I only agreed because I thought I could protect the rest of the pack. Dallas whined and rolled to show me his belly.

I leaned closer and snarled. You did it to save your ass. You clearly don’t give a fuck about the rest of the pack. I stood and paced while Dallas lay there silently sulking. Then a thought occurred to me. You didn’t explain the tunnels.

They were watching me all the time. I thought with tunnels I could evade them better. I could construct them in a way the hatches would be hidden. I tried. I really tried. He stared up at me with sad eyes.

This was the part where I was supposed to comfort him. He wanted me to make him feel better for his choices, the decisions he had made. I shook my head. You didn’t have to try. All you had to do was tell the truth. Don’t you think my father would’ve helped you with Stewart? Hell, even better. Did it never occur to you that my father would’ve helped you find Lizzie? None of this ever had to happen. You could’ve been with your mate. My father could’ve lived. I sank down on the ground and thought about Quinn, who couldn’t bring himself to join another pack. My mate and I could be together. I choked out those last words.

Then I stood and walked around in an effort to clear my head. I didn’t want to think all the things I was thinking. I didn’t want to count how many lives Dallas had ruined with his selfish actions. Most of all, I didn’t want to consider the punishment I’d dole out if we survived. Everything seemed to overwhelm me at the moment and once again it all came back to my missing mate, the one who would anchor me in the present and be my touchstone as we built our future. If I even pondered it, the loss would overwhelm me and I’d never figure out a way for us to get out of here. Obviously, I couldn’t count on Dallas to reason through any of this and plan our daring escape.

I studied the shaft a moment before speaking. How long did it take you to dig out those tunnels?

Dallas’ ears perked up. By the last one, I was much faster. I can dig about two feet an hour. He stood proudly. I really think we could join up with that tunnel. We could start back here. He moved to stand in the middle of the shaft, about a yard and a half from the edge of the cave in.

Yeah, see, I don’t. I’m guessing the tunnel is caved in from all the rocks and dirt. The whole ground shook. I think we’d dig and find ourselves no better off than we are right now.

Do you have a better idea? He spoke gruffly and quickly realized his mistake. I mean, what’s your idea, Alpha?

Funny you should ask, Dallas. I walked over and stood beside the wall in between the two shafts. I think this is our best hope. I think we should tunnel under this wall, into the other shaft. My guess is the cave in was isolated to this spot because you hit the support beam. I bet we could walk out of here after we make it to the other side.

Dallas was silent for a moment and I sat patiently while waiting for him to accept my idea was sound. Nearly a minute later he mumbled, You’re right. How thick do you think the wall is?

I saw the plans once. The wall gets progressively thicker as their paths diverge. Let me think. I walked toward the rubble and did a few mental calculations. I’d say at least six feet. Could be as many as eight.

He closed his eyes and I guessed he was trying to picture it and determine how to proceed. So, we’re looking at roughly ten feet of tunnel to be safe. That’s at least five solid hours of digging. With no water. While running out of air.

I chuckled. I’d been taught to laugh in the face of danger. Give or take. I’m thinking four tops. You’ll have my help. Even as we tire, two wolves are better than one.

I’d feel better if… Dallas stopped speaking and began to dig.

I’d already guessed what he’d been about to say. Listen, you big jerk, this girl beat your ass to become Alpha, I rescued your ass in the hut, and I saved your ass in the woods. It’s time to recognize that females aren’t the weaker sex. We’re definitely your equals. I watched him for a reaction, but Dallas gave none. You dig, I’ll scoop.

Finally, he responded. Thank you, Alpha.

For the first time in my life, I was actually thankful I didn’t have a phone. Experience had taught me phones were worthless in the mines. There was no cell service due to the rocks. The mountains were a challenge already. Oh, and if I had a phone, I’d be able to measure our progress, which would be a terrible idea.

We’d been at this for some time. Dallas had been digging, doing his best to propel us forward. As I’d imagined, he knew what he was doing. He said little while he worked, although he did pause at one point to explain his actions. We have to be down a certain depth or there’s a greater danger of collapse. And we have so little time, I don’t think we can afford to make mistakes.

