The snow under Holly’s boots crunched with each step, a rhythmic echo that felt louder than it should in the stillness of the forest. Rowan moved beside her, steady and sure, his presence radiating warmth that made the cold more bearable. The bond between them hummed faintly beneath the surface, a pull she didn’t yet understand, and it kept her heart fluttering in ways that confused her.
After a long stretch of walking in silence, Holly finally spoke, her voice small and hesitant.
“Rowan… how did you even get into my grandmother’s cabin?”
Rowan’s pace slowed just slightly, and he glanced at her. His dark eyes were calm, measured, but carried that same intensity that always made her want to lean closer.
“The cabin?” he repeated. “It’s within Hales Crest territory, yes, but your grandmot
