, velvety blue. Aurora trailed behind Silas, her boots crunching softly on the pine needles. Her mind ch

e entirely: a sense of wonder. This man, who seemed to carry the weight of the

t rustle of leaves, and the faint howl of a wolf echoed through the trees. Aurora felt the pulse of the forest in

" she finally asked,

golden eyes glowing faintly in the mo

een saying that since we left the

ce her. His expression was serious, h

owned. "T

rs. Rogues who don't follow the rules of

a asked, her hear

s... don't belong here. Your presence disru

ep up her spine. "So, w

ence was an

sooner," Aurora muttered,

voice low. "And I'm keeping you aliv

she couldn't ignore the way her heart fluttered whenever his eyes met hers or the way his

nter stood a cabin, its weathered wood blending seamlessly with the wilderness. Smoke

e?" Aurora asked, eyein

eplied, pushing the do

rde

e interior was simple yet cozy, with a small fireplace, a wooden table, and a bed tucked into the

st witch too?" she asked,

t hint of amusement she'd seen from

getting the better of her. "So, are you going to explain

is golden eyes watching her inte

she said, me

r than any map, any record. It's a sanctuary, a place where the natural w

istened, her fascination grow

s, rogues, even other predators. This place is alive, Aurora.

re disrupts it,"

ur presence has already stirred the forest. Th

t let them find me? If I'm such a p

flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Because you're not like

, a low growl rumbled from outside the cabin. Her blo

d. "Stay here," he ordered

m, her heart pounding. "You c

is golden eyes blazing

ut

he said firmly

d him. She stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Then, unable to ignore the

oo quick and too large to be anything natural. Aurora's breath caught as she saw t

lm but ready. The air around him seemed to hum with e

e transformed. His body elongated, muscles rippling as thick fur sprouted across his skin. His golden eyes

gues l

breathless. His claws tore through their ranks, his movements graceful

w she should stay hidden, but she couldn't stand by and do nothing. Taking a deep

e square in the chest. It let out a pained screec

. For a split second, she thought she saw a flicker of ange

uted, his voice a d

t pounded with adrenaline a

he silvery sheen of the moonlight. Despite the chaos, Aurora felt a stra

t once more. Silas stood in the center of the grove, his chest heaving, his fur matted wit

hands trembling. "Are you okay?" she a

e. "You shouldn't have come out," he said,

eplied, her eyes searching his. "Y

time, he allowed himself to smile fully

she held his gaze. "And you'r

them palpable. Then, without thinking, Aurora stepped close

d, he leaned into her touch, h

ide," he said softly, h

mething had changed between them somet

hing for certain: her connection to Sila