Chapter Fifty Nine – The Homecoming Nora’s PovI carried her carefully, feeling the weight of Nora in my arms. She was small, fragile, and exhausted, but I could feel the tension in her muscles, the way her fingers clutched my shirt as if holding on for life. Every step I took toward the house made my chest tighten. I was scared, not for myself, but for her. I knew what awaited us inside. My parents. Selene. Their cruel eyes, sharp tongues, and icy smiles. And now… who else might be waiting?Her hair smelled faintly of pine and earth, damp from the forest. I inhaled it instinctively, letting it calm me just a little. “Almost home,” I whispered, my voice low and rough. “I won’t let them touch you. I promise.”She stirred slightly, mumbling against my shoulder. “Axel…” she breathed. I pressed my forehead to hers. “Shh. Don’t talk now. Just rest. I’ve got you.”The path to the house felt endless. Moonlight barely lit the way, but I could see the silhouette of the building ahead. Its win
Chapter Fifty Eight – Morning in Each Other’s ArmsNora’s POVThe first light of dawn filtered through the trees, soft and warm, and I stirred slowly. My body ached in every corner, but the ache felt different this time. It wasn’t just from running or crying—it was from relief, from being safe, from being with him.I opened my eyes and saw him—Axel—lying beside me, still asleep. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths, his arm resting lightly over mine. I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. For the first time in days, I didn’t feel fear. I didn’t feel shame. I only felt… him.I traced a finger along his jaw gently, memorizing the curve of his face, the soft shadow of his stubble, the way his lips pressed together even while asleep. I wanted to remember every detail. I wanted to burn it into my memory so that no one—no one—could take him away from me again.Careful not to wake him, I shifted slightly, my hand still resting on his chest. The warmth from his skin se
Chapter Fifty Seven – The Truth Between UsAxel’s POVHer body was light in my arms, but my heart felt so heavy I could barely breathe. Her skin was cold, her clothes torn, and she was trembling. I kept running until I found a small abandoned hut near the edge of the forest. It wasn’t much, just broken wood and a roof that looked ready to fall, but it was safer than leaving her in the open.I laid her down gently on the old bed inside. Her eyes fluttered, and for a moment I thought she would faint, but then she whispered, her voice weak but sharp enough to pierce me,“I am not… going back to that house.”Her words stopped me. I froze, looking down at her. “Nora…”“No,” she cut me off. Her lips trembled, her eyes glassy. “Not to that house. Never.”I wanted to argue, but the look in her eyes, so broken, so afraid, kept me silent. Instead, I sat beside her, running my hand carefully over her arm, checking for more wounds. My wolf inside me paced and growled, angry that she had to suffer
Chapter Fifty SixHe came here Axel’s POVI was running. My feet hit the ground again and again, but I didn’t feel tired. My chest was burning, my breath was heavy, but still I pushed myself harder. I could not stop. I could not rest. I had to find her.The forest was dark, the trees standing tall like shadows. I kept calling her name in my heart — Nora… Nora… please be safe.Then I heard it. A sound. A cry. It was faint, but my wolf inside me rose at once. His growl shook my whole body. He knew. He knew it was her.I followed the sound. Branches cut my arms, my legs hit roots, but I didn’t care. Every step was only one thought — reach her, protect her.And then I saw it.She was on the ground, her dress torn, her face wet with tears. A wild animal — big, angry, its teeth sharp — was moving closer to her. It was ready to strike. Nora’s body was shaking. She tried to crawl back, but there was no space left.My whole body froze for a heartbeat. Fear. Real fear. The thought of losing he
Chapter Fifty Nine – The Search BeginsAxel’s POVSleep was a stranger to me. I tossed, turned, sat up, and lay back down, but the space beside me stayed cold and empty. Too empty.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face—Nora’s eyes red from crying, her lips trembling as she tried to hide her pain. She was slipping away from me, and I didn’t even know why. I could feel it, the distance growing like a wall I couldn’t break.My wolf was restless inside me, pacing, growling, clawing.She is ours. Find her. Don’t let her go.I rubbed my face, trying to breathe, but the thought wouldn’t leave me. Something was wrong. Something was pushing her away from me, and I could not rest until I knew what it was.Without thinking twice, I stormed down the hall. My legs carried me straight to Selene’s room. The door stood in front of me like a barrier, but I didn’t knock. I shoved it open.She was there, sitting in front of her mirror, brushing her hair with slow, perfect strokes, like she had no
Chapter Fifty Four – Alone in the DarkNora’s POVI ran and ran until my body begged me to stop. My legs felt heavy, my chest was burning, and each breath was sharp like knives in my throat. My feet stumbled on the rough ground, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get far away.Far away from that house.Far away from Selene’s cruel smile.Far away from the pain of Axel not being there when I needed him.Finally, my strength failed me. I fell to the ground, my knees hitting the dirt. I pressed my palms into the cold soil and bent forward, gasping for air. Tears poured down my cheeks and mixed with the dust on my face.The forest was dark all around me. The trees stood tall like silent watchers. The wind made the branches sway and creak, and each sound made me shiver harder.I wrapped my arms around myself and sat on the ground, rocking slightly. My heart was heavy. My mind was louder than the forest, full of Selene’s words:“This is who you will be — trash. Nothing more.”Her laugh sti