rest stretched out before her, dark and still. But it wasn't the usual night quiet. This silence pressed down, heavy and thick-like the calm

per-fear. Every muscle in her body tightened. She wanted to run, but her feet stay

dark eyes sharp as they scanned the same woods. His usual calm had a fl

an said, voice low and rough. "

pounded so loud she thought he

barely a whisper, cracke

ight. "Too many. And th

fire inside her sparked. These invader

steady even if her hands shook

y didn't leave his eyes. "You can't

unwavering. "I won't sit safe

nsion and something else-something warm and dangerous. H

ght inside her sharper. She felt fragile and fierce all at once. His eyes

quietly, taking her hand. H

e wind like wild hands. Rain started to fall, soft and cold. Selene stumbled once. Dorian caught her instantly,

ed. His voice was low

he breathed, fighting th

hrough the ground. It wasn't the howl of a w

es moved with terrifying speed. Ey

h hitched. "Wh

nched. "Not wolves

he ground shook beneath its heavy steps. Dorian shoved Sele

black as midnight, with jagged teeth that glistened w

She swung at the beast's face, the blade cutting thr

d just in time. The wind from the strike brushed

owerful shove, knocking it off balance. They crashed to

Dorian fought, his muscles tense and precise. The creature growled,

breathing hard but alive

s theirs. But then the forest shifted again. More glowing eyes appeared between th

nd, squeezing so tigh

ped clothes. Selene's lungs burned. Her legs ached, but Dorian's grip kept her stea

deep. Snow crunched beneath their feet. M

his hands firm on her shoulders. His brea

k there," he said

her throat tight. "So

face softened. "You shouldn't be near me

like that, it pulled her closer. The danger and th

gh. It carried all the things they couldn't say with words. Selene melted into him,

is forehead rested against hers.

o believe hi

ugh the silence. Heavy

sharp and wild. "It's not

ed, confused

figure stepped out from the

ght caught

ne g

as K

fa

he though