Chapter 101: The Hidden Motives

We continued to push through the dense forest, Cole leaning heavily on me with each step. My heart raced, my mind spinning with the events of the past few minutes.

We’d escaped—barely. But at what cost? And what had we walked into by trusting Gareth?

“Do you hear that?” Cole whispered, his voice strained with pain and exhaustion.

I strained my ears, hearing nothing but the rustling leaves and distant bird calls. My senses were on high alert, every muscle coiled, ready for the next threat. “No, but we can’t stay here. We need to keep moving.”

Cole nodded, though I could see the fear in his eyes. Fear I shared. But we had no other choice.

We trudged forward, every step a struggle. The forest seemed to close in around us, each shadow stretching and bending as if reaching out to grab us.

I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Gareth or the enemy leader barreling toward us, but the path remained empty.

“What do you think Gareth was really doing there?” Cole asked,