EIRA POV
As I slowly opened my eyes, confusion washed over me. Where am I? I was in a car—how did I end up here?
Suddenly, memories rushed back, hitting me like a storm. What happened to me? Oh God, why does this always happen to me?
The image of the wolves loomed in my mind. How could they be so enormous? And how had Adrain managed to scare them away?
I turned my head to the left. Adrain's face was set, eyes locked on the road, his expression deadly serious.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low, eyes never leaving the road.
"Hm… y-yes."
"Then tell me—why did you run out of my place?" His tone was sharp, demanding.
Was he really asking me that? Who even lives in a place like that, hidden in the jungle? Was he out of his mind?
"Sorry! I didn't know it was you. Did I hurt your feelings?" I snapped back, sarcasm dripping from my words.
"You won't interfere in Andy's case." His tone was cold, final, leaving no space for argument.
I fell silent as he pulled the car to a stop and turned fully toward me.
"Say yes, Eira." His voice was firm, commanding, unyielding.
I tried not to let the fear show. "Why? Have you… abducted her? Captured her? Did you kill her? Is she—dead—"
His voice cut me off, low and dangerous, gritted through his teeth as his eyes bore into mine like a blade. "Next time, don't you ever say she is dead. Otherwise—I will kill you."
A chill tore through me. My chest tightened under the sheer intensity of his gaze. But then, slowly, his expression softened as he caught the fear in my eyes.
"She's like a sister to me," he said at last, his voice steady, calmer. "I won't let anything happen to her. Trust me. Just… don't go to the cops."
My throat closed. I didn't know what to say. My gaze dropped to my lap as he started driving again. She means that much to him?
But then—why had he come through her window? Who were the people guarding her door?
Oh God, this was all too confusing. And yet… for some reason, I believed him.
He pulled me from my thoughts. "Where are you lost?"
"Why don't you want me to go to the cops? They could help you!"
"Because your life would be at risk." His words were cold, heavy. After a pause, he added, quieter, "And hers too. I won't put her in danger."
His words struck deep. He actually cared—about both of us. And for some reason, that hurt.
"I won't go to the cops," I whispered.
"I have one more question," he said.
"What?"
"How did you know you were going to the cops?"
I froze. "How—"
He gave a dark chuckle. "I have my resources. Any other questions?"
"Yes. How did you make the wolves run away?"
His expression emptied, emotionless. The silence dragged, heavy, suffocating.
"Have we arrived?" I asked, just to break it.
But I pressed again. "You still didn't answer my question."
No response. Instead, he stepped out of the car and came around to my side.
I opened the door and tried to step down, but the second my foot touched the ground, white-hot pain shot up my leg. I gasped, almost collapsing—
An arm slid around my waist, steady, unyielding. He lifted me effortlessly before I could fall.
I blinked up. Adrain.
For a heartbeat, the world vanished. Just him. His arms holding me, his eyes locking with mine. My chest tightened, my pulse raced, the air thick between us.
Then, just as quickly, he looked away, scooping me into his arms as if I weighed nothing.
"Can't you be more careful? You would have hurt yourself," he muttered, frustration simmering in his voice.
"As if you care," I whispered back bitterly.
His lips curled into something sharp. "I don't care about you. I just don't want to break you so easily."
The words cut, but at the same time, a dangerous warmth spread through me in his hold. His scent—aged books, wild rain, forest air—wrapped around me, unsettling and intoxicating.
He carried me to my room and laid me on the bed with surprising gentleness. Without a word, he turned and walked out.
Rude. Arrogant. Infuriating.
And yet, as the door clicked shut, my chest ached with something I couldn't explain.
I already missed him.