[Araya's POV]
Araya wakes in darkness.
The fire has burned down to glowing embers, casting barely enough light to see by. The cabin is silent except for the soft crackling of dying coals and the wind whistling through the trees outside.
Something woke her. A sound, maybe. Or a feeling.
Araya's eyes adjust slowly to the dim light. She looks toward the chair by the hearth where Ronan was sitting earlier.
Empty.
Araya's heart skips a beat. She pushes herself up slowly, wincing as pain shoots through her ribs. The bandages on her feet pull tight as she shifts her legs over the side of the bed.
Where did he go?
A sound outside makes Araya freeze. It's low and rumbling, like thunder rolling across the mountains. But it's not thunder.
It's a growl.
Araya's breath catches. She looks towa
