Dusk bled across the mountains as Kai’s black truck rumbled out of Pine Ridge.
Elara sat in the passenger seat, fingers laced tightly with his over the gear shift. Two duffels and a box of her most precious herbs were crammed in the back all she’d had time to pack after Ronan’s visit. The shop was locked, lights off, a handwritten note on the door, Closed for family emergency.She kept glancing in the side mirror, half expecting that black SUV to appear.Kai’s jaw was set, eyes scanning every curve of the narrow forest road. “We’ll be on pack land in twenty minutes,” he said quietly. “Once we cross the river, Ronan can’t touch us without declaring open war.”Elara nodded, hand drifting to her belly. “I trust you.”He squeezed her fingers, then let go to downshift around a sharp bend.That’s w
