MIA’S POV
The night air was thick with tension, the sounds of the forest blending into the rapid beating of my heart. I crouched lower behind the large stone, my breaths coming out in slow, measured puffs. Someone was nearby. I could hear the faint rustling of leaves, the crunch of boots against the earth.
They were looking for me.
I knew it wasn’t an ordinary patrol. No, this was something else. Someone had followed me, their presence sharp, relentless.
I pressed my back against the stone, closing my eyes for a brief second. If they caught me, if they saw even the faintest glow of my shifting eyes, it would all be over. My secret-my curse-would be exposed.
A snap of a branch.
I opened my eyes, preparing to bolt.
But before I could move, a strong hand clamped over my mouth, pulling me backward. My body tensed, muscles locking in place as I struggled. I was about to fight back when a familiar scent invaded my senses.
Crisp cedarwood, mixed with something darker. Something unmistakable.
Nathan.
I stilled immediately, my pulse still wild beneath my skin. His arms tightened around me, pressing me against his chest as he lowered us behind the stone.
“Shh,” he whispered, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “Don’t move.”
I could feel the heat of his body against mine, the firm muscles beneath his shirt. He was solid, warm, suffocating in a way that made my thoughts blur.
Damn it.
This was Nathan.
The same Nathan who had tormented me, made me suffer, pushed me to the edge of my existence. And yet, my traitorous heart skipped a beat being this close to him.
I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to steady.
The footsteps grew louder, circling the area where I had just been. I remained still, barely daring to breathe.
Nathan’s grip on me tightened slightly, his fingers grazing the side of my face as if to ensure I stayed put. I could feel the roughness of his palm, the heat of it against my skin.
I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his proximity.
After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps finally began to fade, the presence moving farther into the woods.
Nathan didn’t let go.
I turned my head slightly, my lips brushing against his wrist as I whispered, “You can let me go now.”
His fingers flexed against my mouth before he slowly moved his hand away.
I turned to face him fully, my breath catching in my throat as I met his gaze. The moonlight cast a soft glow over his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw, the intensity in his dark eyes.
He was watching me too closely, like he was searching for something.
“You were being followed,” he muttered, his voice lower than usual.
I crossed my arms, stepping away from him. “I figured that out myself.”
His lips twitched slightly, almost like he wanted to smirk, but something held him back.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he added.
I scoffed. “And you shouldn’t be stalking me.”
His expression darkened, but there was something else there-something unreadable.
“You think I enjoy this?” he said, his voice quieter now. “Being assigned to watch you when all you do is push us away?”
I opened my mouth, ready to fire back, but the way he was looking at me stopped me.
There was no mockery, no arrogance. Just something raw, something I didn’t want to name.
I needed to get away.
I turned on my heel. “Whatever. I’m leaving.”
Before I could take another step, Nathan grabbed my wrist, spinning me back around.
His grip was firm but not forceful.
I tried to ignore the way my skin tingled where he touched me.
“You were running,” he stated, tilting his head slightly. “Why?”
I hesitated. Just for a second.
That second was enough for Nathan to catch on.
His grip loosened slightly. “What are you hiding, Mia?”
I yanked my hand away, stepping back. “None of your damn business.”
Nathan exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“You know,” he murmured, stepping closer, “for someone who keeps claiming not to know us, you sure react to me a lot.”
I stiffened, refusing to back down.
He smirked, just slightly, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.
I hated that he was right.
And I hated even more that my heart was still racing, but not from fear.
I had to get out of here.
My cheek stung as I slapped myself back to reality. What the hell was wrong with me? I had to snap out of this. The way Nathan looked at me, the way his fingers had brushed against my skin-it was messing with my head.
I shook off the strange feeling bubbling inside me and took a step back, narrowing my eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Nathan exhaled heavily, running a hand through his damp hair. “I was following you.”
I crossed my arms, raising a brow. “So, you admit to stalking me now?”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t smirk this time. “Call it what you want, but I’m not letting you wander around alone when there are strange people lurking near the campgrounds.”
I frowned, my mind snapping back to the footsteps from earlier. “What strange people?”
“Unknown wolves,” he muttered, scanning our surroundings. “I noticed them following you before you even did. You’re not being careful, Mia.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms tighter over my chest. “I can take care of myself.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “That’s not the point. If something happens to you, then-” He cut himself off, exhaling sharply.
I arched a brow. “Then what, Nathan? You’d be sad? Please, spare me the fake concern.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, but instead of arguing, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Hey! What are you-”
Before I could finish, he yanked me forward, pulling me toward the river.
I barely had a second to process before I was submerged underwater, Nathan’s strong arm wrapped around my waist. My lungs burned as the cold water engulfed me, my instincts screaming at me to fight back.
Was he trying to drown me?
I struggled, my hands pushing against his chest, but he held me firmly, keeping me beneath the surface.
My vision blurred, the lack of oxygen making my limbs weak. I tried to scream, but only bubbles escaped my lips.