CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE – NO TURNING BACK

Exhausted, they collapsed in a hidden grove. Cassie's lungs burned as she gulped in air. "Do you think Elena made it?" she asked between breaths. Florian's expression was grim. "I don't know. But she gave us a chance, and we can't waste it." As they rested, Cassie's mind raced with thoughts of Elena, of the life they'd left behind, and of the uncertain future ahead. "Florian," she said softly, "what happens if we make it to this sanctuary?" Florian turned to her, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "If we make it, we'll be among other werewolves. We'll be protected." "And then what?" Cassie pressed. "Do we spend the rest of our lives hiding?" Florian sighed. "I don't know, Cass. I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. All I know is that as long as we're together, we'll figure it out." Cassie nodded, leaning into him. "Together," she echoed. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they set out again, their path leading them deeper into the mountains. The terrai