THE WILD BETWEEN US

Chapter 5

** Salina's POV**

After a grueling 14-hour flight, I finally land in Brazil. My body aches from the long journey, and exhaustion clings to me like a shadow, but my mind refuses to rest. The nightmare from the plane—the wolf, its piercing blue eyes, and its unshakable presence—haunts me. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw it, so I kept them open, immersing myself in my papa’s diary instead.

His words—his detailed maps and notes—have been my lifeline. His meticulous sketches of the forest, the waterfalls, and the paths through the wilderness give me hope. Hope that I’ll find something. Anything.

Clearing customs and grabbing my luggage, I step outside and hail a taxi. “The Star Hotel, please,” I say. The driver nods silently, his face unreadable. I sink into the backseat, letting the warm Brazilian air whip through my hair as the cab speeds through winding roads.

Once I check into the hotel, I waste no time. I pack a small hiking bag with essentials: my protective spray and gun, some cash, food supplies, and my most important possession—my papa’s diary. Tying my shoelaces tightly, I close my eyes and send a silent prayer into the universe. *Please, let me find him. Let me find answers.*

The journey to the forest’s edge is as complicated as I’d read. From the hotel, I take a bus to the river town. From there, I board a small, creaky boat that sways with the river’s gentle current.

“Are you sure you want to do this alone?” the boat driver asks, his voice laced with concern as we near the forest’s boundary.

I nod, smiling faintly. *I’m not alone. I have Papa’s guidance,* I think to myself. “Yes, I’ll be okay. I have everything I need. If I don’t find anything, I’ll turn back and try again.”

He studies me for a moment before sighing and starting the engine. “Good luck. Keep your GPS and tracker on at all times, in case you get lost.”

Stepping off the boat, I watch him disappear down the river. The forest stretches out before me—endless, alive, and wild. Taking a deep breath, I pull out the map from Papa’s diary. His notes describe this place with such reverence, and I can feel why. There’s something ancient here, something untouched and sacred.

I follow his instructions south, my boots crunching against the forest floor. Seven hours of walking feels like minutes. The beauty of this place is mesmerizing. I encounter creatures I’ve never seen before: a butterfly with horns bigger than my hands, a two-headed snake slithering silently through the undergrowth, and a small bear-like creature with long claws that climbs trees with ease, watching me curiously.

And then I hear it—the thunderous roar of the waterfall. My pace quickens, heart racing with anticipation. As I break through the trees, the sight takes my breath away.

The waterfall is majestic, towering, proud. Water cascades down in an endless, roaring rush, shimmering like liquid silver under the sunlight.

I step closer to the base, letting the mist kiss my skin. Sitting down, I close my eyes and inhale deeply, letting the scent of the forest wash over me.

“I know you were here too, Papa,” I whisper. My voice trembles slightly, the thought of him sitting where I am now tugging at my chest.

Just as I begin to relax, I hear it—the sharp snap of a branch behind me. My body stiffens, heart pounding.

"No... Not this. This is exactly like my dream."

I turn slowly, bracing myself. My breath hitches when I meet its eyes. A grey wolf stands before me, feral and unhinged. His eyes gleam with murderous intent, his body trembling as if barely restrained by sanity.

"Submit," Papa’s words echo in my mind.

Lowering my head slowly, I bare my neck in a gesture of submission, my stomach twisting in humiliation. I hate it—lowering myself for anyone—but survival comes first.

The wolf growls low, the sound vibrating through the air, mocking me.

My anger flares, hot and defiant. I lift my head, locking eyes with him. I don’t know where the courage comes from, but my aura surges forward, challenging his dominance.

“I’m not prey,” I think.

The wolf snarls, baring yellowed teeth. He steps forward, and I instinctively step back, mirroring his movements. His eyes flash red as he howls, the sound ripping through the air like a storm.

“Okay, bad move,” I mutter under my breath, raising my hands in surrender. “Easy there, buddy,” I say, my voice calm but firm.

But it’s too late.

The wolf lunges.

Everything slows. His eyes are bloodshot, saliva dripping from his jaws, and his growl is a feral roar. My only chance is the river, but before I can move, a scent hits me like a brick wall.

Honey and roses.

I freeze, the intoxicating smell wrapping around me, grounding me. And then I see him.

The black wolf.

He emerges from the shadows, towering and immense, his presence commanding the air itself. He’s massive—easily over six and a half feet tall, even on all fours. His black fur ripples like shadows in the wind, his blue eyes glowing with an ethereal light.

The grey wolf doesn’t stand a chance. The black wolf pounces, his power evident in every movement. Within seconds, the grey wolf lies motionless on the ground.

I can’t move.

My gaze locks with the black wolf’s, and the world fades away. Those eyes... They aren’t just beautiful—they’re electric, piercing through me as though he can see every secret I’ve ever buried.

And for some reason, I’m not afraid.

I should be trembling, running, screaming. But all I can do is stare.

He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. His scent—honey and roses—overwhelms my senses. My heart races, excitement and something deeper coursing through me.

This isn’t just any wolf.

The way he looks at me makes my skin tingle, my stomach flip. It’s not fear—it’s something else entirely.

Something primal.

And in that moment, I know—everything is about to change.