Max awoke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the trees, the fire from the previous night reduced to smoldering embers. Luna stirred beside him, stretching out her legs and yawning wide, her bright eyes meeting his. She was ready for another day of adventure, and so was Max.

  After packing up camp, they set off early, the crisp morning air filling Max’s lungs. Every breath felt invigorating, as if the mountain itself was giving him energy. The trail today was steeper than the day before, winding its way through dense forest and rocky inclines. Max could feel the altitude as the air grew thinner, but the climb was exhilarating. The higher they went, the more alive he felt.

  Luna, as always, was one step ahead, her nose to the ground, her ears perked up at every sound. Max could tell she was in her element. Her ancestors had thrived in conditions like these—her body was built for the cold, her instincts sharpened by generations of survival in harsh climates. She moved with a grace that Max could only admire.

  After a few hours, they emerged from the forest onto an exposed ridge. The view that greeted them was breathtaking. Below, the valley stretched out in shades of green and brown, dotted with trees and the glimmer of a distant river. Above, the mountain peaks rose, dusted with snow, their jagged forms cutting into the sky.

  Max paused to take it all in. He pulled out his water bottle and took a long drink, the cold liquid soothing his dry throat. Luna sat beside him, her head high, her gaze fixed on the horizon. It was moments like this that made all the hard work worth it—the solitude, the quiet majesty of nature, the feeling of being a small part of something so vast and powerful.

  “We’re just getting started, girl,” Max said, patting Luna’s head. “The best is yet to come.”

  They continued along the ridge, the path narrowing as they climbed higher. Max’s muscles burned with the effort, but he welcomed the pain. It was a reminder that he was alive, that he was pushing himself to his limits. The trail became more treacherous as they went, with loose rocks underfoot and a sheer drop to the side that made Max’s heart race if he looked down for too long.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Luna navigated the path with ease, her paws finding purchase on the uneven terrain. Max followed carefully, his boots crunching on the gravelly surface. He could feel the wind picking up, tugging at his clothes, carrying with it the scent of pine and fresh mountain air.

  By midday, they reached a small plateau—a perfect spot for lunch. Max dropped his pack and stretched out, feeling the tension in his shoulders release. Luna sniffed around, always on alert, before settling beside him. He pulled out a protein bar and shared a piece with her, watching as she eagerly devoured it.

  From their vantage point, they could see miles in every direction. The mountains seemed endless, one peak after another, disappearing into the horizon. Max felt a deep sense of peace here, away from the noise and stress of the world below. Up here, it was just him, Luna, and the wilderness.

  But as peaceful as it was, Max knew they couldn’t afford to be careless. The higher they climbed, the more unpredictable the weather could become, and the more dangerous the terrain would get. He glanced at the map, tracing the route to Crystal Lake, their next major stop. It was still a few days away, and the path ahead would take them through some of the most rugged sections of the trail.

  “Ready to keep going?” Max asked, standing up and shouldering his pack. Luna barked in response, her tail wagging. She was always ready.

  As they set off again, the clouds began to roll in, dark and heavy, signaling an impending storm. Max quickened his pace, his eyes scanning the landscape for shelter. The trail wound its way into a narrow canyon, the walls rising steeply on either side. Max could feel the pressure in the air change—the storm was coming, and they needed to find cover fast.

  Luna suddenly stopped, her ears twitching. Max followed her gaze and saw a small cave nestled in the rock face ahead. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to keep them safe from the storm. He urged Luna forward, and they made their way to the cave just as the first drops of rain began to fall.

  Inside, Max dropped his pack and shook off his jacket, the sound of rain pounding against the rocks outside. Luna shook her fur, droplets flying everywhere, before lying down on the dry ground.

  “Looks like we’re going to be here for a while,” Max said, sitting down beside her. He reached into his pack and pulled out a small camping stove. If they were stuck, they might as well make the most of it.

  As the storm raged outside, Max brewed a cup of coffee, the warmth spreading through his hands as he held the mug close. Luna rested her head on his leg, her eyes half-closed, content to be by his side.

  “We’re doing great, girl,” Max whispered, stroking her fur. “We’ve got this.”

  The rain continued to pour, but inside the cave, Max and Luna were warm, safe, and ready for whatever the mountains had in store for them next.