Chapter 9 Choices in the Dark

The cold night seemed worse on Selene's skin. The forest around her was dark and still. The moon was thin, barely visible and able to light up the ground . Shadows moved silently among the trees. They seemed alive. Watching. Waiting.

She stood very still. Her heart beat fast, loud in her chest. Every nerve in her body felt sharp. Something was wrong. Not the usual quiet of the woods. This was different. Heavy. Like the air itself was waiting for something bad.

Behind her, footsteps came soft and sure. Dorian was there. He slid beside her without a sound. His dark eyes scanned the woods, tense and alert.

"They crossed the border," he said low. His voice was rough and calm all at once. "More than I thought."

Selene didn't answer. She just nodded. Her hands curled tight into fists. Fear and anger mixed inside her.

"How many?" she finally asked, voice soft.

Dorian shook his head. "Too many. They're not here to talk."

Selene's eyes narrowed. Her body burned with fire. "Then we fight. We stop them."

He looked at her, steady. "You can't go alone. Not like this."

She met his gaze and didn't blink. "I'm not staying safe while they take our home."

Dorian took a breath, then stepped close. His breath brushed her cheek. "Then I'm with you."

Her heart skipped. The heat from his skin spread through her. Every time he looked at her like this, the world got smaller. The war, the danger-they didn't matter. Only this moment.

"We move now," he said.

They didn't wait. The forest swallowed them as they ran down the slope. The wind bent the trees. Branches slapped their faces. Selene stumbled, but Dorian caught her fast. His arm was strong around her waist. The touch sent fire through her veins.

"Stay with me," he said, voice low.

"I'm not leaving," she said, breathing hard.

Suddenly, a roar tore the night. It shook the ground. Not a wolf's howl. Something darker. Deadlier.

Ahead, shadows shifted. Huge shapes with glowing eyes.

Selene froze. "What are those?"

"Not wolves," Dorian said through clenched teeth. "Worse."

Before she could move, a beast charged. The earth trembled beneath its steps. Dorian shoved Selene out of the way just as sharp teeth snapped where she stood.

She rolled and sprang up. The creature was black, teeth jagged and sharp. Its breath smelled like death and iron.

Selene pulled her dagger. The blade was cold but steady in her hand. She slashed at the beast's face. Dark blood sprayed.

It roared and swiped a claw. She ducked just in time. The wind hit her hair.

Dorian crashed into the beast. They fell hard. Bones cracked.

Her heart pounded. She stood, watching Dorian fight.

The creature growled, then went still. Dorian pushed up, breathing hard but alive.

"We must go," he said. "Now."

Selene opened her mouth to argue, but the forest moved. More glowing eyes appeared. More shapes.

The blood had called them all.

Dorian grabbed her hand, hard enough to hurt. "No time."

They ran. The forest closed in around them. The sound of pursuit thudded behind. Selene's lungs burned. Her legs ached. But she kept moving. Held by Dorian's grip. By the steady beat of his heart near hers.

When they slowed, cold bit deep. Snow crunched underfoot. Moonlight silvered the ice.

Dorian pressed her against a boulder. His hands were firm. His breath ragged.

"You scared me," he said softly.

She swallowed. "Sometimes I scare myself."

He stepped close. His face softened. "You shouldn't be near me. Not now. But I can't let go."

Her breath hitched. When he said things like that, she felt pulled closer. The war and danger felt far away.

His mouth was on hers. The kiss was rough. Desperate. It said what words couldn't.

She melted into him. Fingers curled in his shirt. The cold and fear slipped away.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers. "I'll protect you."

She wanted to believe.

Then footsteps broke the quiet. Heavy and slow.

Dorian's eyes snapped open. "It's not them."

Selene frowned. "Not who?"

The dark shifted. A tall figure stepped out. Cloaked. Silent.

The moon caught his face. Selene gasped.

It was Kieran.

Her father.

The man she thought was dead.