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Next time.Because damn it, there was going to be a next time. There had to be.
First Willa and I had to get out of here.
I jogged back to Willa, took her arm, and put it over my shoulder. “I can’t carry you.”
Willa nodded and looked at the ground. She blew out a long breath. “I know. I don’t care how bad it hurts. We can tend my leg later. They’ll kill me if they catch me. I’ll run as far and as long as I need to.”
“Ready?”
Willa blew out one last deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before giving me a firm nod.
Together, we took off at a steady run. Willa ground her teeth roughly together, letting out a whine when we hit a bump or dip that jarred her.
We pushed ourselves harder and faster. My back and legs throbbed from supporting the extra weight, but we didn’t stop.
Wolves snarled and barked behind us. A pained yelp followed by a howl echoed through the woods. We both stopped and looked over our shoulders.
Lincoln!
I reached out for him. I couldn’t see him. Only feel him. His adrenaline was pumping, and he was letting off a slew of curse words in his head as he challenged whoever was in the woods.
He was okay. For now.
I took one last look over my shoulder, said another silent prayer, and then tugged Willa back into our grueling run.
My heart broke as a heavy weight pressed against my chest. The barks grew louder. More yelps filled the air.
A sob tore from my throat.
Willa squeezed my arm. “He’s going to be okay,” she said breathlessly.
I couldn’t form words. Emotion clogged my throat. I couldn’t breathe. Tears blurred my vision.
Another yelp filled the air, followed by loud howls.
Willa’s hand shot forward. “Look! The car.”
I followed where she was pointing. We were almost there. We ran faster. Willa stumbled over the uneven ground but managed to stay upright.
The car got closer and closer. We were going to make it. I let out a relieved breath as Willa grasped the passenger door. I hurried to the driver’s side and tossed both bags into the back seat before hopping inside.
I turned in the direction we’d come from and held my breath.
Lincoln, where are you?
Apprehension pulled taut in my belly. Pain that wasn’t mine cut through my side. I gasped and gripped the steering wheel.
The air whooshed out of my lungs, and my vision darkened as I was transported to the woods where Lincoln was. He was on his side, panting heavily while the pack closed in on him.
Lincoln’s gaze locked with mine. I wasn’t there physically, but he saw me. His eyes shimmered and widened.
Sloane. Go!his voice shouted in my mind.
The image disappeared, and I was back in the car again.
Willa shoved the car keys toward me. “Sloane, we have to go. I can hear them. They’re coming.”
And Lincoln wasn’t.
