Page 112 of Full Moon
I can see the fish now—dark shadows darting beneath the ice, their intentions clear. They strike at every turn, testing the ice, testing me. But I won't falter. Not now. Diaval and Easton flank the pack as they make their way around the lake's edge, their vigilance unwavering. Exhaustion seeps into my bones, and my limbs grow heavier with every passing moment. But I keep going. I have to. My pack is depending on me.
The first of my pack-mates reach the shore, their paws thudding softly on the sand as they pass me, creating space for the others. Relief flickers in their eyes, but it's fleeting—there's still more to come. A panicked howl pierces the air. Dorian. I can hear the fear in his voice as he sees my legs locked, tension in every muscle betraying the fatigue I'm barely holding at bay. His howl isn't just for me—it's for the pack, urging them to move faster, push harder.
Time is slipping through our fingers, and he knows I'm running out of it.
Khal and Torben make it to shore next. The moment Torben's paws hit solid ground, he shifts back, breath coming in quick bursts as he digs through the packs. He's frantic but focused, hands moving with practiced efficiency as he grabs food. He's in front of me before I can blink, holding out chunks of meat, his eyes pleading. My body trembles as I bite into the raw flesh, swallowing it in two bites. It's not enough, but it's something.
Khal reappears, bringing more fish, dropping them near Torben to feed me. His voice is soft, almost trembling. "You can do it, little wolf. You're the strongest woman I know." There's a waver there, a crack in his usually steady tone. He knows I'm nearing my limit.
I force down more food even though it sits heavy in my stomach like swallowing stones. I turn my head, scanning the ice. The last of the wolves are about fifty yards from shore, with Diaval and Easton at the back, pushing them forward. But my body is betraying me.
My muscles start to spasm, sharp pain shooting through me as my legs give out. I collapse onto the ice, exhaustion seeping into my bones. My strength is draining, slipping away like water through a sieve. I'm so tired.
"Little wolf, you've got to get up." Torben's voice is thick with desperation. He's scared—terrified.
His fear cuts through the haze, but I can't move. I want to, but I'm so close to burning out. Every part of me screams to keep going, to push past the exhaustion. But it feels impossible. The weight of the ice, the pressure of my pack's lives depending onme—it's too much. I feel myself slipping. The terror in Torben's voice is the last thing I hear before everything fades.
The next morning.
My mind drifts between dreams and reality, the heavy fog slowly lifting as consciousness returns.
I feel warmth, the familiar strength of Torben's arms around me. At some point, I must have shifted back because I'm wrapped in a blanket, cocooned in his embrace. He's holding me so tightly, like he's afraid to let go.
Everything feels hazy, like I'm floating on the edge of a memory—not quite here but not quite gone either. I hear voices—soft, distant at first, then slowly coming into focus.
Khal's voice, gentle and filled with something almost like reverence, drifts into my awareness. "What she did was nothing short of a miracle." His words are like a tether, pulling me further into wakefulness.
There's a pause, a murmur of agreement, then Dorian speaks, his tone laced with awe. "She froze a quarter of a warm water lake. Stories of the winter wolves of the past never said they wielded that kind of power."
My body aches as I stretch, a low moan escaping my lips. The movement stirs the others. A straw is pressed gently to my lips, and Diaval's voice, usually so confident, carries an edge of fear. "My eternal, please drink. You need to regain your strength." His words send a ripple through me. Did I scare him?
It's a struggle, but I force my eyes open, accept the straw, and take a slow sip. The cold water shocks my system, making me shiver, but it's welcome. As it slides down my throat, I feel the coolness settle in my chest, soothing the rawness that lingers there. For the first time in what feels like forever, I take a deep breath, savoring the way it fills my lungs, steadying my heart.
I made it.
We all made it.
