loose stones. Every step was a struggle. Gavin's breathing was ragged, his face pale and slick with s

, its trunk wider than a house. Instead of leaves, it bore clusters of fis

He slumped against the trunk, slid

tree herself, her own legs shaking. She was exhaus

t the fruit. Un

t swept over the tree. D

ity: 3.2 times standard post-war energy

then back at the data. A fruit that was three times more potent than the e

heavy fruits. They were warm to the

ne to Gavin.

it Fruit," he said. "They are rare. Usually, only the hunting

and juicy, bursting with a sweet, tangy flavor that immediately sent a wave of warmth

took a hesitant bite. His eyes widene

and gently probed his injured leg

, deep

on, necrotic venom. Standard medical intervention ineffective. Re

an I thought."

t was meant to be," he said bitterly. "It wasn't just Capr

d up. "Your

When Caprice and I were contracted, it pushed him over the edge. They set a trap for me in the hunting grounds. They l

dying, Caprice broke our contract and went to him. She sai

It wasn't just betrayal; it was calculated

. They thought I would be cast out, a beggar. They didn't expect me

situation hung heavy in the air between the

t have a way to help it. But I need

quickly faded into skepticism. "The healers s

rlie said. "And I don'

ouldn't. Not yet. But the s

ished her fruit and wiped her hands on her p

iles were compatible. I never really knew her. Not until the rut. Not until I realized she had bee

n her spine. Long-term ment

he was dosing you, and you were dependent... th

ce dropping to a shameful, pained whisper. "And I... I never actually... bonded with her. She always made excuses. She never allowed the bond to complete. So

in, but it added a layer of tragedy to it. He hadn't been a monster taking what he

learing her throat. "We need to

g the tree for support. Karlie moved to his side, slipping her arm around his wa

n the plants around her. Every few feet, another "high-value" species p

g rapidly as if reading something invisible, and then a look of excitement or deep thought w

n began to dip. Ahead, the land had been clea

er, his expression serious. "Whatever happens in th

time since she woke up in this nightmare, she felt a fl

boundary line, into the