snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves. I sat with my back p

hours ago, but I kne

't give up

rom sitting in one position too long, and the bond was a c

was

o count fo

heavier than it should have, even though there was barely anything in it. I p

ies would hold out. A few days,

d have to figure s

ted wa

I just knew I needed to put distance between my

e were older and taller, their branches tangled overhead like a canopy that blocked out most of the

was stil

mind, but she didn't respond. It was like she had retr

he was

was just tire

e my worn boots. When I finally stopped, the sun was high

teen. It was half empty already. I took a small sip, j

d be a pro

would be a

ing my elbows on my kn

anted to, the pack would never take me in again. I w

e else c

resources and no connections. Especially not one who had been reject

, but I had no money, no identificatio

s between pack territories where r

udde

into the wildlands alone rarely came back.

choice di

rough my chest, and I

bo

fe twisting between my ribs. My vision

sp

t his words. But his

sufferi

e made me feel better. Sho

it d

de everyth

ne. It would never take back the words he had said in front of everyon

ly, leaving me shak

om my forehead and f

to break down. N

t wal

rnoon, I fou

glittered in the faint sunlight. I knelt beside it and drank

ce and neck, washing away the dirt and sweat.

s and stared at my re

ed ter

My hair was a tangled mess, and there was a bruise on my chee

ok

blanket, spreading it on the ground near the

nd stared up

ofter this time. A dull ac

yes and tried

dn't com

was restless and full

he sound of

pped open,

e was

till, barely breathi

eliberate. Like whoever it

ammered in

stepped i

hes that looked like they had seen better days. He moved with

ro

feet away and l

e," he said. His voice was l

t, putting distance b

a gesture of peace. "Relax

what they

out here. No pack scent. No supplies worth ste

aid flatly. "J

d in his eyes. Und

ppened?"

your bu

ere, watching me like he was

finally. "Dangerous ones. If they find

kno

u should

I snapped. "I ha

uiet for

a day's walk from here. Neutral ground. I

suspicious. "Why

gged. "

not an

y one you are

im. I didn't tru

didn't ha

I said.

and starte

llowed, keeping a caref

, casting long shadows through the trees. My feet ached, a

y, he

" he said. "It is too dange

n't a

le I sat on the opposite

?" he asked once t

ated. "

like he was testing

n't r

d from his pack and tossed it

u look like you are

Wanted to tell him I

was st

d slowly, savo

e fire, his expre

jected," he

ed. "How

It is still there, is it

n't a

something in his eyes I couldn't n

t," he said. "And you

sed to make me

ng you know you

"I am alone. That is

dn't

r that, the fire crack

nce the rejection, I felt

ho

something