Nymera's POV
I don't remember running.
Only the cold night air tearing at my lungs, Dain's blood sticky against my arms.
Kaelith led the way, his wolf senses sharp even through exhaustion.
The forest swallowed us.
Branches whipped my face. Roots snatched at my ankles.
Still, we ran.
Behind us, the echoes of howls—closer now.
Astra's forces. The Council's hounds.
They wouldn't stop until we were dead.
We reached the river.
The current roared, swollen from spring rains.
Kaelith turned, grim. "We have to cross."
I glanced at Dain—barely conscious.
"He won't survive the cold," I said.
Kaelith's mouth tightened. "If we stay, we all die."
I looked across the water—black and furious.
No good options.
I gritted my teeth.
"I'll carry him."
Kaelith hesitated—then nodded once.
Together, we waded into the freezing current.
The river ripped at my legs, trying to tear me away.
I clung to Dain, heart hammering, pushing forward step by agonizing step.
Halfway across, a howl split the night—close.
Too close.
Figures burst from the trees behind us—wolves, black and silver, eyes burning with bloodlust.
Kaelith snarled, baring his teeth.
"They're here," he growled.
We stumbled out onto the far bank, soaked and shivering.
No time to rest.
Kaelith shifted mid-stride, silver fur gleaming in the moonlight.
He charged the oncoming wolves, slamming into the first with bone-breaking force.
I dragged Dain toward the cover of the trees.
A wolf lunged at me.
I dropped Dain and spun, claws ripping through fur.
The wolf yelped and fell back.
Another snapped at my heels.
I shifted fully, my white wolf form emerging with a roar.
We fought like demons, blood and fur flying under the blood-red moon.
For every wolf we took down, three more took their place.
I saw Kaelith bleeding heavily.
I saw Dain lying helpless.
I saw our death coming closer with every heartbeat.
And then—
a horn sounded in the distance.
Deep. Echoing.
The wolves froze.
The sound came again—louder.
A warning.
A promise.
Kaelith's head snapped up.
"Reinforcements," he panted. "But whose?"
I didn't know.
I didn't care.
I grabbed Dain, heart hammering.
Whoever was coming—friend or foe—
They were almost here.