Ava’s POV
“We’ve got to get back to the pack. No point running after ghosts,” Steve growled, his voice rough as he sheathed his claws, striding toward the horses, his eyes scanning the trees for threats. My heart was still hammering from Sarah’s loss, her screams echoing in my skull, layered with flashes of Liam’s hands, ravenous and calloused, taking me hard and raw, now soured by Lucy’s lies about me banging Steve in the open to crush me.
Steve reached his horse, checking both sides, his movements quick and guarded, before swinging into the saddle. We rode fast, spurring our mounts down the path home, their hooves pounding a steady beat against the dirt. Steve took the lead, his shoulders rigid, and we followed, the rhythm of the ride pushing us forward, the forest whipping by in a blu
