Seeing that, everyone rushed to pull me back.

"Priscilla Jensen!" one yelled. "Don't push your luck! Kimberly stayed up the whole night making these for us. Look! Her hands are covered in cuts!"

"And now you're accusing her of setting you up? Fabian had merely spoken up for what was right, and you attacked him out of jealousy! How can you be so cruel?"

I realized then that no matter what I said, none of them would take my side. Even with my bloody wound laid bare before their eyes, I knew it was pointless to say another word.

I looked at the good luck charms dangling from their backpacks, and a cold dread ran through me.

The sky had darkened. If I kept following them, I'd end up attacked by the wolves, too. By then, there would be no way out.

Survival came first. I couldn't be bothered to argue with them, so I turned to leave.

But Fabian had already gotten to his feet. In the next second, he yanked me by the collar. "Priscilla, do you think you can frame Kim and just walk away?"

I struggled to break free, but he was built like a brute and towered over me by almost a foot. There was no way I could leave.

Defeated, I shot back, "I warned her this morning not to give me her charm, but she did it anyway. Because of it, I ended up badly hurt. I didn't even report her for intentional harm. That was me showing her more mercy than she deserved."

Fabian's temper flared at once. "Kimberly gave you that charm out of kindness, and you threw it back in her face! You truly don't know what's good for you, huh? The climb is hard enough, yet you keep harassing and provoking her!"

I suppressed my anger, refusing to argue with him.

But at some point, Fabian had pulled a wooden stick from his backpack and pointed it at me. "You'd better apologize to Kimberly right now, or I can't promise how hard this is going to land on you."

I stared at him in disbelief. "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize to her?"

Fabian's expression darkened further as he closed in. He warned, "If you don't apologize, I won't be holding back. Think hard about what's coming."

As the light faded, panic knotted in my chest. I had no choice but to swallow my pride, turn to Kimberly, and reluctantly mutter, "I'm sorry."

Kimberly looked at me with a smirk, her eyes dripping with mockery. "Your voice is so soft, Pris. It sounds like you're still holding a grudge. Maybe I should be the one apologizing to you."

"Kimberly, this isn't your fault. You don't owe this ungrateful woman an apology," Fabian quickly reassured her.

Then, he turned to me, snarling, "Say it like you mean it! Get down and grovel for her forgiveness!"

Forcing down my humiliation, I sank to my knees, locking my eyes on Kimberly. "I'm sorry, Kimberly. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than a chorus of howls echoed through the mountains. My heart slammed in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to run.

Right then, Fabian finally let go. With a smug smile, he said, "Priscilla, I won't let you off so easily the next time you pull something like this again."

I didn't even bother to respond. Instead, I grabbed my backpack and bolted.

I ran along the trails I remembered, scrambling over ridges without daring to stop.

Meanwhile, the ground began to tremble beneath me. I knew that a whole pack of wolves was on the move, charging straight toward the group.