THE WILD BETWEEN US

Chapter 3

**Salina's POV**

“Can you come back as soon as possible?” Niko murmurs, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist.

I love him, truly. I can’t wait to find closure and return to him, but this is something I have to do. I know he’ll miss me, just as much as I’ll miss him, but the pull of this journey is undeniable.

“I’ll come back as soon as I finish what my dad started,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into a deep kiss.

The announcement overhead reminds me there are only a few minutes left before I need to board. The bittersweet taste of goodbye lingers as I take control of the kiss, my lips dominating his, earning a soft, desperate moan in response.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” Niko breathes between kisses.

“I’ll miss you too,” I reply softly, my forehead resting against his.

With one last lingering kiss, I reluctantly pull away, grabbing my carry-on bag. My heart aches as I walk toward the gate, but I don’t look back until I’m at the threshold. When I do, I see him wiping away his tears, and my heart breaks all over again.

I blow him one last kiss and step through the gate, heading toward my flight.

Once aboard, I make my way to my seat by the window, stowing my handbag in the compartment before sitting down. The reality of what I’m about to do hits me like a wave.

I’m really doing this.

The sss rainforest. It’s no joke. People enter and come out forever changed—or don’t come out at all. Even scientists haven’t fully uncovered its mysteries.

Reaching for my bag, I pull out my dad’s old diary. It’s the one thing I have that connects me to his journey, his dreams, and his legacy.

I flip to my favorite entry, page 40. My lips curl into a bittersweet smile as I read his words again, words that have fueled my resolve for years.

“It’s day three, and I’ve encountered a group of wolves. At first, they bared their teeth at me, their size far beyond that of normal wolves. One stood out—the Alpha. He was massive, standing nearly seven feet tall on all fours, his fur midnight black with white specks under his neck, resembling stars in the night sky.

I lowered my head in submission, unsure of what else to do. To my surprise, the Alpha stepped back. Perhaps this is how they recognize a non-threat, by lowering your head.”

A shiver runs down my spine. Seven feet tall. My father’s words make the wolves sound like something out of a nightmare—or a legend.

For protection, I’ve packed a gun and a few canisters of poison spray. I’m not naive; I know this journey could be dangerous.

Closing the diary, I place it back in my bag and turn to look out the window. The plane has climbed above the clouds, the vast expanse of blue and white calming me slightly.

“I’m coming to find you, Papa,” I whisper.

Closing my eyes, I try to get some rest. I’ll need all my strength for what lies ahead.

I’m in the forest now, standing at the edge of a massive waterfall. The roar of the water fills the air, but my focus is elsewhere—on the ground shaking beneath my feet.

When I turn, my breath catches in my throat.

The black wolf.

He’s exactly as my father described—midnight fur speckled with stars, towering and powerful, his glowing yellow eyes locked onto mine.

“Mate,” he growls.

My body freezes. Did he just speak?

Fear grips me, but I remember my father’s words. Lower your head. Show submission.

Tentatively, I lower my neck.

The wolf lets out a satisfied howl, and I let out a nervous chuckle, unable to stop myself. He tilts his head at the sound, his eyes scanning me with a mix of curiosity and intensity.

Before I can think, he moves—a giant step toward me. Instinct takes over, and I step back.

A deep, rumbling growl escapes him, a warning.

My heart pounds violently against my ribcage. I’m terrified, my mind racing, desperate for an escape. Without thinking, I do the only thing I can—I turn and run, sprinting into the darkness of the forest.

The ground is uneven, and before I know it, I lose my footing and crash to the ground.

Before I can get up, a heavy weight pins me down. The wolf.

I scream, my voice breaking the silence of the forest—

“Ma’am?”

My eyes fly open, and I’m met with the concerned face of a flight attendant.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” she asks.

I blink, disoriented. Looking around, I realize I’m still on the plane.

“I… I’m sorry,” I stammer, placing a trembling hand on my face. My skin is damp with sweat. “I think I just had a bad dream.”

The flight attendant nods sympathetically before moving on.

Leaning back in my seat, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

“That was weird,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head. But deep down, I can still feel the weight of the wolf’s gaze.