We can’t. You’re doing just fine. Do you need a break? Want me to dig for a while? I’d noticed how labored his breath had sounded.

Dallas coughed for a minute. Nah. I’m good. I’m just not used to having to work so quickly. I’ve always had all the time in the world before.

I laughed quietly. Yes, but this time you have more motivation than ever before. We want to live.

Crawling backwards, Dallas whined. Do we? I don’t have anything to live for. Lizzie is long gone. She probably found a new mate. You’re ready to kill me, so for me, the difference is the location of my demise.

Okay, so I’ll dig. I passed him in the tight space and began to dig. This sucked. Some of the dirt was actually clay. There were plenty of rocks in the way. I’d snagged my claws on quartz, which was a little painful. Oh, but not as painful as never seeing Quinn again. I’d picture his face. I’d imagine him hurting the rest of his life and dig harder. Or I’d picture him finding a new mate, which was when I dug the fastest.

Behind me, Dallas scooped the dirt and debris. After I’d gone a good two feet, I heard him grumbling. I think you dig faster than I do.

Why are you still so surprised by my abilities? If I wasn’t saving every bit of strength for the escape, I’d have beaten the fur off him.

I never pictured you wanting to get your nails dirty.

Wow, the insults just keep coming. Maybe we shouldn’t talk. I have no idea why you think so little of me. I channeled my fury into creating the tunnel.

You never worked in the garden. You never worked in the mine. Apparently, work was beneath Savannah Silver.

I froze, but didn’t turn around. If I had to look at him, I might rip his throat out. Do you have any idea why I didn’t garden or mine? Huh? Do you?

Dallas was silent a moment. I think we should just focus on getting out, he mumbled.

Oh, do you? Because a second ago, you thought it was time to focus on insulting me and my father. I snarled, but still didn’t begin digging again.

I’d never insult your father, he muttered.

When you insult me, and how I was raised, you insult my father, dickhead. See, when everyone else was gardening and mining, I was learning from the age of twelve, how to take care of the pack. I learned about all of our holdings, how to maintain them, manage them, grow them, and build the pack’s wealth. Oh, and when I wasn’t learning the business side of the pack, I was busy learning how to defend our pack. I was trained to fight, to kill, to maim even. My father wanted me to be a better Alpha than he’d ever been so he worked me harder than anyone else.

Dallas inhaled sharply. I had no idea.

Well, you wouldn’t, I snapped. Every day I trained in martial arts, and weapons. Every night, I stayed up late trying to finish my homework. Did you know he had me taking college classes while I was still in high school? Did you know he insisted I complete my bachelor’s degree with a double major in business management, and psychology?

No, Alpha. His voice sounded strained.

You had it easy and you blew it. Worse, you destroyed the very pack you claim to love, and the Alpha to whom you swore your allegiance. I fumed as I stood there in the tunnel. I don’t want to hear another word out of you. Every damn bit of your energy needs to go into this tunnel. Got it? Wait. No words. You respond by scooping.

Behind me, I heard the sound of dirt and stones being moved. Finally, I felt calmer. I gave my attention to the wall of dirt in front of me. Then I turned around and stared the length of passage we’d created. Hey, would you say this is eight feet or so? My question was met with silence. Frustrated, I pressed my forehead to the side of the tunnel. You can use your words this time, Dallas.

Yes. Definitely. I think we should start going up. The excitement was evident in his voice.

Okay, you wanna take the lead on this? I figured he had more experience, and I also hoped if I gave him the chance to shine, he’d start to rise to the occasion.

Of course, Alpha. Dallas squeezed past me and we started our ascent. We should be out in no time.

Good. I’d like nothing more than to be free of this mine. I started scooping the dirt past me with more than a few tugs of guilt. I’d just lied. In truth, I’d like nothing more than to be with Quinn. Since I couldn’t have him, I’d settle for freedom.