Why are you here, Avery?" Ethan's voice was low, a mixture of frustration and curiosity. He stood tall against the backdrop of the dense forest, his eyes locked on her as if demanding an answer.
Avery folded her arms, her heart beating faster than she wanted to admit. "I could ask you the same thing, Ethan. This part of the forest isn't exactly Blackwood territory."
Ethan took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "You're avoiding the question."
"And you're avoiding mine," she shot back, trying to keep her voice steady despite the growing tension between them.
The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that danced across the forest floor. They were alone, or so it seemed, the silence around them amplifying every word.
"I came to clear my head," Ethan finally admitted, his eyes softening just slightly. "Things have been... complicated."
