37: A Witch Bargain

JONAS POV

With a groan, I pushed my weary body away from the tree, feeling its rough bark imprint on my back. I brushed off bits of leaves and dirt from my feet, steadying myself on the ground before setting off to find my horse.

After walking a short distance through the shadowy woods, I spotted my horse. It stood there in the clearing, as serene as ever, right where I had left it.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I approached it with caution. Horses detest sudden surprises, and the last thing I needed at that moment was a swift kick in my balls. I harbored no doubts that it would inflict more pain than an arrow piercing my chest.

“Come on, old friend,” I whispered to my horse, leading it off the path and deeper into the woods. Despite my status as a high-ranking werewolf, I found myself alone and gravely wounded. These roads were infamous for being swarmed by blood-sucking demons after midnight.

Choosing the fool’s path, I guided my horse further into the wilderness. We stumbled