Savannah couldn’t help but look over her shoulder as they walked into the forest, giving Tom one last, long look. He was watching them both, his face set. Silently, she prayed he wouldn’t come after them. They had to talk to Lucas alone.

“Ready?”

Dan grinned. “I’ve been waiting for this!”

Within seconds, they were both in their bear skin. Dan tested his muscles, shaking his legs and pushing his weight onto his hind legs. Throwing himself back down onto all fours, he snorted once. He was clearly still in some pain, but at least he’d been able to shift. Walking forward slowly, Dan tested his weight on all his limbs, before shaking his fur all over, clearly thrilled to be back in his bear. A growl of contentment came from him, and Savannah tossed her head in happiness. Dan was back to normal and, together, they were going to make Nick’s pack a stronger one.

They began to walk further into the woods. Savannah had no idea where they would find Lucas, but was sure that he would be around somewhere. He’d been watching the mechanics, and her, she was sure. How else would he have found her at the lake?

Once the mechanics shop was hidden by the trees, anxiety raced through Savannah. They’d left her safe place, left Tom behind. She just hoped she’d be able to get back there safely.

A sudden growl of warning rattled from Dan, just as Savannah caught a scent.

Lucas. He’s here.

Dan looked at her, before walking further in. Savannah knew she had to follow, had to be brave enough to stand up to her former pack leader once and for all. She couldn’t be a part of this pack any longer, and Lucas had to know that.

He’s here somewhere, she heard Dan say. A shiver of fear ran through her body, but she kept her nose to the ground, following Dan. Lucas’ scent grew stronger as they moved through the woods. The trees grew dense, hiding the sunlight completely and only letting tiny shafts of light pierce through the leaves. They were getting closer to the Northern Wind territory, but Savannah just focused on putting one paw in front of the other.

You’re here.

Lucas’ voice in her head made Savannah freeze, ice filling her veins.

I’m safe, Lucas, Dan said, his head turning from side to side as he searched for Lucas in the trees. I’m not dead.

Savannah’s breath puffed out in a cloud, betraying her fright. She couldn’t see Lucas anywhere, but his scent was all around her.

Did you bring him?

Tossing her head, Savannah pushed herself up on to her hind legs. Deciding that she wouldn’t show any fear or even the smallest amount of respect for Lucas, she pulled back her lips and let her teeth show. No. I didn’t.

Why not?

Dan raised himself up beside Savannah. I’m not dead, Lucas. There’s no need for revenge.

 

Tom couldn't help but follow Savannah. There was something gnawing at him, an uncertainty that he couldn't ignore. A look had passed between Savannah and Dan, one that he was sure he wasn't meant to have seen. It was like they knew each other, although Tom admitted he could be wrong about that. After all, they had gotten to know each other a little bit over the last couple of days. Maybe they'd talked about more than he realized.

Shaking his head, Tom walked to the edge of the wood, his bones already beginning to snap before he set foot on the forest floor. His bear was nervous, snuffling and snorting. Something was wrong with Savannah and the bear was determined that Tom was going to find out exactly what it was.

He caught her scent almost at once. She’d shifted not long after walking into the woods, and had begun to head deeper into the woods. Almost towards the Northern Wind pack territory, he thought to himself, just before he shifted completely. His bear pulled itself from its skin with a rush, but Tom kept his mouth clamped shut. He didn’t allow himself to make a single noise of pain, suddenly aware that he had to be both quiet and stealthy. His bear instincts took over completely, forcing him to walk as silently as possible through the woods. Sniffing hard, he caught both Dan and Savannah’s scent. At least they were still together. There was no scent of blood, which was a relief. Savannah was still safe.

Walking slowly, sniffing with every step, Tom felt a swirl of unease take over his whole being. Dan and Savannah’s scents had mixed, but now there was another one on the wind. Stopping still, he sniffed again, longer this time. A lump of fear settled in his stomach. Lucas.

A snarl tore from his jaws as he moved more quickly through the trees. He’d known Dan was up to something, but Nick hadn’t believed him. Now, here he was, taking Savannah in the woods and back to Lucas! They were probably going to force her to join their pack, and he’d never see her again. His chest rattled, but Tom forced the growl back into his throat. His anger was fuelling every step, but the bear remained quiet. He had to find her and take in the situation before he could think about making any kind of attack.

A whisper caught his ears. Lucas’ words, directed at somebody else. His large paws stepped carefully, his ears pricking up to catch every sound.

I wanted Tom. You failed me.

Tom bared his teeth, wishing he could rip into Lucas' skin. Obviously, Dan had been told to bring Tom to him, but he'd brought Savannah instead. What was Lucas going to do to her?

I failed you on purpose, Lucas.

Tom felt his heart almost stop beating at the sound of Savannah’s voice. His anger ebbed away like the tide. Savannah had been part of Lucas' pack? For how long? His strength began to fade, forcing his bear to sit backward in the grass. Twigs snapped under his weight, the sound echoing through the trees, but Tom didn't even notice. All he could think of was Savannah, and how she had betrayed him. She'd come into his life and kept the truth from him. She was part of Lucas' pack, and that could only mean one thing: everything she'd told him had been a lie.

Growling low in his chest, Tom felt as though he were being torn apart. He’d given himself completely to Savannah. He’d shared his heart and his body with her, only to discover that she was part of the Northern Wind pack. Part of the pack that had attacked him and Nick. The pack that had almost killed Nick.

I won't be part of the Northern Wind pack anymore.

His ears pricked up, as his dulled mind slowly registered what Savannah was telling Lucas. She’d been told to take him to Lucas, but instead, she was turning her back on her pack leader. The pain in his heart slowly began to lessen.

I’m done, he heard her say. I won’t help you, Lucas. Not anymore.

Lucas bared his teeth and began to snarl viciously. Despite what he'd heard, Tom's protective instinct came out full force, and he pushed himself back onto his four paws.

 

Savannah tried to ignore the pulsing fear racing through her, as Lucas growled at her. The more she held her ground, the angrier he became, until, eventually, he'd pushed himself onto his hind legs and roared to the skies. Dread rippled down her spine, but she stood her ground. To lower her head and show deference now would make her lose the fight. She had to show Lucas that she meant what she said.

Suddenly, the sound stopped. Lucas stayed on his hind legs, but his nose was working hard, sniffing the air around him. Afraid of what it was he'd discovered, Savannah sucked in a breath of air, sorting through the different scents until she discovered exactly what it was Lucas had found.

Tom was here.