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“Right as rain.” He winked.

North made a scoffing sound. “He nearly died. He had broken ribs and internal injuries. I had to give him an emergency dose of nano-meds. He should be resting.”

“Tattletale,” Marc said.

“He insisted on coming,” North added. “He’s pumped full of painkillers and stimulants. When he crashes, he’ll go down hard.”

He’d come for me. I hadn’t left him, and he wouldn’t leave me. I met Marc’s gaze and nodded. He nodded back. “How about we all get out of here?”

“I’ll call in Colbie,” Zeke murmured.

A howl filled the air.

We all swiveled and looked at the trees.

“I injured the canine monster, but it got away,” Kai said. “It’s hurt.”

There was another howl. Then another answering one coming from a different direction. A second later, there was an entire chorus of howls.

Greer gasped, and my squad mates all stiffened.

“That’s not good,” Marc said.

“I need some weapons,” I said. “The monsters tossed mine in the water. And someone give Greer a blaster.”

Kai handed me a carbine. “Brought a spare for you.”

I took it and checked it over as Marc gave Greer his blaster. North handed me a combat knife. I strapped it to my thigh.

More howls echoed through the trees.

“We don’t have time to wait for Colbie.” I gripped the carbine. “We need to move.Now.”

The men nodded.

“Form up and keep Greer in the middle.” I touched her face. “You just need to focus on keeping up.”

She swallowed. “I can do that.”

I turned to face the trees. “Run.”

Greer

I was running as fastas I could, Hunter Squad all around me. I swallowed. The night was filled with the haunting sounds of howls and excited yips.

The monster dogs were hunting us.

I focused on keeping up my speed. My lungs were already burning, as were the muscles in my legs. I didn’t want to slowJameson and the others down more than I already was. I knew they weren’t running as fast as they could.

I sucked in air and focused on the forest ahead. It was so dark, and the only illumination came from small lights attached to the team’s shoulders. Jameson had no armor on, but his face was etched with grim lines of determination.

Suddenly, carbine fire broke out behind me.

“Keep moving,” Kai barked as he fired into the trees behind us.

God. The dogs sounded close.

There was a rush of something in the dark to the right. All of a sudden, a huge dog leaped through the air. Its red gaze was locked on me.