Chapter 4

~HAZEL~

"I won't be long," he assures me, his eyes briefly meeting mine before he turns and steps deeper into the woods. He doesn't give me another chance to stop him, disappearing into the shadows as the sounds of his heavy footsteps fade.

Since yesterday, a series of unsettling events had unfolded, each more disturbing than the last, making our situation feel even more hopeless. The ominous, shadowy woods surrounding us seemed to stretch endlessly, their twisted branches like silent keepers watching our every move. I couldn't help but ponder on the possibilities of what dangers might lie ahead on our third day stranded in these awful woods, where every rustle and snap of a twig heightened my anxiety.

Hugging myself tightly, I yearned for the warmth and safety of home—a stark contrast to the cold, untamed wilderness around us.

Time was still on our side, but the main rule of the game remained unchanged. Ashton and I had five months to make a crucial decision. If we didn't mate, execution awaited us. Our souls would be handed over to the soul keepers, leaving us utterly powerless.

We had already seen shifters fall victim to this cruel game in the past; they had refused to mate, a deeply depressing outcome quickly followed, and as a consequence, they were harshly treated as outcasts by the soul keepers. Their souls were forcibly extracted, leaving them hollow and broken.

I inwardly shivered at the horrifying thought of such loss. The worst part of it all was knowing that Ariel would constantly be aware of the intricate rules of the game and understand fully what that meant for her mate—how every decision could mean the difference between life and a devastating fate.

The soul keepers were truly cruel for setting up this twisted game, causing heartbreak and havoc in families, tearing apart lives with their malicious manipulations.

I knew that Ashton was fully aware that his mate was watching everything unfold as well, which explained his heightened mood since we arrived. His eyes flickered with guilt and frustration every time he caught my gaze earlier, unwilling to let me see the pain he was feeling inside. It's why he's been so tense, trying to keep his composure.

He hates that she has to witness this suffering—seeing him this vulnerable. Ashton was always someone who fiercely protected his mate, willing to face any danger to keep her safe. He did everything he could to bring a smile to her face, even amid the chaos, because he believed she deserved happiness. She was incredibly lucky to have such a caring partner by her side.

I knew that mates couldn't control their feelings, and most males would do anything for their mate, showing a deep and unwavering devotion. However, Ahston took it to a whole other level of tenderness and protectiveness. He wouldn't even let her walk on the ground if there was a puddle of mud, carefully shielding her from any dirt or harm. He worshipped her, viewing her as the most precious thing in his life, and she was everything to him—his reason for existing and his greatest treasure. I knew that if he lost her because of this stupid game, it would feel like the end of the world for him, shattering his entire sense of happiness and purpose.

I shook that thought out of my head. Ariel would never leave Ashton, she loved him just as much and she knew this situation was completely out of his control.

An hour later, I suddenly hear a faint, almost imperceptible noise nearby, causing my senses to sharpen. I immediately stiffen, my muscles tense with alertness, and I quickly rise from the uneven ground where I had been crouching. If that sound was one of the mysterious beasts rumored to lurk in these woods, I wasn't sure if I would have the strength or skill to defend myself against it on my own. Now I deeply regretted not practicing those battle techniques with my father during his training sessions with our group, wishing I had been more prepared.

I swiftly moved behind a thick tree, its rough bark providing cover, and I gripped a small, curved blade tightly in my hand. It was one of the basic weapons we were issued before entering the treacherous woods of abyss, designed for close combat and survival.

When I hear an increasingly loud noise echoing through the forest, I swiftly position myself to launch a surprise attack on the enemy. As the footsteps get closer, I jump out of my hiding spot and attack the beast.

I gasp in shock as Ashton quickly seizes the gleaming, silver blade, halting it just inches from his neck.

My eyes widened in disbelief, and without thinking, I immediately dropped the weapon to the leaf-covered ground. "Ashton," I whisper, my voice trembling with surprise and relief. "I didn't realize it was you."

He remains silent as he carefully examines the deep, fresh wound on his hand caused by gripping the sharp end of the blade. His brow furrows slightly, but he makes no sound, showing a quiet resilience.

"I am so sorry," I murmur, guilt thick in my voice as I examine the wound. I feel the sting of remorse for not confirming his identity before reacting. "I should have verified that it was you—"

"It's okay," he interrupts gently, offering a reassuring stance. "You did the right thing. When those creatures attack, you don't have the luxury to double-check who your opponent is. You have to fight instinctively, fight back without hesitation."

"It is not okay!" I say in alarm, my voice trembling as I hurriedly take a deeper look at the wound. "You are bleeding!" I point to the crimson blood seeping through the wound.

He shakes it off like it's nothing, leaning against the rough bark of the tree, his face grim and clearly trying to hide the pain. "I couldn't find anything for us to eat," he mutters, eyes scanning the woods once more, frustration etched on his features.

I didn't care about eating right now, not when he was bruised because of me.

"But I was able to find a cave, I remembered it from one of the hunts I saw other shifters do," he informs me, his voice tense with urgency.

"Ashton, can you stop for a moment and think about that wound on your hand?" I demand, as I grab his hand once more.

He frowns, his brows knitting together in confusion. "Why did you do that?" he asks, his eyes searching mine.

"Shh," I whisper softly, moving closer to ensure he can hear me over the rush of adrenaline. I carefully tear a strip from my dress, the silky fabric fraying at the edges, and begin to tie it around the palm of his hand to stem the bleeding. "I don't know exactly what I'm doing, but I think this should help," I say, trying to sound confident despite my uncertainty.

I glance up cautiously, catching his gaze as he watches me with a piercing intensity. The quiet around us is heavy, filled with a tense anticipation that seems to hang in the cool, crisp air. After a few moments of mutual assessment, he finally looks away, breaking eye contact and shifting his focus.

"Let us move to the cave immediately," he commands firmly, his voice steady but urgent as he takes his hand away. "We don't want to be out here when one of those savage beasts is roaming, seeking their next meal."

The distant howls of unseen predators punctuate the silence, heightening the sense of imminent danger and emphasizing his point.

I want to ask him more about his wound but choose to stay quiet, suddenly remembering that we had eyes on us.

What happened just now didn't feel normal to me, as if an unspoken tension hung in the air. We've never gazed into each other's eyes before, and this silent moment felt unexpectedly intimate. In fact, this is the first time I've ever noticed that my step-brother has shimmering gold flecks in his hazel eyes, which catch the light in a captivating way. It's ironic considering that my name is Hazel, a coincidence I find strangely interesting.

What was that fleeting, unsettling feeling between us?

I shake that thought out of my head, trying to dismiss it. It was clear that not eating for hours was messing with my mind, fogging my judgment and heightening my emotional sensitivity. The second I had something to eat, I was sure that I wouldn't be thinking these dark, confusing thoughts anymore.