Ryker
---
He found her.
Naked.
Shivering.
Curled in on herself.
Crying so hard her whole body trembled.
The sight nearly brought him to his knees.
What have I done?
He shifted back instantly, not caring that he was naked, not caring about anything except the broken girl on the forest floor.
“El…” His voice cracked.
He scooped her into his arms, her skin ice‑cold, her breaths shallow and uneven.
“I’ve got you, El,” he whispered, voice shaking. “I’ve got you.”
Her head lolled against his chest, eyes barely open.
“I don’t reject you. You hear me?” His voice broke. “I want you. You are mine. My mate… don’t leave me.”
He didn’t know if she could hear him.
He didn’t know if she was conscious.
He didn’t know if he was already too late.
He just ran.
Through the storm.
Through t
