The cold bit into Adrian’s skin as night swallowed the forest. Every muscle in his body ached, but he couldn’t afford to rest. Not now. Not with Matteo’s men still scouring the woods.
He watched Valentina from the corner of his eye.
She sat quietly by the fallen tree, wrapping her arms around herself, trembling not from fear anymore, but from exhaustion and cold.
And still, she hadn’t broken.
A surge of fierce pride twisted in his chest. She was stronger than he had ever expected. Stronger than most men he knew.
But strength alone wouldn't get them out alive.
He pulled the battered map from his pocket...... wet and half-torn but still legible. They were close to an old ranger station. It had been abandoned years ago, but if memory served, there might still be supplies hidden there. W
