As we pushed through the dense forest, the weight of Stella's body and our own exhaustion made every step a struggle. Dwayne led the way, his keen senses alert for any sign of danger. The rest of the pack followed, their faces etched with worry and fatigue.
I couldn't shake the feeling of being hunted. Every rustle in the bushes, every snapping twig made me flinch. "Dwayne," I whispered, moving closer to him, "do you think we've lost them?"
He glanced back at me, his eyes filled with determination. "I hope so, Rebecca. But we can't take any chances. We need to find somewhere safe to rest, and soon."
As if in answer to our prayers, the trees began to thin, revealing a small clearing nestled against a rocky outcropping. Dwayne's ears perked up, and he quickened his pace.
"Look," he said,
