The night wrapped the village in silence, yet Elara's heart refused to rest. She stood at her window, staring at the line of trees glowing faintly under the silver moon. The forest had always frightened others, but for her it was temptation. Something inside those shadows whispered her name, promising more than the safe, quiet life she had been taught to accept.
She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and slipped outside, each step a secret, each breath a rebellion. The air was cool and fragrant with pine, the kind that made her skin prickle with life. The moment she reached the forest's edge, the pull deepened, like invisible hands guiding her forward.
Then she saw him.
He stood between the trees as though the night itself had shaped him tall, broad, his dark hair wild against the moonlight. His eyes, an amber glow, locked onto hers and held her still. It should have scared her. Instead, heat rushed through her, curling low in her stomach. He wasn't just watching her he was devouring her with his gaze.
Elara's breath trembled. She should have looked away, yet she didn't. She felt the strange, dangerous thrill of being desired, even though not a word had been spoken.
"Who are you?" she asked at last, her voice softer than she intended, almost an invitation.
The man tilted his head, lips curving faintly, though not quite a smile. His voice, when it came, was deep and rough, brushing over her skin like a caress.
"Someone you should not have found."
The words should have been a warning, but the way his eyes lingered on her lips told a different story. Elara felt warmth spread through her chest, a flush of awareness that she had never felt before. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it.
"You don't frighten me," she whispered.
For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze surprise, hunger, restraint. He stepped forward, and she caught the scent of him: pine, smoke, and something wild, untamed. The closeness made her breath catch.
"You should fear me," he murmured, his voice rougher now, like it cost him something to say the words.
But he didn't turn away. His hand lifted, not quite touching her, his fingers hovering so close she swore she could feel the heat of his skin. The space between them hummed with unspoken promise, heavy and intoxicating.
And then, as suddenly as he had appeared, he melted back into the forest, leaving Elara trembling under the moonlight. Her body still buzzed with the memory of his nearness, her lips tingling as though they had almost been kissed.
Something had awoken in her that night, something she knew she could never put back to sleep