The forest had fallen quiet.
Only the soft rustling of leaves and the faint, uneven breaths coming from Selena in Ronan's arms disturbed the stillness. The night had grown colder, the stars sharp and distant above them, and the chill in the air crept steadily through their clothes.
A slow wind moved through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. Somewhere far off, an owl called once before the forest sank back into silence.
Ronan knelt carefully on the forest floor and lowered Selena onto a bed of pine needles and moss. Every movement was deliberate, cautious, as if even the smallest shift might hurt her further. Her head rolled slightly to the side, pale strands of hair falling across her face, and her breathing remained shallow and uneven.
Kael crouched nearby, his sharp gaze sweeping through the darkness between the trees. His body was coiled with tension, every muscle ready to react if anything moved.
