Chapter 55: The Plunge

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Plunge Lily tried to get as far as she could before her legs gave out. She was gasping, chest burning like she’d swallowed fire. Every breath hurt. Her legs were sore and shaky, barely able to carry her weight anymore. Still, she kept running, clutching the bag of supplies tight to her chest like it could protect her. Her fingers cramped from holding it so hard, but she didn’t let go. Twigs cracked under her feet, and branches scratched her arms and face. She kept glancing over her shoulder, heart racing. No one was there. But it didn’t matter. The fear remained. Her foot caught on a root, and she dropped to her knees hard. A sharp sting shot up her leg, but she pushed herself up again, teeth gritted. She had to move. Had to keep going. Her vision blurred with tears. The world around her felt like it was spinning. And then there was Martha. She could see her in her mind. Smiling and talking to her in that sweet way of hers. Holding her shoulders gently, brushing the hair from her face. Always patient. Always kind. Lily’s chest twisted painfully. What if something happened to her because of this? Because Lily left? She leaned against a tree, her body shaking. The tears came faster now. She didn’t make a sound, just cried quietly, shoulders trembling. Her breath was too fast and sharp. Everything inside her wanted to turn around, to run back and check on Martha. But then Victoria’s threatening voice echoed in her head, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll slit Martha’s throat in her sleep.” Lily closed her eyes and hugged the bag tighter, she had no choice. Even if every step forward felt like it was breaking her, she had to push on. A branch snapped somewhere nearby. Lily froze. Her head snapped to the side. Her heart was beating so fast it hurt. A breeze shifted through the trees, and with it, a scent. One she didn’t know. Her knees buckled. She dropped to the ground, clutching the bag to her chest like it could shield her. Her eyes darted around, trying to find what was hidden. Then, she saw them. One stepped out from the trees. Then another. There were four of them in total. Unfamiliar faces. Rogues. “Oh, there she is,” one of them chuckled, his gaze sweeping over her like she was a prize. “She’s shaking,” another sneered, circling. “Didn’t think we’d find her so quickly.” Lily tried to move, but her body refused. She pressed back against a tree, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Look at that bag,” a third rogue said, jerking his chin. “Someone packed her up nicely.” “Thought she could escape,” the first laughed. “Too bad she found us.” Lily’s breath came in shallow gasps. She dropped the bag, pushing it toward them with trembling hands, and pointed at it, desperate. One of them kicked it aside. “We’re not here for that.” The tallest stepped closer. “We were told a mute wolf, dressed in rags and carrying a bag of supplies, might be spotted in this area.” “A reward was offered,” another added. “If we made her disappear. For good..” Lily’s eyes widened. They weren’t after her supplies. They were after her. “She fits the profile.” “She’s kinda pretty,” one muttered, licking his lips. “Such a waste to kill her just like that. We might as well enjoy ourselves before we finish the job.” Lily shook her head in panic, backing away. Dread washed over her as nightmares she had buried deep crawled their way back to the surface. “You heard him,” another sneered. “Let’s have some fun first.” A choked gasp escaped Lily’s lips. Her legs moved before her mind did; she turned and bolted. Her heart was pounding like a drum in her ears. “Run, little mute!” one of them laughed behind her. “We love a good chase!” Lily didn’t get far. Her legs were barely holding up, her lungs screaming for air as branches scratched her arms and face. Up ahead, she noticed a clearing. She skidded to a stop, dirt kicking up around her feet. A cliff. Her eyes widened as she looked down. Sharp rocks. A steep drop. No path forward. Footsteps crunched behind her. “Here we are,” one of the rogues hissed. “Looks like you have nowhere else to go.” Before she could turn, pain ripped across her back. Claws ripped through her skin and flesh. Lily’s mouth opened in a silent scream as she fell to her knees. Blood soaked through her shirt, warm and fast. She tried to crawl towards the edge of the cliff, but the rogue grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her back. “Not so fast.” She writhed, kicking