The wind howled through the trees, a wild, frantic sound that matched the pulse pounding in Lyra's ears. The forest around them was dense, every shadow stretching long and dark as they moved deeper into the woods. Kael's grip on her hand was firm, pulling her through the underbrush with an urgency that sent shivers down her spine.
They hadn't spoken since they left the cave. The kiss still lingered on Lyra's lips, the heat of Kael's touch burned into her skin, but she pushed it away, buried it deep under the layers of fear and confusion that threatened to consume her. Now wasn't the time to think about what had happened between them. Now wasn't the time to question what she felt—or what Kael wanted from her.
The only thing that mattered was survival. And right now, that meant getting as far away from Marcus and his wolves as possible.
"Kael," she gasped, her lungs burning as she struggled to keep up with his relentless pace. "We can't keep running like this."