Chapter 70

Lara

After hours of running, I finally allow myself a break. It’s getting dark, and even though I’m miles away from my pack, I can’t continue running. My throat is sore, and my paws feel heavier than lead.

It makes sense. Ashton and I reached our camping place by driving an entire day—a werewolf can’t run the same distance in just a few hours.

And even though I’m aware the vampires could catch up to me, I don’t think they will since they want me to warn Ryan of what’s to come: a war between the werewolves and the vampires.

I’m safe.

But Ashton is not.

He is dead.

Immediate pain bursts through me. It feels like there’s a hole in my chest where my heart would be.

I can't fucking breathe.

I shape-shift back into a human to let my tears fall as I walk through the forest entirely naked. I’m not cold. I’m just sad and broken. How does one recover from losing their mate?

Leaves crunch underneath my feet as I drag myself forward. I can hear a lake in the distance, but before I can reach it,