The warmth of the fire's glow lingered on Elara's skin long after she awoke. For a moment she sat still, listening—really listening. The rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of insects, and underneath it all… a quiet rhythm of breathing.
Not hers.
She lifted her head.
Riven sat near the cave entrance, his back to her, sharpening a stone blade with long, controlled movements. His shoulders rose and fell steadily, the curves of muscle outlined by the dim morning light.
He hadn't noticed she was awake.
Or maybe he had—he just didn't react.
Elara pushed herself up slowly. Her body protested, soreness clinging to her limbs like wet cloth. She took in a slow breath.
"Riven?" she called softly.
The blade paused mid-stroke.
Riven turned his head slightly—not fully, just enough for her to see the edge of his profile. His eyes flicked toward her, then back to the forest beyond the cave mouth.
Watching. Listening.
Guarding.
Elara swallowed.
"Did you sleep?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he tapped his ear lightly, then pointed to the forest.
He was listening all night.
"For danger?" she asked quietly.
This time he nodded once.
A knot tightened in her chest. "Thank you."
Riven stiffened, almost confused by the gratitude, then resumed sharpening the blade. Each scrape of stone against stone echoed like a heartbeat.
Elara moved closer to him, sitting a cautious distance away. "Is something out there?"
Riven paused again. Slowly, he dragged his finger across the ground, drawing a line… then another line parallel to it… then two claw-like marks crossing both lines.
Her breath hitched.
"That's… tracks?"
He nodded.
"Wolf?" she guessed.
Riven shook his head once—firmly.
Elara's skin prickled. Larger than a wolf? More dangerous?
Before she could ask more, Riven reached beside him and picked up a small object. When he turned to her, he extended his hand, revealing a woven leaf cup filled with clear dew water.
Her chest warmed.
"For me?"
He nodded, eyes lowering in a shy, almost unsure way.
She accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Riven."
He watched her drink, his throat working in a soft swallow as if he needed to remind himself to breathe.
Elara lowered the cup. "Are you always like this? Taking care of strangers?"
Riven frowned slightly, then shook his head.
Her heart skipped.
"So why me?"
He hesitated—a long pause, his eyes searching her face. Then—
He touched his chest lightly.
Then touched hers.
Not inappropriate—gentle. Meaningful.
Elara's breath trembled.
"You feel… connected?" she whispered.
His eyes softened.
Before the moment could deepen, a sudden noise cracked through the trees—sharp, fast, like a branch snapping under something heavy.
Riven's head jerked up instantly.
He rose to his feet in one fluid motion and pressed a hand to Elara's shoulder, guiding her behind him.
"Stay," he murmured.
The word was clearer this time—almost steady.
Elara nodded, pulse racing.
Riven moved to the cave entrance, crouched, staring into the shifting shadows. His entire body transformed—still, silent, lethal.
Another sound.
Closer.
Elara clutched the woven leaf cup, heart pounding in her throat. She knew Riven was dangerous—but she had never seen him like this. Wild. Primal. Ready to become whatever he needed to protect her.
The bushes shuddered.
Riven tensed, blade raised—
A figure burst through the foliage.
Not an animal.
A man.
Bleeding.
Terrified.
His clothes were torn, mud smeared across his face. He stumbled toward the cave before collapsing onto the ground.
Elara gasped. "Oh god—"
Riven grabbed her wrist before she could rush forward. His grip was firm, warning.
The stranger lifted his head. His eyes were wild with panic.
"Help… please…" he choked. "It's coming. It's coming!"
Elara froze. "What's coming?"
The man's voice broke. "That thing—hunting—killing—"
Riven's blade pressed against the ground, muscles locked. His jaw tightened.
He knew exactly what the man meant.
Elara's breath trembled.
The forest was no longer just dangerous.
It was alive.
And something inside it was hunting.