Camilla’s POV

Every shadow felt like a threat amid the quiet, dark woods. As I carried Mira, her tiny arms coiled around my neck, the Beta took the lead, his gun out. Fear tightened around my chest, and every stride felt like a struggle against it. Every step was weighed down by dread, even though I knew we had to keep going.

The Beta responded, "Almost there," but his tone was unconfident.

Mira's breath was warm against my neck as I repositioned my hold on her. I muttered, my voice barely ...