Ruby's POV
The walk was long.
Longer than it should’ve been, even though I knew the trail well. Shadowridge’s territory crept in like rot beneath the trees, and every footstep sank me deeper into it.
No one spoke.
Jake walked beside me, silent as always, his hands behind his back like we were out for a casual night stroll and not returning from a battlefield that almost cost Carter his life.
Two of his men followed close behind, but I didn’t turn to look at them.
I couldn’t.
Because if I did, I’d scream. Or run.
Or break.
And I didn’t have the luxury of doing any of that now.
I kept my eyes on the path ahead, boots crunching over dead leaves and brittle branches. The moonlight spilled in patches across the forest floor, cold and pale, catching on Jake’s shoulders as he walked li
