Chapter 16
823 Words
CHAPTER 16 — THE WAY HE LOOKS AT HER
The storm breaks just as Selene slams the cabin door shut.
Wind howls against the walls, rattling the windows, but Kael’s voice is louder—low, rough, and edged with something she has never heard from him before.
Jealousy.
“What were you doing with him?” Kael growls, pacing like a caged wolf. His hair hangs damp around his face, chest rising and falling hard, the wildness in him barely leashed.
Selene drops her backpack onto the table. “His name is Elias. He’s my friend. And he came to warn me—because that thing that attacked the cabin last night? It’s getting closer.”
Kael’s jaw flexes. “He looks at you like he owns you.”
Her breath stumbles.
He steps closer, the heat of him igniting every nerve. “He touches you like he has the right.”
Selene forces her voice steady. “And you think you have the right to be angry?”
Kael stops inches from her. “I don’t have the right, Selene. I know that. But knowing doesn’t stop it.”
His hand lifts—hesitates—drops to his side, trembling.
She has never seen him like this. Uncontrolled. Vulnerable. Wanting.
“It’s not Elias you’re angry at,” she whispers.
“No.” His voice breaks like thunder. “It’s myself. Because I cannot stand the thought of someone else having even a piece of you.”
Something lodges tight in her chest.
But before she can speak, the door bursts open.
Sheriff storms in, water dripping from her jacket, gun holstered but ready. Behind her, Mira_Selene’s best friend—rushes in, soaked, breathless, terrified.
The moment they see Kael, both freeze.
Mira grabs Selene’s arm. “What is he doing here? You can’t trust him. You cannot, Selene.”
Margo’s eyes narrow at Kael, hand sliding toward her weapon. “Step away from her.”
Kael doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. His body shifts subtly—protective, blocking Selene from their line of fire.
Selene steps between them. “Stop. Both of you. He saved my life.”
Mira's voice cracks. “He’s dangerous!”
“I know,” Selene says softly. “But not to me.”
Kael’s breath shudders behind her.
Margo lowers her voice. “You need to leave that forest creature alone. Because last night—whatever attacked your cabin? It wasn’t him.”
The room chills.
Selene’s skin prickles. Kael goes utterly still.
Margo continues, “Tracks showed claws… but not wolf. Bigger. Wrong. Like something twisted.”
Mira nods frantically. “And it’s hunting anyone who goes near the forest. Including you.”
Kael’s hand brushes Selene’s back—barely a touch, but she feels the tremor in him. “It’s not just hunting. It’s searching,” he murmurs. “And it won’t stop.”
His eyes meet hers—dark, fierce, terrified for her.
Margo steps forward. “Selene. Pack your things. You’re coming with us.”
Kael’s low growl vibrates the air.
Selene spins to him. “Kael—”
“You’re not going with them.” His voice is pure instinct, pure possession. “I’ll protect you.”
Mira snaps, “Protect her? You’re half the problem!”
Selene lifts her chin. “Kael is the only one who has told me the truth. And the only one who fought for me.”
Mira’s face crumples. “And what about us? We came through a storm because we care about you!”
Kael steps closer, voice quiet but deadly calm. “And I didn’t? She nearly died last night because of that thing. I stayed with her. I kept her alive.”
He looks at Selene like she’s the only light he’s ever seen.
Margo sighs, defeated. “Selene… choose. But choose fast. Before that creature comes back.”
The storm shakes the cabin.
Selene’s heartbeat hammers.
Mira stares, terrified.
Margo waits, tense.
Kael watches her like the world hangs on her next breath.
And Selene realizes the truth:
No one else understands what she has seen in this forest.
No one else understands him.
No one else feels what she feels when he looks at her like this.
Her choice is already made.
She steps toward Kael.
Mira gasps. Margo curses under her breath.
Kael’s eyes widen, softening with a relief so raw it breaks something inside her.
“Selene…” he whispers.
Outside, something screeches—a sound sharp enough to slice the air, close, hunting, near.
The creature is back.
Kael moves instantly, pulling Selene behind him just as the window cracks from a blow strong enough to shake the frame.
Mira screams.
Margo draws her weapon.
Selene clutches Kael’s arm as the growl rises outside—inhuman, furious, hungry.
“It found us,” Kael breathes.
Lightning flashes.
A shadow towers outside the window.
And the forest goes silent.
- Writer
