Makayla stared at the empty space where her father had been just moments ago. The forest was silent now, the only sound her own ragged breathing. The weight in her chest felt unbearable, pressing down on her like a stone.
Gino was slipping away.
And she was losing him.
Mikhail shifted beside her, his expression unreadable. His arms were crossed, his stance rigid, but his eyes—his golden eyes were filled with something he refused to name.
Makayla exhaled sharply, forcing herself to move, to turn away.
“You didn’t have to stop me,” she murmured.
Mikhail let out a short, humorless laugh.
“You would’ve gotten yourself killed.”
Makayla’s hands clenched into fists.
“He wasn’t going to hurt me.”
Mikhail’s jaw tightened.
“You don’t know that.”
Makayla turned to him, her golden eyes bur
