

After providing me with supplies, they continued towards the Bloodfall River without a backward glance.

I felt rejuvenated after donning the cloak, drinking water, and eating the nutrient-dense ration bars.

Unable to continue in the oppressive dark, I built a small, smokeless fire and remained vigilant, unable to sleep.

Just after dawn, as faint light filtered through the canopy, I resumed my journey.

After six grueling hours, I finally reached the edge of the territory.

As relief washed over me, the searing pain in my leg and overwhelming exhaustion suddenly hit, causing me to lose consciousness.