The rain hammered down in relentless sheets, turning the forest into a slipping, shifting mess of mud and water. The tall, twisted trees around us seemed to lean in closer, their branches dripping and creaking under the weight of the storm. Every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves sounded deafening, amplified by the storm’s fury. It was chaos—nature’s own alarm, but it worked in our favor, masking most of our movements in the deafening rain.My boots squished fiercely into the muddy earth, each step a delicate balance of silence and caution. I kept low, muscles tense, heart pounding in my chest like a drum. Carolina was behind me, her breath shallow, eyes flickering between the shadows and the darkened path ahead. Her grip on her coat was white-knuckled, trembling from the cold and something else—fear, maybe. Or maybe just the weight of what we were about to do.The forest around us was alive with noise—rain smashing into leaves, wind whistling through the branches, distant calls of
Avery’s POVThe question hung in the air, fragile yet urgent. My voice barely above a whisper, I looked at Zane, searching his face for answers. He hesitated for a moment, then exhaled slowly, his eyes clouded with concern. “I’ve been talking to the others. Carolina’s not been found for now. But the situation is still unstable. The enemy’s movements are unpredictable, and they’re closing in on her location.”A flicker of relief washed over me, tempered by the weight of reality. “So she’s out of immediate danger?”Zane nodded. “For the moment. But we can’t afford to let our guard down. They’re relentless, and if they find her again, it could be worse than before.”I clenched my fists, feeling the surge of protective instinct. “Then we have to do everything we can to keep her safe. I want to help. I can’t just sit here and wait.”He reached out, gently placing his hand over mine. “Avery, your body is still fragile, and I know you’re determined. But right now, the best thing you can do
Craig’s pov The silence between us stretched thick and heavy, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The dim glow of the moon outside filtered through the cracked window, casting long shadows across the surroundings.Carolina’s grip on my arm tightened as she looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. “Are you sure about this?” she asked softly, her voice trembling just enough to betray her concern. “You’ve been running from this for so long. What makes you think you can just walk back in and fix everything now?”I looked away for a moment, feeling the weight of her words. “Because I can’t live with the guilt anymore,” I admitted quietly. “Avery deserves to know the truth. I owe her that much. And I owe myself some peace.”She shook her head, her brow furrowing. “But Zane… He’s dangerous, Craig. You know that. You’re risking everything—your life, our future—on a gamble. What if it goes wrong?”I took a breath, steadying myself. “I’ve thought about that. Believe me. But hiding isn’t livi
Avery’s POV – The Next ChapterThe world shifted suddenly, darkness swirling at the edges of my vision. A sharp dizziness gripped me, and before I could catch myself, I collapsed onto the wooden floor, the coldness seeping into my skin. My senses faded into a dull hum, and then—nothing. When I awoke, the sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of activity around me pulled me back from the void. My eyelids fluttered open slowly, and I blinked against the bright light. Confusion clouded my mind, but I recognized the familiar contours of the hospital wing. The faint scent of herbs and linen comforted me, even as my body ached from exhaustion.A quick glance revealed Zane standing by the window, his broad shoulders tense and rigid. His back was to me, but I could see the way his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, as if fighting the urge to pace. His jaw was tight, and I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing in the room.“Zane,” I rasped softly, voice weak but deter
Craig's POV "I cannot let this happen another day; I have to face up to my past, even if that means facing them." I stood up and clenched my jaw. Carolina stared at me in surprise, her eyes wide. "What are you talking about? You know how dangerous that is out there." She scrambled up and yanked my hand, a sense of desperation in the way she spoke. "No, I have made up my mind, Carolina. I have to do what is right. Avery never deserved this, and I should have faced Zane head-on. I will not sit by and continue to feel like a coward." I scrunched my fists tightly, and my knuckles almost turned white. I was more sure than I had ever been before. This was it now. My entire life had been nothing but a lie, and it was time to set things right. Once and for all. "It is far too dangerous; he will kill you." Carolina started to panic, her eyes filled with tears. I sighed and shook my head. I knew that this would be hard for her to accept. But my mind was already made up. I could feel the
Avery’s POV The room suddenly felt colder, the weight of Zane’s words and actions pressing down on me like a heavy storm cloud. My fists clenched at my sides, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my heart pounded fiercely with a mix of anger and helplessness.I looked down at my belly, feeling the subtle flutter of life inside. This little one—a symbol of hope and new beginnings—deserved more than to be caught in the middle of our chaos. I knew Zane’s concern came from a place of fierce love, but his protectiveness felt like a barrier between us, one I refused to accept.The door clicked softly as it closed fully behind him, leaving me alone in the quiet of the room. I let out a shaky sigh and pressed my palm against my stomach, as if to reassure the tiny life inside me. “I won’t let fear control us,” I whispered softly. “We’ll find her, Zane. I promise.”Despite the ache in my chest, I knew I couldn’t just sit here and wait. If