8. Humans, always making excuses
I haven't run like this since Training Camp, and my body is loudly protesting.
A stabbing pain forms in my side, and my lungs feel like they're on fire.
Every breath hurts. I stop briefly, hands on my knees, gasping for air and looking down at the town.
People scurrying, preparing for the worst. I force myself forward again.
When I finally reach the meeting point, I spot silhouettes in the distance. They've already turned around, heading back into the forest.
"Wait!" I yell, my voice cracking. One figure stops while the others continue walking. I push myself harder, but my pace has slowed to something barely faster than a walk.
"Please... wait," I manage to wheeze out, though it's barely audible. Thank god for wolf hearing.
The leader—I recognize his stance even from behind—turns around and watches me stagger the final distance. When I finally reach him, I double over, hands on my knees, fighting to breathe.
"Suh... sorry," I gasp before dropping to the ground, my legs giving out beneath me. He looks down at me and then up the hill.
"Where on earth is that car of yours?" he asks, his voice dripping with annoyance.
"Didn't make it," I say, still recovering from the run, but finally able to breathe again.
He studies me with those intense dark eyes. "You're late."
"My car died. Had to run." I manage to stand up on wobbly legs, trying to salvage some dignity. "I got here as fast as I could."
"Humans." He says the word like it explains everything wrong with the universe. "Always making excuses."
"It's not an excuse, it's what happened," I snap back, surprising both of us with my tone. "I could have just turned around when the car died. Wouldn't that have been easier?"
His eyes narrow. "Perhaps you should have. It would certainly be safer for you."
"But not for the town."
"Ah yes," he says with a cold smile. "Your noble sacrifice. Coming to reason with the savage wolves."
"That's not what I—"
"Your town is evacuating," he cuts me off. "They didn't waste any time after sending you up here alone."
So he does know. I swallow hard. "I'm still here because I believe there's a better way than violence."
"And what way is that?" he asks, stepping closer. "A human justice system that always favors humans? Your precious communication protocols that do nothing but delay the inevitable conflict?"
I hold my ground despite the urge to step back. "Maybe something new. Something we build together."
He studies me for a long moment, then turns and starts walking toward the forest. "Come. The others are waiting. And you've wasted enough time."
I adjust my backpack and follow him, realizing I still don't know his name. I also realize I'm walking alone into wolf territory with someone who clearly holds humans in contempt. But what choice do I have?
John's probably already made the call for reinforcements. All I can do now is try to prevent a bloodbath before they arrive.