Kieran’s body went rigid, his hand still gripping my waist as his gaze darted toward the sound. My heart was pounding, the heat of our moment fading quickly as the cold reality settled back in. The forest was alive with danger, and we weren’t alone anymore.
I quickly pulled away, my senses alert. The footsteps were getting closer, rustling through the dense underbrush. Whoever—or whatever—it was, they were moving fast. Too fast.
Kieran’s eyes darkened, and a low growl rumbled from his chest. “Stay behind me,” he ordered, stepping in front of me as if his body alone could shield me from whatever was coming.
I reached for my silver blade, the cool metal reassuring in my hand. My powers were still humming beneath the surface, but I didn’t want to rely on them just yet. I needed to stay sha
