I stumbled through the forest-my legs shaking underneath me, my body weak from hunger and thirst, from exhaustion. The darkness seemed to close in around me, the clouds above growing thicker by the minute. I could smell the rain coming-heavy and relentless-and I knew I needed to find shelter.
I stumbled and fell, scraping my knees on the rough earth. I struggled to my feet and felt the weight of my despair crushing me.
What was the point of it? Why even try to survive in the first place? The pack had cast me out, Ryker had rejected me, and now I was completely and truly alone, lost in a hostile world. I thought of my mother, of Cormac, and a sob rose in my throat.
"Mother, Cormac, help me," I cried low, my voice no louder than a whisper. "I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want
