75

As I moved, I realized how easy it would be for me to escape. It was still light out, and no one was coming after me despite Night, Dom, and Violet’s warnings that there were sentries always keeping an eye on me. It was a beautiful day, and I could run for miles without anyone knowing I was gone. My pace slowed as I thought about leaving the Wargs’ compound behind. It didn’t sit well with me to leave everyone I’d come to know.

Ahead of me, the wolf looked back my way, seemingly asking me to hurry up.

I’ll just see what this wolf wants, I reasoned. Then maybe I can think clearly about this.

With my mind temporarily settled, I increased my speed and continued following the wolf deeper into the woods. Before long, the dense trees parted to reveal the craggy maw of a small cave. The wolf sat beside it. It looked at the cave’s dark entrance, at me, and then back again. It wants me to go inside, but why?

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked it. I hoped it would shift or give some other indi