Page 22 of Wanderlust With Wolves

The forest is quiet except for the rustling of trees, the hush of wind over the lake.

I follow her trail, instincts kicking into overdrive, muscles coiled tight with need.

Then, in the distance, I spot it?—

A single, perfectly tied red bow.

I snatch it from the branch, turning the ribbon over in my claws.

Delicate. Pretty.

A promise.

My jaw tightens, chest heaving as I roll the ribbon between my fingers.

She’s marking a path—unraveling a thread I have every intention of following.

Every ribbon she’s tied?

Mine.

Every step she’s taken?

Mine.

I’ll collect them all, one by one?—

And when I catch her?

She’ll know exactly who she belongs to.

Chapter Ten

THE GAME BEGINS

Maya

The crisp nightair is exhilarating against my skin.

I tie another ribbon onto a bush, adjusting the knot until it’s perfectly secured.

The way Luna described it, this whole ritual is basically a scavenger hunt… with sex.

I giggle to myself, rolling my eyes.

It’sabsurd, really. And if no one tracks me? No big deal.

I’ll still get a prize—a luxurious spa basket filled with all sorts of indulgent treats just for participating.

A win-win situation.

I reach into my pocket, pulling out another red ribbon.

The color still makes my pulse flutter, even though I told myself it was no big deal. Just a fun little detail, a meaningless choice.

But as I tie it to the branch, I wonder…

Would someone track me?

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