Chapter 117

Caspian was still attempting to gather the scattered pack back together when Khelt and Adel reappeared out of the darkness. The group were fearful and exhausted, and with their leaders missing they threatened to fall apart entirely. Bringing them to a halt in a broad cranny sheltered by a line of trees, Caspian did his best to make sure everyone was accounted for.

The dim worry that he had not yet counted Netya among their number grew, but it only flared to life when he saw her limp body cradled in Khelt’s arms. Adel huddled by her apprentice’s side, clutching her hand and muttering under her breath as she leant up against the alpha. The pair of them were ragged and bloody, barely even able to hold themselves up.

“What happened?!” Caspian exclaimed as he dashed forward to meet them, eyes fixed on Netya’s pale face. A torn piece of hide bound another wad of blood-soaked clothing to her body just above the hip. Her chest rose and fell gently, but her breathing was shallow.