e creek's icy waters, but my mind was far from the task. Each splash against the stone felt like a half-hearted attempt to tether myse

ha D

putation was legendary, his dominance unyielding. Yet, none of that was what unsettled me. It wasn't his power or his fabled conquests-it was the way he had looked at me. Thos

s like him didn't bother with the likes of me. I was nothing-less than a ghost in my

within. I tried to lose myself in the rhythm of scrubbing, but every movement felt heavy. My

from Kieran's wrath," came

ouched beside me, her sharp features softened by a rare smile. Her presence was lik

aid defensively, though my

ng. Everyone felt the tension last night. Kieran's anger practically vi

n the icy water. "I don't kn

nudged me, her tone edged with curiosity. "What

e fog. I glanced around, ensuring no one else was nearby. The forest se

tted quietly, my voice barely

sion flickering between shock a

memory of his words was both a balm and a wound. "And then he

need to be careful. If Kieran even suspects you're involved with Dane in a

years under Kieran's oppressive rule, my spirit beaten down by his wrath. The idea of

rough the air, breakin

my heart racing as

here

low, deliberate, each step exuding raw power. The sunlight dappled his dark hair and

a soft growl that sent shiv

tightly that her nails bit into my skin. "What is

replied, though

xpression unreadable yet commanding. "Leav

ored my own, but I gave her a small nod. She cast one last worried glanc

n we we

o find," Dane said

ooking," I replied, my vo

ile, though his gaze never wavered. "You intri

his attention both thrilling and

ious. His gaze softened, though the intensity in his e

dgeting with the edge of my tuni

see the fire in you, no matter how much Kieran tries to snuff

. No one had ever looked at me like that bef

said, though the words fe

voice dropping to a low rumb

ldn't name. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to flee, bu

mth of his touch was disarming, melting the icy barriers I had so carefully

dam

urged to the surface. I turned away, ashamed of my vulnerability,

id, his voice stea

ing under the weight of my emotions. "

s grip steadying me. "Surviving against all odds

nd for the first time in years, I felt seen-not

said, though the words

lding. "But you deserve freedom. And I ca

d uncertainty. I searched his gaze for a trace of de

to fight," I admit

" he said, stepping

on and respect. But beneath the predator's gaze, I saw somet

d Kieran's grasp. A life where I wasn't constantly looking o

I said finally, my voic

, his expression unreadable but his eyes glea

And as his figure disappeared into the shadows, I realized

ears, hope didn't feel