39. Forest

Callista.

The moat isn’t as deep as I thought it would be, and I’m thankful for that.

I’m dripping wet after crossing it, my clothes heavy on my body. I wring whatever I can and shake the water out of my shoes. My backpack hasn’t soaked, which is a relief.

I’m finally outside the castle.

Now the time was crucial.

I start to run. I’m as strong as I’ve been before, and that helps me to cross the town in no time. I avoid the main road and any important buildings, opting to weave my way through the residential area. My aim is the forest, and even though the town of the Rexellen pack is bigger than the Leighwen pack’s, it’s still small enough.

I’m panting hard by the time I make it to the tree line.

I halt after I pass the last house, taking one last look at the town and the distant castle.

Had it only been two months since I’d arrived here? It feels like I’m escaping a place that had caged me forever.

The forest is hard to navigate. Unlike the Leighwen pack’s forest, this one lacks any wa