Lena stared into eyes that felt familiar — like a memory she’d never lived, or a dream that refused to fade.
Amber. Wild. Watchful.
Not quite human.
“Are you alright?” the man asked, voice low and rough, like gravel softened by years of restraint.
She tried to speak, but the words lodged in her throat. His hand was still on her arm — steady, gentle but firm, like he knew how easily she could fall.
She swallowed. “Yes. I... I think so.”
He released her slowly. Too slowly. As if his body didn’t want to let go.
“You shouldn’t be in these woods alone,” he said. “It’s easy to get lost.”
Lena’s eyes narrowed. “Do you live around here?”
“In a way,” he said.
The stranger was tall — broad-shouldered but quiet in his stance. Like the forest moved for him. Not out of fear, but respect. His
