Aria woke up to sunlight.
It was thin and pale, filtering through the pine branches above her. Her body was stiff and her dress was still damp from the rain. Her throat was raw. But she’s alive.
She pushed herself up on her elbows. The world tilted. She waited for it to steady. Then she sat up fully and looked at the mountains ahead, white peaks against a light blue sky, and made a decision.
She was going to reach them.
She didn't know whose territory lay beyond those peaks. She didn't know if they would shelter her or kill her. But she knew one thing, staying in the wilderness meant death, Rogues and starvation. The cough that was slowly eating her from the inside.
At least a pack was a chance.
She pulled herself to her feet. Her legs still shook. Her vision blurred. She took one st
