The icy water swallowed me whole.
The current pulled me under, twisting my body in every direction. My lungs screamed for air as I fought to break the surface, but the river was too strong. My limbs felt heavy, my mind sluggish.
Then—strong hands grabbed me.
Ronan.
His grip was firm as he pulled me up, forcing my head above the water. I gasped, coughing violently, my chest burning. The river still fought to drag us under, but Ronan held on.
"Hold on to me," he ordered.
I didn’t hesitate. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, clinging to him as he swam toward the shore. His strokes were powerful, determined, cutting through the violent waves. Even now, in the middle of chaos, he was in control.
My body trembled from the cold by the time we reached the rocky shore. Ronan climbed out
