CHAPTER 22

TY’s POV

The gunshot blasted, and Ty launched forward, muscles coiled like springs. The dense forest ahead was a blur of greens and browns, but his keen eyes picked out the narrowest paths. He left everyone behind in his dust, he was gone like the wind. Branches clawed at him as he sprinted, their sharp edges barely grazing his skin. He darted between trees, each movement fluid and precise, his powerful legs propelling him over tangled roots and fallen logs. His heightened senses picked up every nuance of the forest, the rustle of leaves, the scent of pine and earth, the distance call of a bird. He relied on these senses to navigate the underbrush, making split-second decisions to avoid the worst of the obstacles. A particularly low branch loomed ahead, and he dropped into a crouch, sliding beneath it with inches to spare.

The ground rose suddenly, turning into a rocky incline. Ty’s claws extended instinctively, digging into the soil and stone for purchase. He climbed with a ferocity