Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 237

**Chapter 237**

Rania nestled herself into the snug crevice of an ancient tree, seeking refuge from the relentless downpour. To her astonishment, she discovered a tiny wild wolf pup huddled within the shadows. It couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old, its soft fur damp but still radiating a warmth that Rania desperately craved.

She had been observing the playful antics of wolf pups around the hut for months, ever since Maximus had departed for the war. Each day had dragged on, filled with worry and longing, and now, this little creature seemed to embody the very essence of hope amidst her despair.

The pup curled its minuscule body against her, instinctively seeking warmth and comfort. Rania smiled softly, feeling a flicker of companionship in the midst of her solitude. Though the pup was far too small to provide any real warmth, its presence reminded her that she was not entirely alone in this vast, rain-soaked wilderness.

Outside, the three warriors who had escorted her from the pack house were frantically searching for her. They circled the tree several times, oblivious to the small gap that concealed her and the pup from view.

“Where is she?!” one of them exclaimed, his voice laced with desperation. He shifted back into his human form, frustration evident in his posture.

“I don’t know!” the second warrior growled, his tone sharp and irritated. “This rain is ruining my senses! I can’t track her anywhere!”

The third warrior, equally agitated, echoed their concerns. “She can’t be too far! We need to find her!”

With that, they transformed back into their beast forms, their powerful bodies ready to scour the area once more, even as the rain intensified, threatening to morph into a full-blown storm.

Rania had no sense of time as she nestled in the tree, her eyelids growing heavier until she succumbed to sleep. When she awoke, the sound of voices pierced through her drowsiness, instantly sharpening her senses.

“How could you lose her?!” a voice barked, filled with indignation.

The rain had ceased, leaving the ground muddy and slick, providing Rania with the perfect cover. The pup beside her remained blissfully asleep, unaware of the tension brewing just outside their sanctuary.

Rania shifted slightly, her heart racing as she peered through the narrow gap. To her surprise, she recognized the man standing there, even though his back was turned to her. It was Elder Gallant. Alongside him were the three warriors who had originally escorted her, as well as four unfamiliar shifters, their faces shadowed by the dim light.

“She said she was just going to relieve herself! What did you expect me to do? Stand there and watch?” one of the warriors snapped defensively.

But before he could finish his retort, a sudden flash of violence erupted. A hand shot through his chest, crimson blood spraying across Elder Gallant’s face. Rania gasped silently, her heart pounding in her chest as she witnessed the life drain from the warrior’s eyes, his gaze fixed on the distance, unseeing and lifeless.

Elder Gallant flinched at the suddenness of the act but displayed no fear. “Could you manage to do that when I’m not around? I don’t need this blood on my clothes,” he said, annoyance creeping into his voice as he wiped his face clean. “We need to eliminate the scent before Maximus catches wind of it.”

One of the other men sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “You should have killed him right away instead of sneaking around like a coward.”

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