CHAPTER 8 ā THE DARKEST NIGHT OF RANGER'S LIFE
Rain poured across the valley.
The helicopter circled lower.
Powerful spotlights swept across Carter Farm.
Masked men jumped from black SUVs carrying tranquilizer rifles, nets, and cages.
Thomas shouted,
"Take Emily inside!"
But Ranger stood perfectly still.
His eyes weren't on the men.
They were fixed on the mountain ridge.
Seconds later...
A familiar howl echoed through the storm.
The gray wolf had returned.
This time he wasn't alone.
Dozens of wolves emerged from the forest.
Not charging.
Waiting.
Ranger looked at Thomas.
Then at Emily.
Then back toward the wolves.
Emily dropped to her knees.
"Please don't leave..."
Ranger gently licked her hand one last time.
Then he turned and sprinted into the darkness.
The wolves followed.
The traffickers chased after them.
Exactly as Ranger intended.
Miles from the farm, deep inside Blackstone Canyon, Ranger stopped.
The canyon was narrow.
Only one vehicle could enter at a time.
The traffickers rushed in without thinking.
Then the wolves appeared above them.
Huge rocks crashed onto the trail.
Trees blocked the entrance.
The criminals were trapped.
But one desperate hunter climbed onto a cliff overlooking Ranger.
He loaded a high-powered rifle.
Took aim.
And fired.
The gunshot echoed across the mountains.
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Ranger collapsed.
The gray wolf let out a heartbreaking howl that seemed to shake the entire forest.
