Chapter one hundred and four.

The woods had always been a place for thinking.

Nicklaus didn’t come to the forest for peace, he came for space.

Although the quietness presently wasn’t comforting, not exactly. It was too alive, too watchful. Every creak of tree trunks, felt like he was been observed, but he pushed the thoughts away and and continued walking.

His thought was centered on Eva.

She wasn’t the same girl he had first met, willing to run away from her pack to avoid their mockeries.

There was so much fear and uncertainty in her eyes back then. She looked too naive. Too weak, bruised.

But she’d changed, bit by bit, hardened and honed.

He had seen the changes in her, more clearly than she saw it in herself. The quiet strength building behind her words. The way she didn't flinched when he told her his story... everything, no half truths, no softening, she had just listened, no fright. No tears, just a long, thoughtful silence and that same soft steady gaze she showered him with.

He hadn’t told her how muc