Chapter 23
"What are we up to, Dad? We’ve been going in circles this whole time!" Mona stopped abruptly, her chest heaving as sweat poured down her face. She was exhausted.
"There she goes again," I muttered, turning my eyes away from her. We’ve already stopped three times because of her, and it’s starting to annoy me.
It was past three in the afternoon, and we were still lost in the forest. I swear when we left the house this morning, something strange happened. It felt like we’d been transported to a new place entirely.
"Yes, we’re going in circles," I admitted to myself, though I didn’t say it out loud. We couldn’t give up now, no matter how much Mona complained. We had to keep trying to find a way out.
"Mona, dear," Dad said, his voice gentle but firm, "I know you’re frustrated, but please be patient. It’s almost sunset, and we need to get out of here before dark. Now isn’t the time to give up."
Mona crossed her arms, glaring at him. "I’ve had enough of this, Dad! Why can’t we just shift into our wolf forms? We’re wasting time!"
"No, Mona!" Dad snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Do you plan to run through the city as a wolf? Or do you have spare clothes to change into once you shift back?"
She scowled, but before she could argue more, her face softened into worry. "Alpha Derrick hasn’t moved this whole time. Are you sure he’s okay?"
Dad rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated. "I don’t know, Mona. He’s stuck in some kind of trance. It’s like he’s fighting something... something we can’t see."
Mona’s face crumpled, tears filling her eyes as she looked at Alpha Derrick, who was slumped against a tree, unmoving. "What’s he fighting?" she whispered. "Is there a chance he won’t come out of it?"
Dad sighed heavily. "I can’t say for sure. But Derrick is strong, Mona. I believe he’ll pull through."