weakly, trying to break free. “Fiesty, aren’t you?” Another sneered, “Perhaps you’ll be more obedient once we’re done with you.” Lily’s eyes flickered to the edge again. It was just a few feet away. Her breathing was ragged. She forced herself up, legs shaking under her. “Where do you think you’re going?” the tall one laughed, stepping forward with a twisted grin. His hand shot out toward her. Lily flinched and stumbled back, her breath caught in her throat. As his fingers reached for her arm, she ducked at the last second, barely slipping past him. “Hey!” he shouted. She didn’t wait. Her legs screamed in protest, but she pushed them anyway. She ran. She kept her eyes on the path before her. Soon, she ran out of road to run. The lines of trees disappeared, replaced with an open space. Realizing there was no more path to run, she stopped barely in time at the edge. Wind howled up from the cliffside, sending a chill down her spine. They were closing in. Tears blurred her vision, but her choice was clear. She looked at them, then over the edge. With one final burst of strength, Lily threw herself forward and leaped, arms tight around herself. The cold wind rushed past her as the world gave way beneath her. For one terrifying second, she was weightless. The wind roared in her ears, but everything else was quiet. No claws. No shouting. No pain. It was just the air, the sky above, and the rush of her heartbeat. Her stomach twisted from the fall, but her chest felt light. She was finally free. And falling. Lily squinted her eyes shut, bracing for impact. A shadow tore through the trees, fast, fierce, and massive. The rogues barely had time to react. A wolf, silver and black, shot past them like a streak of lightning. It didn’t slow. Lily was already falling, arms flailing now, wind screaming in her ears, when something slammed into her midair, wrapping around her tightly. Warm and familiar. They hit the water with a brutal crash. Then he shifted. The cold sucked every ounce of air from her lungs. Her vision spun. But she wasn’t alone. Strong arms clutched her close. A body shielded her from the worst of the impact. Zayn. Her fingers curled around him as he held onto her, kicking hard beneath the surface. When they broke through the water, she gasped, coughing violently and clinging to him. “I’ve got you,” he muttered, voice raw with urgency. “I’ve got you.” He didn’t stop. He swam hard, dragging her through the current until they reached the shallows. He hauled her out of the freezing water and swept her into his arms without pause. Her body trembled violently. Her skin was clammy, lips tinged blue. Her breath was shallow and shaky. “Stay with me, Lily,” he said again, brushing wet strands from her face as he stood. She didn’t respond. Her head lolled against his chest, and her teeth chattered so hard it made her whole body jerk. Zayn growled low under his breath, holding her tighter. “Hang on.” Carrying her in his arms, Zayn sped through the forest. The moment they reached the infirmary, he didn’t slow. He kicked the doors open. “Talia! Kael!” his voice boomed. “Now!” He laid Lily down gently on the nearest cot, never letting go of her hand. Talia looked up and gasped. “What the hell...” “She fell from a cliff,” Zayn said quickly. His voice was tight and sharp with panic. “She’s freezing... but her forehead is burning up. And she’s wounded on the back.” Talia didn’t waste a second. “Kael, help me,” she said, hurrying to Lily’s side. She glanced at Zayn and Kael. “Turn around. Both of you.” Zayn blinked but did as she asked, stepping back and turning his back. Kael followed silently. Once they turned, Talia gently peeled off what was left of Lily’s soaked clothes, her hands moving quickly but carefully. She wrapped her in dry blankets, murmuring softly as she worked. “Okay,” she called out. “You can look now.” Kael turned back and immediately went to check Lily’s pulse and breathing, his brows furrowed. “She’s burning up,” he muttered. “We need to keep a close eye on her fever.” Zayn stood tense, eyes on Lily. His hands were clenched at his sides. “I’m going to deal with the rogues,” he muttered, turning to leave. But before he could take a step, a small, weak hand caught his wrist. He froze. Lily. Her fingers barely held on. She tugged on his hand. The message was clear—don’t go. He looked down. Her eyes were glassy, barely open, but they were locked onto his. Her lips moved without sound. Zayn’s heart twisted. “I’ll be back,” he said quietly, kneeling beside her again. “I promise.”