Chapter 327 327
Sabine POV
We’ve been moving for hours.
My legs feel like jelly beneath me, barely holding my weight. I need to stop need air, need relief. I’m already pushing through the burn in my lungs when a sharp stitch tears into my side, forcing me to slow.
This has to be enough distance for one night. We must have covered miles since we fled the farm.
“Didier,” I gasp.
It finally makes him turn around.
He’s been leading the way without hesitation, and I trust him completely but he’s so focused on getting us somewhere safe that he’s forgotten how much stronger he is than the rest of us.
His gaze flicks anxiously to Caroline, who’s also breathing hard. She has a wolf, yes but from what I understand, she hasn’t come into her full strength yet. That won’t happen until she’s of age. For now, she’s stronger than me… but not by much.
“Okay,” he concedes. “We stop for the night.”
Relief floods my chest at his words alone.
“There’s a barn about half a mile that way,” Gilles says, pointing. “It should give us cover. It’s supposed to rain.”
“Lead,” Didier replies. “I’ll switch and take the back.”
Gilles moves ahead, and Didier falls in behind Caroline and me.
I don’t know how Gilles knew about the barn, but I’m grateful the second my body hits the ground inside it.
The place is empty no hay, no buckets, nothing useful at all. But I don’t care. I’m so exhausted I know I’d sleep on bare concrete as long as I’m dry and warm.
“I’ll find wood for a fire,” Didier says firmly to Caroline and me, already stepping outside to assess the sky.
The air smells heavy, charged. Gilles was right rain feels overdue.
It doesn’t take long before Didier has a small fire burning just outside the barn, Gilles poking at it with a thick stick.
“Do you think we’re the only ones who got away?” Caroline asks softly, holding her hands out to the warmth.
“Yes,” Gilles replies. “The others wouldn’t have wanted to separate.”
Didier chuckles. “Didn’t fancy going down with your beloved, then?”
“Oh, I went down on her plenty of times,” Gilles shoots back easily. “Just not for jail.”
I shake my head. Even now—now he can’t help himself.
“So what happens next?” I ask, steering the conversation back to what really matters. Anxiety coils tight in my chest. I have to do what’s right for me, even if that means walking away alone.
“We keep moving,” Didier says with a shrug. “Stay here tonight, then continue on foot until we find transport.”
He doesn’t sound convinced but it’s a plan, at least.
“I can hot-wire a car,” Gilles offers, tossing another log onto the fire. The flames flare, licking greedily at the wood. The warmth seeps into my skin, which is already beginning to chill in the open night air.
“Brilliant,” Didier replies dryly. “And the second it’s reported stolen, our faces are all over CCTV. We can’t afford that.”
“Neither can I,” I add, earning a frustrated sigh from Gilles.
The men start clashing again each pushing for control, each dismissing the other’s ideas. We’re going in circles, and at this rate we won’t agree on anything before dawn.
“Maybe we should split up,” Gilles suggests at last, sitting down as light raindrops begin to patter against the roof above us.
“And leave you alone with Sab?” Didier scoffs, dropping down onto the leafy ground as well. “Not happening.”
What does that mean?
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I snap, irritation flaring. I don’t know why I’m being dragged into their power struggle. I arrived at the farm alone. I always planned to leave alone.
“In fact”
“Shh.”
Gilles is suddenly on his feet, his body rigid, eyes scanning the dense forest around us.
Didier stands instantly, spine straight, attention snapping to the trees as well.
“What is it?” Caroline whispers, still seated beside me.
My heart lodges in my throat.
Then Gilles relaxes.
“Nothing,” he says lightly, his gaze sliding to Caroline. “It’s nothing.”
An odd smirk curves his lips as he circles the fire and drops down beside me.
Didier watches him closely before sitting again, his eyes never leaving Gilles, a crease deepening in his brow.
Gilles drapes an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.
“Shall I snuggle you tonight?” he murmurs. “You don’t have your fan heater anymore.”
I sigh, the truth settling in.
Tonight, my only source of warmth… is Gilles.