Chapter 127
Elara's POV
We'd dropped Sam and Maya at the edge of town. Watched them disappear into the shadows, heading home. Sam had looked back once. Mouthed "thank you" before they vanished.
Now it was just me and Cole again.
The truck's headlights cut through the darkness as we drove back toward the motel. I pressed my forehead against the cold window. Watched the endless black trees blur past.
Three days.
Lynette had been running for three days.
My chest felt tight. Not from asthma—that was gone, thanks to Helena's treatment. This was different. This was fear wrapped around my lungs and squeezing.
"The eastern wilderness covers over 5,000 square kilometers," Cole said. His voice was flat. Professional. "Without a guide, you'll get lost in hours."
I didn't look at him. "How long can she last? If she's injured..."
"Longer than you think." He turned onto the main road. "But Wild Hunt is the real problem. They know those forests. Probably have outposts we don't know about."
The motel appeared ahead. Dim lights. Peeling paint. Cole parked in the back lot.
Neither of us moved to get out.
"We need a plan," I said finally.
"Yeah." He killed the engine. "We do."
---
Inside my room, I spread the forest map across the bed. Cole stood beside me, arms crossed.
I traced possible routes with my finger. "If she ran northeast from the sawmill, she'd hit the old logging roads here." I tapped a spot. "That's the most direct path into deep wilderness."
"It's also where Wild Hunt would expect her to go."
"I know." I bit my lip. "But if she's injured, she can't afford to take the long way around."
Cole leaned over the map. "Current temperature in that region is near freezing at night. There's also wolves. Real ones, not our kind."
I looked up at him. "You think she's still alive?"
His jaw tightened. "Three days is a long time. But if anyone can survive..." He trailed off.
I understood what he meant. Lynette—the real Lynette, the Alpha who ruled the northern territories—she was a survivor. But now she was in a body she didn't know how to use. A body that couldn't shift.
Just like I'd been, before Helena's treatment.
"We can't just walk into that forest," Cole said. "After what we did at the sawmill, Wild Hunt will be hunting us. They'll have our vehicle description, maybe our faces. Every road out of town will be watched."
I felt my stomach tighten. "So we're trapped."
"Not trapped. But we need new identities. Fast." He pulled out his laptop. "We need to disappear into a civilian group. Blend in before they tighten the net."
"You have something in mind?"
"Yeah." He set his laptop on the bed. "I might have something."
I watched him type. His fingers moved fast across the keyboard.
"There." He turned the screen toward me.
I read the posting:
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE - 7 Days
Guide: Kress Anderson
Seeking adventurous individuals for guided forest expedition. Camping, survival skills, wildlife observation. Experienced guide, all equipment provided.
Below that, details about the group. Six college students. A graduation trip.
I stared at the screen. "College students? Coming here?"
Cole's mouth twitched. Almost a smile. "Kress specializes in extreme survival experiences. Takes rich kids to the most dangerous places he can find. They pay premium rates to feel like they're risking their lives."
"They have no idea how real the danger actually is."
"No," he agreed. "They don't."
"This Kress," I said slowly. "You know him?"
"Worked with him once. Ex-special forces. Good tracker. Knows the eastern forests better than anyone."
I studied the screen. "You think he'll let us join? The group's already set."
"For the right price, maybe." Cole's expression was hard to read. "I can contact him tonight."
I looked back at the map. At the vast green expanse marking the wilderness.
Somewhere in there, my sister was running for her life.
"Do it," I said.
---
Cole made the call just after midnight.
I sat on the bed, listening to his half of the conversation. He paced while he talked, his voice low and steady.
"Kress. It's Cole... Yeah, been a while... Listen, I need a favor."
Silence. I could hear a faint voice on the other end, but couldn't make out words.
"I know the group's full," Cole said. "But I've got someone who needs to join. It's important... No, can't explain over the phone."
More silence.
"I'll pay double your usual rate," Cole continued. "And she won't slow you down. I guarantee it."
I held my breath.
"Tomorrow morning. Seven AM at the forest entrance." Cole's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Yeah. Thanks."
He ended the call. Looked at me.
"We're in."
Relief flooded through me. "He agreed?"
"Money talks." Cole sat in the chair by the window. "But we can't be late. Seven AM sharp. He doesn't wait."
"I'll be ready."
He studied me for a long moment. "You sure about this? Once we're in that forest..."
"I'm sure."
Because what choice did I have? My sister was out there. Alone. Hunted.
I'd already died once trying to reach my family.
I wasn't going to fail again.
---
I spent the next hour packing.
Light layers. Thermal underwear. Waterproof jacket. I laid everything out on the bed, checking each item.
First aid kit. Energy bars. Water purification tablets.
And weapons.
I strapped the knife to my thigh, hidden under my pants. Checked the small blade I could tuck into my boot.
Cole watched from the doorway. "If we run into Wild Hunt..."
"We avoid them if possible." I pulled on the brown hiking jacket. Tested the range of motion. "If we can't avoid them..."
"Fast and quiet," he finished. "Don't let them call for backup."
I met his eyes. "Exactly."
He nodded slowly. "You've changed. Since... everything."
Since I died and woke up in my sister's body. Since Helena's treatment unlocked abilities I thought I'd lost forever.
"I had to," I said simply.
I gathered my hair into a high ponytail. Checked my reflection in the small mirror.
I looked like a college student going on a camping trip.
Perfect.
"Get some sleep," Cole said. "Long day tomorrow."
But I knew I wouldn't sleep.
Somewhere in the darkness, Lynette was still running.
---
Dawn came cold and gray.
I was already dressed when Cole knocked. We didn't speak much on the drive to the forest entrance.
My stomach churned with nervous energy.
The meeting point was a dirt parking area at the edge of the wilderness. As we pulled up, I counted seven people already there.
A bald, muscular man stood apart from the others. Had to be Kress. He wore tactical pants and a heavy jacket. His eyes tracked our truck as we parked.
The other six clustered near a van. College age. Expensive outdoor gear. Two girls in brand-name jackets were laughing about something.
I took a slow breath. Centered myself.
"Remember," Cole said quietly. "You're just a regular college student. Act like it."
"I know."