Selene's POV ~
Every step felt like dragging chains through my own chest. My legs trembled, heavy as stone, and each breath clawed out of me as if the air itself wanted me to stop.
No… I can't fall here. Not now. Not when someone else could come and drag me from here. Not when I've already been cornered too much tonight.
Her mate's howl still echoed inside her ribs, raw and desperate. It clung to her like smoke, and the bond tore at her from within, demanding she turn back. But she refused. Because she couldn't afford to look back, she didn't trust much herself.
Her steps were clumsy, her body swaying, and behind her Luca's massive wolf form lay crumpled into the earth, unconscious. The sight should have filled her with triumph. Instead, it hollowed her out. She felt like she had left half of herself in the dirt with him.
Her vision blurred. The forest spun. Am I even walking? Or am I just… falling forward?
