Caught In The Storm

Chapter Forty Nine : Caught in the Storm

Selene’s POV

The night felt heavier than usual. The forest around us was quiet—too quiet. I laid my head on Ronan’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was strong, steady, and calming. He stroked my back gently, whispering something about how we’d be okay, that we’d find peace soon. I wanted to believe him.

My eyes were closing slowly, the warmth of his arms lulling me to sleep. Then I heard it.

A snap. A footstep. Leaves rustling.

Ronan stiffened beneath me. His hand paused. I opened my eyes.

“Did you hear that?” I whispered.

He nodded once, then moved me gently to the side. He was already reaching for the small bag we carried — the one with herbs and a little food. Without another word, he grabbed my hand, and we ran.

I didn’t even have time to think. I just followed him, trusting him completely. My feet hurt. My breath was short. But I kept going.

Behind us, the sounds grew louder. Voices. Footsteps. Orders being shouted.

They were close.

Too close.

Ronan led us toward the edge of a rocky slope, pulling me behind a large boulder. We crouched low, holding our breath. I could feel his body tremble beside mine — not from fear, but from holding back. His wolf was close to the surface. I could feel the heat of it.

But then we heard a voice. A voice I knew too well.

“Selene.”

I froze.

“No,” I whispered. “No, please, not him.”

Evric.

Ronan turned to look at me, his face unreadable. His hand gripped mine tighter.

“Selene, come out!” Evric’s voice was louder now. “I know you’re here! You think you can hide forever?”

Ronan’s eyes darkened. He helped me to my feet and whispered, “No more running.”

“No—Ronan, they’ll kill you. He’ll kill you.”

Ronan didn’t answer. He stepped out.

I followed him.

And then I saw them. All of them.

Evric stood in the clearing ahead, his dark hair messy, his cloak flying behind him. His guards flanked him. Sasha was beside him, arms crossed. More soldiers were scattered behind them, forming a wide circle.

We were surrounded.

Evric’s eyes locked on mine first. Then on Ronan. His expression changed.

“So…” Evric’s voice was quiet now. Dangerous. “You’re the one.”

He stepped forward slowly.

“You’re the one who had the guts to come into my territory, sneak into my home, and steal what belongs to me?”

“She’s not yours,” Ronan said. His voice was calm, but firm. “She doesn’t belong to anyone.”

Evric laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Who are you?”

Ronan didn’t flinch. “My name is Ronan.”

Evric’s brows rose. “Ronan? Ronan? That name again.” He laughed again, louder this time. “You’re the famous Ronan who dared to lay his hands on my mate?”

I could feel Ronan tense beside me. I held onto his arm.

“She was never your mate,” Ronan said. “You just forced her to stay.”

Evric’s jaw clenched. He stepped forward again.

Then he looked at me. “Selene, look me in the eye and tell me you love him.”

My lips trembled. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.

“Say it!” he shouted.

Tears fell down my cheeks. I stepped forward. “I love him.”

That was it.

Evric didn’t speak. His whole body went still. His eyes darkened, glowing faintly with his wolf. Around us, the guards moved a little, sensing the shift in energy.

Then Sasha stepped forward, her voice cool. “We found them, Evric. What now?”

Evric didn’t take his eyes off Ronan.

He pulled his sword from his belt slowly, and pointed it at Ronan.

“You want to keep her?” he asked, voice low. “Then fight.”

Ronan stared at him.

“Fight every guard here. Fight me. If you win, you take her.”

I shook my head. “Evric, no—please, don’t do this—”

Evric raised a hand to silence me.

“But,” he continued, “if you know you can’t fight everyone here, there’s time for you to leave, you don’t need to pretend. Just take your leave and never set your feet in my pack except there’s an order, it’s a choice for you to make, a choice for you to pick .”

The air was still.

Nobody moved.

Ronan’s eyes flickered to mine. I saw the pain in them. The fear. Not for himself — but for me.

He stepped forward.

But I grabbed his arm. “Ronan, don’t.”

“I have to,” he whispered. “It’s the only way.”

“No, I don’t want this! I don’t want you hurt! Please!”

I was crying now, clinging to him. He turned and held my face in his hands.

“No matter what happens, I love you,” he whispered. “And I will never stop.”

I sobbed into his chest, shaking my head. “There has to be another way.”

But he was already turning toward Evric, ready to face them all.

Ready to fight for me.