Chapter 23

The road winds back and forth as we gain elevation. The

mountain is steep enough to ski and it’s heavily wooded. The headlights cast shadows through the pines and fir.

I’ve never been here before.

I wonder if Aaron has.

He brings the vehicle to the mountain top and parks. “Get out,”

he tells me.

slowly unbuckle my belt. It’s significantly colder here than where we’d been and I didn’t think to bring a coat. I don’t have my medications. My phone’s about to die.

This is the type of deserted stretch of forest where you’d go hunting for the weekend.

Or where you’d bury a body.

After the things I’ve said tonight, I have to wonder why Aaron has brought me here.

n a battle of strength against this wolf, there would be no

contest.

2/4

says quietly.

big duffel bag from the back of the SUV and then

dark to the edge of the mountain top.

can’t see with the same precision he does. And the

eyes tells me his night vision is easily ten times better than mine. I let

and there’s a low hum of

so this

some way.

where we’re going and more importantly, why. But this wolf won’t reveal

hope that I’m not

the ultimate coup, though, wouldn’t it?

it on my father or my pack in some

Hmm.

slide on some uneven stretch of ground

holding me in

I’m okay.”

grunts and

3/4

area, showing too many stars

bisected by a curving stretch of

“It’s beautiful.”

he agrees.

to say that out loud.

adapt more, I see the straight lines of a cabin, and more

where

picks up the pace.

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