The forest was eerily quiet now, the air thick with tension. The remnants of the storm still lingered in the air, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Elaina stood in the middle of it all, trying to process what had just happened. Her thoughts raced, but the only thing she could focus on was Valen. His words kept echoing in her mind, his pain and anger reverberating through her chest.
Lucien stayed close, his presence like an anchor, yet his silence only added to the weight of the moment. He hadn't spoken a word since Valen's departure. Kade, ever the restless one, was pacing, his usual cocky demeanor now replaced with a sharp edge of concern.
"You okay, princess?" Kade's voice was softer than usual, his eyes scanning the surrounding woods for any signs of danger.
Elaina nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure. "Yeah... just... I don't know what to feel right now."
Lucien finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "We can't keep running from this, Elaina. Valen is a threat. But he's also... something else. You need to decide what you want before it's too late."
His words hit harder than she expected. She turned to face him, meeting his eyes, and for the first time, she saw the vulnerability there. Lucien wasn't just protecting her from Valen; he was protecting her from herself, too. And it was clear that this was no longer just about her safety. It was about something deeper—something neither of them were ready to face.
Elaina opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself. What could she say? That she didn't want to hurt anyone? That she didn't want to be the cause of a battle between two men who seemed to want her more than anything else in the world? It felt selfish to even think about it.
"You're thinking too much," Kade interrupted, his voice a little too loud to break the silence. "Just breathe, Elaina. You've got us. That's what matters. Don't overcomplicate things."
Lucien glared at him, but Kade shrugged nonchalantly.
"Kade's right, though," Elaina whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm scared. Scared of what's coming next. Scared of what I feel."
Lucien's eyes softened as he took a step toward her. "You don't have to do this alone. We'll face whatever comes together."
Elaina looked up at him, her heart racing. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust that, together, they could overcome whatever was waiting on the other side. But the uncertainty gnawed at her. Valen's words had pierced through her defenses in ways she hadn't expected. What if Valen was right? What if Lucien wasn't the answer? What if she wasn't meant to be with anyone at all?
Her mind whirled, the weight of her emotions threatening to drown her.
Suddenly, a distant howl broke the silence, sending a chill down Elaina's spine. The sound was haunting, like a warning. A reminder that the world they were living in was far from normal.
Lucien tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger. "We need to move," he said, his voice urgent. "It's not over. Not by a long shot."
Kade raised an eyebrow. "You mean, that wasn't just Valen trying to make us all feel like crap? There's more?"
Lucien didn't answer. Instead, he motioned for Elaina to follow him. "Stay close."
They continued through the dense woods, each step heavy with the knowledge that they were being hunted. Elaina's breath came in quick gasps, her senses on edge. The howl had been too close. Valen wasn't done with them, and neither were the forces he controlled.
"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up," Elaina muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else. "Every step we take, every move we make, it's like we're running in circles."
Lucien's voice came low and reassuring. "We're not running, Elaina. We're surviving. And that's what matters."
She nodded, though it was clear her doubts hadn't completely disappeared.
Kade, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. "Yeah, we're just one step away from being the most badass team this forest has ever seen. Watch out, wolves. Elaina's coming for you with some serious moves."
Lucien shot him a sharp look. "Kade."
Elaina couldn't help but smile, a small laugh escaping her lips. It was fleeting, but it was something. A reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was light.
"Thanks," she murmured to Kade, grateful for the small relief.
But the smile quickly faded as the sounds of movement ahead reached their ears. They weren't alone. And whoever it was, they weren't waiting to be found.
Lucien motioned for Elaina to stay behind him, and she complied without a second thought.
The trees parted to reveal a figure stepping out from the shadows. His silhouette was dark and imposing, his eyes glowing with an eerie yellow light.
Valen.
Elaina's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped she wouldn't see him again so soon.
"Did you really think I would just walk away?" Valen's voice cut through the tension like a blade, dark and cold. "You can't escape what's coming. I won't let you."
Elaina's pulse raced. "What do you want, Valen?"
He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "I want you to stop fighting this, Elaina. Stop fighting me." His gaze flickered to Lucien, his words full of contempt. "And I want him gone."
Lucien's hand tightened around the dagger at his side. "Not happening."
Kade was already moving to flank Valen, his usual cocky grin replaced with a deadly seriousness. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of this. Time to finish this, don't you think?"
Valen's eyes flickered to Kade, then back to Elaina, a smile curling at the corners of his lips. "It'll be over soon, Elaina. You'll see."
The tension between them was palpable, like a storm about to break. Elaina's heart hammered in her chest. She had a choice to make, but she didn't know if she could make it in time.