Alyssa stood motionless, her heart pounding in her chest. The dark night surrounded her, thick with uncertainty. The choice before her—run or fight—loomed larger than ever. But how could she decide? How could she know what was right in a world so alien, so dangerous?
The sudden rush of adrenaline sent a cold shiver down her spine. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for her to make her move.
Kade’s steady presence beside her grounded her. She could feel his eyes on her, his unwavering determination. But beneath that, there was something else: a worry, something unspoken, something she could only begin to understand.
"Don’t let fear rule you," he said quietly, his voice firm, though it carried an undercurrent of tenderness.
His words were a tether, pulling he
