Chapter 268
Chapter 268
Gideon’s POV
My wolf loped through the trees, leaping over logs and weaving between moss- covered boulders. The moon was high in the sky by now-a mere sliver peeking out occasionally from amongst the clouds.
I knew Zara’s coordinates would likely lead me nowhere. Logically, I knew that. She was a liar-she always had been, and she always would be.
But I couldn’t help it. The moment I saw that point on my map, my wolf went wild. We had to see it with our own eyes, even if nothing was there. Even if it was a trap, we had to go. My wolf wouldn’t have it any other way.
So now here we were, racing through the forest on a fool’s errand.
The crossroads Zara described was close now. Three birch trees, she had said. The Rogue King’s current encampment was down the path to the right of those trees.
To the right.
I finally spotted the crossroads and skidded to a halt, panting. There was no sign; just two dirt roads diverging into darkness. My wolf’s eyes scanned the treeline. I was alone.
I shifted back, still somewhat breathless, and walked up to the trees. I scanned the ground for anything that could point to Avery being here at some point. Anything at all.
There was nothing.
I must have scoured the grass and dirt for upwards of a half-hour, and found nothing but more grass and dirt. But not all hope was lost.
Shifting back, I took the right fork, I followed it for three miles, just like Zara had said. Three miles, then down a narrow, overgrown old hiking path that had long since gone unused due to a storm that had washed the trail out years ago,
I padded along the trail, head on a swivel. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional hoot of a howl or the wind rustling through the trees. I spotted a possum skittering across the path at one point, but nothing else. No rogues. No predators.
For all intents and purposes, the forest was blissfully peaceful tonight.
I shifted back and dropped to my knees, pounding my fists into the dirt.
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Chapter 268
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“FUCK! FUCK FUCK FUUUUCK p>
My voice echoed into the quiet forest, bouncing off the trees and rocks. The owl stopped hooting, and I heard the rustle of its wings as it alighted from a branch somewhere overhead.
I was alone.
My wolf snarled. “She has to be around here. She has to p>
“She’s not.” I stood, raking my fingers so roughly through my hair that a few dark strands came free in my fist. “She’s not fucking here. We were played like fools p>
“She must be p>
“Shut the hell up!” I snapped, stumbling backwards. “She’s not here, you senseless animal! She’s fucking GONE p>
My wolf went silent at my words. I immediately regretted them once my heart stopped pounding. I took a deep breath to steady myself. In through my nose, out through my mouth.
“This is driving us both insane,” I muttered shaking my head. “We have to get a grip. She’s still alive. That has to mean something p>
I could feel my wolf’s presence return. It was tentative, but slightly calmer now. I’m sorry p>
“I know.” I turned slowly, taking in the forest. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the sound of a creek running through the woods. I decided to head there for a sip of
water.
The creek was larger than I expected, cut through with rocks smoothed over from years of running water. I crouched by the shore and cupped my hands, letting them fill up before lifting them to my mouth. The water was cool and refreshing and tasted sweetly of the mountains, soothing my wolf.
That was when I noticed something in the water. Something shiny, glinting under the surface as the water trickled over it.
Curious, I waded over and grabbed it.
My throat constricted.
It was a glass bead.
The same one I’d seen Avery wearing before
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Chapter 268
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I stared at the bead for a long moment, wondering if she had passed through here at some point. The odds felt uncanny, but then again, we were bound by fate. Maybe I’d been drawn to this creek because her presence lingered.
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