Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

It wasn’t an enemy they faced, but rather a pack of wild wolves. These weren’t mere pups; they were fully grown, fierce adults, clearly prepared for a confrontation. The tension in the air was palpable.

“The wild wolves… they’ve been trailing us all along,” Cam said, his voice tinged with a strange mix of awe and concern. Rania could tell from his tone that this was no ordinary encounter.

For a long moment, they remained perfectly still, blending into the shadows cast by the dense trees and thick underbrush. Suddenly, one of the wolves stepped forward and gently nudged Cam’s leg, almost as if urging him to keep moving. Without hesitation, Cam began leading them onward.

On any other day, Rania might have been captivated by the sight—curious to see how many wolves had been silently following them through the forest, hidden behind the thick foliage. But today was different. The weight of their situation pressed heavily on her.

“We need to keep going,” Cam finally said, his voice steady as he regained control of his nerves. “We have to reach safety.”

The path to Alpha Letto’s pack was rugged and unforgiving, especially for Rania, who was pregnant and quickly running out of breath. She had asked for a break several times already, each pause drawing out their journey and leaving her feeling guilty for slowing them down.

“Maybe you should go ahead alone,” Rania suggested quietly, desperate to ease the burden on the others. “You’ll get there faster and can send help.”

“There’s no way we’re leaving you behind,” Karin said firmly, brushing aside the notes Rania had been using to communicate. “Stop worrying about it.” She took Rania’s hand gently and began a thorough check of her condition during their brief rest.

After a few moments, Rania tapped Karin’s arm, silently asking how she was doing. Her heart pounded with anxiety—not just for herself, but for the baby growing inside her. Though she feared the worst, she hoped for some reassurance.

“You’re okay,” Karin replied softly, her voice carrying a sadness that Rania couldn’t ignore. Something was being left unsaid.

Rania gripped Karin’s hand tightly, searching her eyes for answers. But Karin looked away, confirming Rania’s worst fears. Still, they couldn’t discuss it openly—Cam was nearby, and this was no time for private conversations.

So Rania swallowed her questions, biting back the urge to press for the truth. Aside from Karin, no one else knew about her pregnancy. It was too risky, especially since they had no intention of keeping the child. If anyone found out, it would only complicate matters further.

“Let’s move,” Cam urged again, though he looked troubled. He hated pushing them further when Rania appeared so pale and exhausted, but their safety depended on it.

—

“Come on,” Karin said, grimacing as she helped Rania to her feet. The wild wolves continued to follow them closely, almost as if they were guarding the group.

Rania climbed onto Cam’s back, mouthing a quiet apology. He just laughed. “You’re no burden, my queen. It’s an honor and my duty to protect you. This is the kind of story I’ll tell my children and grandchildren about my first mission.”

Despite the dire circumstances, Cam’s spirit remained unbroken. They moved on, the pace quicker now, and Cam’s stamina was impressive—he didn’t even break a sweat carrying her for so long.

“My training is tougher than this, my queen. You’re not heavy at all,” he said cheerfully. They were only half an hour away from Alpha Letto’s pack.

Rania felt grateful for his strength and kindness, but the danger was far from over. Moments later, the wolves’ behavior shifted. They growled in unison, their bodies tensing and shifting into a defensive stance.

Cam quickly set Rania down, and Karin moved closer to them, alert.

“They’ve caught up with us,” Cam said grimly. He could sense the sheer number of wolves surrounding them. There was no way he could fight them all off. No chance.

In that moment, only one option remained to protect the queen.

Then, suddenly, Cam caught a sharp metallic scent in the air—the unmistakable smell of blood.