Chapter 6 Beneath the Silver Veil

The descent into the heart of the forest was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The trees seemed alive, their gnarled branches weaving into a shed that blocked out the stars. The air grew heavier, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood and the low growls of unseen predators.

Rowan was a step ahead of me, his body tensed and every movement deliberate. My fingers hovered over the locket hanging from my neck, its faint glow was my only guide, and I couldn't tell if it was the locket pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat or the other way around.

"We're close," Rowan whispered.

"To what?" I asked, scanning the shadows for movement.

"To answers," he replied grimly, but his tone made it clear he wasn't certain those answers would be welcome.

Suddenly, a chilling howl echoed through the forest. I froze, my hand gripping Rowan's arm. The sound wasn't far, and it was followed by the snapping of branches.

"They're here," Rowan muttered, his amber eyes flashing in the dim light.

A massive shape burst through the underbrush before I could say something. A werewolf with its dark fur matted and its eyes glowing with an unnatural light lunged towards us. Rowan reacted instantly, shoving me behind him and drawing the blade from his side.

"Stay close!" he barked with a voice of command and a plea.

The creature snarled, baring its teeth as it circled us. It was larger than any wolf I had ever seen, its hulking form rippling with muscle. But there was something off about it, something wrong. Its movements were jerky, almost unnatural, as though it was being controlled by something or someone.

I didn't have time to process the thought before the werewolf lunged. Rowan met it midair, his blade flashing in the dim light. The two clashed violently, their movements were a blur of raw power and skill.

My instincts screamed for me to run, but I stood my ground and gripped the locket tightly, its glow intensifying as though it was responding to my fear.

"Rowan!" I trembled as I called him.

Rowan drove his blade into the werewolf's side, forcing it back. It howled in pain but didn't retreat. Instead, it turned its glowing eyes on me.

My heart stuttered as the werewolf leapt towards me with its claws outstretched. But before it could reach me, Rowan's body collided with the beast. They crashed to the ground, and Rowan's roar of defiance echoed through the clearing.

The werewolf snapped and clawed, but Rowan was relentless. With a final, brutal strike, he drove the blade through the werewolf's chest, and it let out a deafening cry before it collapsed and hit the floor.

Rowan turned to me, breathing heavily. His face was smeared with blood, some his, some not, but his eyes were filled with need as he looked at me.

"Are you hurt?" he demanded, stepping closer. He checked my face and neck for scars.

I shook my head, though my hands were trembling. "I'm fine," I said, trying to steady my voice.

Rowan cupped my face, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You shouldn't be here," he murmured, he said with a rough voice. It was filled with emotions that I couldn't decode.

My resolve hardened as he locked eyes with me. It felt like it was just the two of us on a plain field "I'm not leaving you," I assured him.

The tension between us was visible, the air was thick with unspoken words and shared fear. Rowan's hand lingered on my jaw, his thumb brushing away a stray tear I didn't realize had fallen.

"I don't want to lose you," his voice broke as he spoke.

"You won't," I replied. "I'll be right by your side every step of the way."

And then, as though drawn together by an invisible force, our lips met. This time, the kiss was fierce, desperate, a mixture of fear, anger, and longing. I clung to him, my hands fisted in his shirt as he pulled me closer.

The forest seemed to disappear, like the shadows retreated as their world narrowed to just the two of us. Rowan's hands roamed my back, tracing my spine, his touch ignited a fire beneath my skin, and I pressed against him, my body answering his with a hunger I didn't know I possessed.

"Evelyn," Rowan murmured against my lips, like his voice was filled with both a warning and a plea.

"I'm here," I whispered as my fingers tangled in his hair.

We sank to the forest floor, the world around us forgotten as we gave in to the intensity of the connection we tried to ignore. It wasn't just desire, it was something deeper, something primal that neither of us could deny.

But just as we reached the height of the intensity, a deafening roar shattered the moment.

Rowan froze, his body was rigid against mine and my eyes flew open, my heart pounded as the roar echoed through the trees. It was getting closer.

"They've found us," Rowan said. "We have to go now."

My body was still humming with the aftermath of the moment we just had as I sat up. "Who?"

Rowan's gaze shifted to the darkness beyond us and his expression was grim. "The Warden's wolves. They're coming."

I followed his gaze; my blood ran cold as I caught glowing eyes appearing in the shadows. Dozens of them surrounded the clearing, closing in on us like we were their prey.

Rowan stood, pulling me to my feet. "Stay behind me," his voice was steel and firm.

"No," I said, I gripped the locket tightly and stepped beside him. "We fight together." I lifted my chin.

I could see Rowan looking at me with something like pride flickering in his eyes despite the danger. "You're impossible," he muttered as his lips quirked into a faint smile.

As the wolves closed in, their growls filled the air. My heart raced, but I refused to back down. The locket in my hand burned hot, its light growing brighter until it illuminated the clearing.

"Whatever happens," Rowan said. "Don't let them take you."

"Whatever happens, we end this." I looked at him without fear in my eyes.

And then the wolves attacked.