Both Alphas were after me . Without wasting another second , I spun around and dashed into the forest . My feet barely touched the ground . They were in their wolf form and I could not shift , so in this condition I was at a disadvantage and could be easily killed . I pushed every ounce of speed from my body , sprinting through the underbrush with a wild , electric desperation . Behind me , the crashing sounds of pursuit exploded . Faster , faster ! Thankfully they could not pick up my scent but I still kept hiding my aura to prevent them tracking my down . Breath burning my throat , I summoned every trick I had learned … every survival skill , every hidden instinct Phina whispered into my mind . Turning back to check once in a while , I veered sharply left at the base of a twisted pine . Rolled under a fallen log . Splashed briefly through a shallow stream . Anything to hide my aura or scent if it slipped . Anything to make them lose my trail . I wasn't just fighting to win the trial now . I was fighting to stay alive from two crazy Alphas after me . I sprinted through the dense trees , my heart hammering against my ribs , my lungs burning with every breath . Only when I had put enough distance between myself and the clearing did I finally glance down at the crumpled chit still clenched in my fist . One single word WILL scrawled there : BISON . I stumbled slightly , disbelief punching the air from my chest . A bison ? Were they serious ? Massive , homed beasts , nearly impossible to take down alone , even for an experienced hunter . But there was no time to curse my luck. Behind me , the ground shook from the weight of something heavy moving through the forest . Fast and violent , I twisted my head and caught a glimpse through the trees . A large wolf with sleek black fur and glowing eyes tearing through . the underbrush - Dante . Not Ronan . I gritted my teeth . This Alpha …. He was the one who had fucked up my already messed up situation . Now Ronan was after me thanks to him or this hunt would have been me solely focusing on my hunt . Dante had shifted and now he was hunting me like a true predator , not his assigned prey . And his killing intent was obvious . Shit . Did he pick my scent ? It was impossible right ? I couldn't outrun him forever . And if Dante found me then Ronan would be here soon as well " Fighting against two Alphas would not be wise . " Phina stated in my mind . " Especially when we have to hunt the Bison as well " You are right , " I breathed hard . " We have to avoid the fight . When they were not even my prey but actually hunting me " If I wanted to survive the night , get my hunt and through this ridiculous trial , I needed to use my brain , not just my legs rkly . I seered off the obvious trail and dove into a thick patch of berry bushes . The wild , sour scent hut me imunediately . I grabbed a handful of berries and crushed them against my clothes , smearing the strong smell over my skin to mask my scent . My ears twitched at the faint sound of pawsteps drawing nearer Ducking low , I crept forward until I spotted a branch , half - broken and hanging precariously above a narrow path . Silently , I climbed the nearest tree , clinging to the trunk like a cat . My hands found the weakened branch … and with one strong jerk . I broke it loose . The branch crashed to the ground with a deafening crack . Below , Dante's wolf form skidded to a halt , muscles tensing , head snapping toward the sound . Perfect Before he could spot me , I launched myself into the neighboring tree , keeping high and out of reach . The branches swayed , but I moved with them , keeping my body fluid and silent like a shadow ." If I could keep misleading him , keep him chasing ghosts , he'd waste precious energy and time . " Let's see if you're still so eager when the tables turn , Dante ' I swung from branch to branch , deeper into the heart of the deadly Blackmoon Forest . Hours blurred into each other but my search for a bison continued . With each passing second I became desperate because I had been running out of time . At the same time Phina had been demanding to shift and make our search quick . I also wanted to do it but the risk of being exposed was like a sword at my neck . The Blackmoon Forest was alive with chaos . Snarls , growls , and the clash of teeth and claws echoed through the trees .. I moved like a whisper through the dense undergrowth , my senses sharpened , always one breath away from danger . Twice , I slipped past dueling Alphas locked in brutal fights with their assigned prey - a huge boar thrashing a boy into the mud , an Alpha wolf desperately fending off a mountain lion with bloody claws . I didn't stop . I couldn't . " Where is this bison ! " 1 growled under my breath while glancing around once in a while to make sure no one was following I climbed rocky ridges , slid through muddy valleys , and even waded through a shallow , ice - cold stream to further throw off my scent The night deepened around me , and time ticked dangerously away . My muscles ached , and my stomach twisted in hollow hunger , but finally - finally - my efforts paid off . A sharp , distinct sign . A huge , cloven hoof print stamped deep into the damp earth . My heart leapt . I crouched , tracing the wide print with my fingers , feeling the heavy pressure left behind . Nearby , I spotted broken branches at shoulder height - far higher than any wolf or deer could reach . The beast had passed through not long ago . " We are close . " I said to Phina " Yes , let's hunt it " Phuna growled Excitement flared through my Tould do this I could catch up , bring it down , and But just as I took off after the trail weaving through the thickening trees , a low growl rumbled to my left I skidded to a halt , whipping my head around . Emerging from the misted darkness , muscles rippling under his dark black coat , was a massive wolf with f familiar cold , violet . Chapter 20 Bison furious eyes Ronan His wolf form stood tall , blocking my path , the raw fury in his gaze making me hold my breath . He found me . Send Gifts