Chapter 36: The Escape
Athena
The beast’s howl tore through the forest like a jagged blade, piercing the silence with a raw, agonized cry. Trees shivered. The earth seemed to tremble beneath our feet.
But we were already running as fast as we possible could in our wolf forms.
Branches whipped past my face, and the pounding of hooves echoed behind me—Lucas had broken into a sprint ahead of me, already veering toward the stables. My lungs burned, and the scent of the beast still clung to my skin like static, vibrating with something ancient. Power. Promise. Danger.
We didn’t speak. There was no need.
The mission had been accomplished. We had gotten what we came for. And we were no longer safe here.
We burst through a part of the estate just as the stablemaster looked up in alarm. I didn’t slow down at all instead I vaulted into the saddle, reins snapping in my hand. Lucas swung up onto his own horse just as mine kicked into motion.
"Don’t stop for anything," he barked. I didn’t plan to.
Behind us, the howl echoed again—closer this time, filled with pain and fury. I didn’t know if it was the beast’s mourning or a warning, but every hair on my neck stood on end.
We galloped through the outer gates, hooves hammering against the stone. Guards shouted behind us, but no one gave chase—not yet. Maybe they didn’t understand what had happened.
Maybe only Genrik did but I didn’t get any sight of him.