“If you take one more step, Aria, I swear I’ll tie you to that tree myself.”
Kieran’s voice was sharp, the edge of frustration clear in every syllable. I froze mid-step, turning to face him. His dark eyes, usually filled with mischief or quiet understanding, were blazing with a fire I rarely saw. He wasn’t playing around.
“I’m not running, Kieran,” I said. “But Ethan’s still out there. If Kael’s gone rogue, we need to—”
“Kael’s not the only threat anymore,” he cut in, his tone unyielding. “The shadow pack has been moving since last night. They’ve sent out scouts. They know you’re wounded. And now that Kael’s failed, they’ll come straight for you.”
I wanted to argue, to tell Kieran I wasn’t afraid. But the weight of exhaustion pressed on me, the wounds from my fight with Kael still fres
