They Are Here

Chapter Forty Eight : They Are Coming for Us

Selene’s POV

I rested my head on Ronan’s chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady. His arm was wrapped around me, keeping me warm. We were hidden in a quiet part of the forest, near a small stream. The fire had burned out, and only the smell of smoke lingered in the air.

The wind was soft that night, brushing against the leaves like whispers. I closed my eyes and let myself breathe slowly. For the first time in a long while, I felt safe. In his arms, I wasn’t the scared girl from before. I wasn’t the daughter of a cruel Alpha. I wasn’t the unwanted mate of a king.

I was just Selene. A woman. A soon-to-be mother. And I was with the man I loved.

Ronan ran his fingers through my hair. “You should sleep,” he whispered.

“I can’t,” I said softly. “My mind is full.”

He looked down at me. “Still worried?”

I nodded. “Do you think they’ve forgotten about us?”

He didn’t answer. His eyes looked far away, as if listening.

Then I heard it too.

A snap.

A twig breaking.

Another step.

Ronan’s body became tense. His hand moved quickly to the dagger by his side.

My heart began to race.

“Someone’s close,” he said, barely above a whisper.

We stayed still, hoping it was just an animal.

Then we heard it again.

Voices.

Steps.

Many of them.

Ronan stood up and gently pulled me to my feet. His eyes scanned the dark trees ahead.

“They’re here.”

I gasped. “Evric?”

“Maybe. Or his soldiers. Or Sasha.”

I swallowed hard. “What do we do?”

He looked at me. “I carry you. We run. We stay alive.”

Before I could answer, he lifted me into his arms again. My body had become weaker since we escaped. The pregnancy was still early, but I was always tired, always dizzy.

He held me close, careful not to make noise, and began to move quickly through the woods.

Behind us, I could hear voices clearer now.

“She couldn’t have gone far.”

“Search that way!”

“If you find them, don’t harm her! The King still wants her alive!”

“Ronan is dangerous. Stay sharp.”

Each word made my stomach twist. They were closing in.

Ronan ran through the trees, his breath steady, his arms strong. He moved like a shadow, quiet and fast. I held onto him, trying not to cry.

“I’m slowing you down,” I said weakly.

He shook his head. “No. You are the reason I’m moving at all.”

I felt tears in my eyes. Even in danger, he made me feel like I mattered.

We reached a thick part of the forest. Ronan slid behind a curtain of vines and stepped into a small gap between rocks.

It was just wide enough to hide us both.

He placed me down gently and pressed a finger to his lips. I nodded and stayed silent.

The footsteps were closer now. I could hear the heavy breathing of the soldiers. I could smell their scent—wolves.

Sasha’s voice rang through the trees.

“I know you’re out here, Ronan!” she shouted. “You can’t protect her forever! She will return to the palace. She belongs to the King!”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t move. He kept one arm around me, the other gripping his blade.

I could feel his heartbeat—it was racing now.

We waited.

Seconds felt like minutes.

Minutes felt like hours.

The footsteps passed.

One by one.

Closer.

Then… farther.

They didn’t see us.

Ronan waited, even after the sounds faded. His hand never left his weapon.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he whispered, “They went east. We go west.”

I looked at him. “Will they give up?”

“No,” he said. “They want you. They want our child. Evric won’t stop. Sasha wants the Beta title. They’ll hunt us like animals.”

I touched my stomach. “We can’t run forever.”

“We don’t have to,” he said. “There’s a place. Past the river. Deep in the old forest. It’s protected by spells and spirits. No one dares go there. Not even Alphas.”

I frowned. “Is it safe?”

“It’s safer than here. And it’s where I grew up… before the palace. I know the way.”

He helped me stand again, gently wiping my face with his sleeve.

“You okay?” he asked.

I nodded. “As long as I’m with you.”

His lips brushed my forehead. “We’ll be free soon.”

⸻

We moved slowly through the woods again, this time even deeper into the unknown. The moonlight above us guided the way. I kept my hand on my belly, whispering prayers for our baby. For Ronan. For hope.

The hunters were behind us.

But love was in front of us.

And I was ready to fight for it.