Page 82 of The Pack

“You look like hell,” I said softly, forcing a smile.

He let out a faint huff, his lips curving into the smallest hint of a smirk. “It’s nothing. The wound’s healed already—mostly, at least. It’s been a few days.”

I frowned, though the corner of my mouth twitched despite myself. “Does it hurt?”

His smirk widened. “Not enough to slow me down.”

“Let’s move,” Magnus said quickly, his eyes scanning the tunnel. “They’ll be coming soon.”

Magnus took the lead. Tobias stayed close to the rear, his machete drawn and ready, glancing toward every sound no matter how small. Callum hovered near me, his hand brushing my arm every so often as if he wanted to reassure me and calm me down, maybe reassure himself, too. Killian moved just ahead, his usual grin nowhere to be seen, his movements purposeful and quiet. Thorne, though wounded, kept pace, his pale eyes focused and unyielding.

I clutched the knife I’d taken, my palms slick with sweat. The tribe’s guttural murmurs echoed faintly through the tunnels, growing louder and closer with every passing second.

“They know,” I whispered.

Magnus glanced back at me, his jaw tight. “They’ll know more if we don’t keep moving.”

We pressed on, our footsteps muffled against the uneven stone. The tunnels twisted and turned, the faint scent of fresh air teasing at the edges of my senses.

“Almost there,” Magnus murmured.

Ahead, a faint light filtered through a jagged opening in the stone. My chest tightened with hope, my steps quickening as we neared what looked like an exit.

But then, from somewhere behind us, a roar echoed through the tunnels.

“They’re coming,” Tobias growled, his dark eyes narrowing as he turned, his blade raised.

Magnus cursed under his breath. “Move.Now.”

We broke into a run, the walls of the cave blurring as the faint light ahead grew brighter. My breaths came in ragged gasps, the weight of the knife heavy in my hand as I gripped it tighter.

Another roar rang out, closer this time.

I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of dark shapes moving through the shadows—tribesmen, their eyes wild and gleaming in the dim light.

“They’re gaining on us!” Callum shouted, his voice edged with panic.

“Keep going,” Magnus barked.

The light ahead grew brighter, the cold air slowly growing harsher as we neared the exit. The ground beneath us turned uneven, jagged rocks jutting up like teeth. My foot caught on one, and I stumbled, my heart lurching as I nearly fell.

Tobias caught my arm, pulling me upright with a grunt. “Not the time to trip,” he said, his voice breathless with urgency.

“Thanks,” I muttered, forcing my legs to move faster.

The roars behind us grew louder, the horrifying sounds of the tribe echoing through the tunnel like a feral symphony.

“We’re not going to make it,” I whispered, panic clawing at my chest.

“Yes, we are,” Thorne said quickly, his pale eyes flashing.

Magnus reached the opening first, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the pale light of the forest beyond.

“Out! Now!” he shouted.

One by one, we scrambled through the narrow gap, the cold air of the forest a stark contrast to the damp heat of the cave.

When I reached the exit, my breath hitched as the roars behind me grew deafening.

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