Chapter 13

I sat on Conri’s back, in his wolf form, just behind his shoulders. My fingers dug into his midnight fur, holding on tightly, so I didn’t lose my balance. I didn’t know how long we had been walking through the woods. I was never good at telling time. The rest of the pack surrounded Conri as we moved, the king’s massive form making the rest seem average size for a wolf. We walked in silence as I took in my surroundings. I had never been able to sit back and enjoy the view. I was always on the run, always trying to find my next spot to lay low. The trees were close together, their branches brushing against each other. The further we traveled, the tighter the tree canopy got, barely letting in any sunlight.

Despite the lack of light, it was almost—peaceful. The forest's quiet was serene and calming, with a few birds chirping here and there. It got darker and eerie as the trees and undergrowth grew thicker and closer together. Whenever Conri had to jump over a fallen log, I clutched tig