Chapter Nineteen

We have no choice but to try and cross the raging river. We don't have time to turn back.

The wolf howls again, and I am terrified. I cannot handle another attack.

"I'm scared, Ryan," I say.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he says. "I pomise.

" It's a promise he can't realistically make. I know that.

But it makes me feel better anyway.

"Don't leave me," I say.

He grabs my hand and smiles.

"I won't," he says, and just for a moment, I feel like I can breathe again.

"You don't have to be afraid, Rachel," he says. "I will always come for you. Always."

He brushes the hair from my eyes, and my cheek burns at the closeness of his hand. I long for him to kiss me. But now is hardly the time.

We run along the shore until we find a good place to make the crossing.

Ryan pulls down some tree branches and fashions a makeshift raft. I stand in awe of how clever he is-- how good he is at taking care of me.

He helps me into the raft and then climbs in himself. He wraps his arms ar