The door to the cabin bursts open with a violent crack, but wait — no. This isn't the cabin anymore. In the chaos of being carried, the pain and the relief of their hands on me, I didn't notice they had moved me deeper into their real home. The underground safe haven connected to that treehouse lookout. Stone walls reinforced with ancient wood, torches flickering low, furs and weapons scattered like they'd been preparing for war. Our home. Not some random bamboo hideout. But safety just shattered.
Heavy footsteps thunder in. That monster — my captor — bursts through with a squad of twisted creatures behind him. His head still bandaged from where I hit him, eyes pitch black and raging. "Ravine! You think your little pets can hide you from me?"
I scramble back on the bed, the flannel blanket falling, my bandaged foot screaming as I move. The power inside surges like lava. One day left. Mate or explode. The heat in my belly burns hotter, mixing with terror.
