Then began pinging relentlessly.
Saint stood. “I’m getting thermal anomalies.”
Havoc’s voice crackled through the radio. “Movement at the tree line. Two figures. Maybe three.”
My heart thudded — but didn’t break.
Wolf’s hand tightened around mine.
“Game time,” he said.
Saint stared at the screen, eyes wide. “Wolf… Keller just responded.”
A chill skated down my spine.
“What did he say?” I asked.
Saint swallowed.
YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO REMEMBER.
BRING HER BACK — OR WE WILL COME COLLECT WHAT IS OURS.
Wolf’s jaw hardened.
I lifted my chin.
“No,” I said clearly. “You won’t.”
Wolf looked at me — pride, fury, and love tangling into something fierce.
“They’ve crossed the final line,” he said.
Trigger cocked his weapon. “Then we end this.”
Havoc’s voice came through calm and ready. “Targets approaching perimeter.”
I squeezed Wolf’s hand.
“Whatever happens,” I whispered, “thank you for not giving up on me.”
He squeezed back.
“I never will.”
Outside, the forest shifted.
The hunters were coming.
And this time?
They were walking into a trap.
39
Wolf
The forest went quiet in the way only predators understand.
