Chapter 7 7

_Selene's POV_

The growl was low and menacing. It echoed in the quiet forest. My breath hitched as I squinted into the darkness. That's when I saw it-a mountain lion, its sleek, muscular body crouched low. Its eyes were gleaming with predatory intent.

Damon stood firm in front of me. His shotgun was raised, and his finger hovered over the trigger. He didn't flinch, didn't waver. I, on the other hand, felt frozen in place.

"Stay behind me," Damon said again, his voice calm but firm.

"What are you going to do?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Handle it," he replied without looking back.

The mountain lion crept closer, its muscles rippling with every step. I could see its sharp teeth glinting in the faint moonlight. My heart pounded so hard it drowned out every sound except for Damon's steady breathing.

The lion snarled, its ears flattening against its head. Damon didn't wait for it to make the first move. He fired a shot into the air, the deafening noise splitting the night. The lion flinched but didn't retreat.

"It's not scared," I murmured.

Damon gritted his teeth. "It's hungry. That's worse. And I am out of bullets."

The lion lunged, its claws extended. My scream caught in my throat as Damon dodged, rolling to the side with inhuman speed. He dropped the gun, which clattered uselessly to the ground.

"Damon!" I shouted.

"I said stay back!" he barked, his voice sharp.

The lion spun around and pounced again, its massive paws aiming for Damon's chest. He met it mid-leap, his body colliding with the beast's in a bone-jarring impact. They crashed to the ground in a tangle of fur and muscle.

I watched in horror as Damon wrestled with the lion, his arms locked around its neck. Its claws raked at him, tearing through his shirt and leaving deep gashes in his skin. But Damon didn't let go. His strength was terrifying and awe-inspiring all at once.

"Damon, stop! You'll get killed!" I cried, unable to stand still any longer.

He growled-not quite human, not quite wolf-and twisted the lion's head to the side. The beast let out a pained roar before slumping to the ground, motionless.

The forest fell silent.

Damon staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his wounds. He turned to me, his chest heaving.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded. I was unable to find my voice.

"You didn't listen to me," he said, his tone a mix of exasperation and relief.

"I-I couldn't just stand there," I stammered. "You could've died!"

He snorted and wiped blood from his hands onto his already ruined shirt. "And what would you have done? Talked it to death?"

I glared at him. "I would've figured something out!"

He smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a way that made my chest tighten. "Sure you would've."

Before I could retort, Damon stepped closer, his expression softening. "You're shaking," he said, his voice low.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, wrapping my arms around myself.

"You're not fine," he replied, his tone gentler now. "But you will be. I promise."

I looked away, my throat tightening. "Why are you even helping me?"

He tilted his head, studying me. "Because you need it. And because I can."

I hated how much his words affected me, how they stirred something deep inside me that I wasn't ready to face.

"We should go," I said, changing the subject. "I left my bag in the cave. I need to get it."

Damon frowned. "Your bag isn't worth your life, Selene."

"It's not just a bag," I said, my voice firm. "There are things in there that matter to me. Personal things."

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine. But you're staying outside. I'll go in and get it."

"No," I protested. "I can-"

"Selene," he interrupted, his voice sharp. "You're staying outside. I'm not arguing about this."

I clenched my fists. My frustration was flaring. But his eyes held mine and I knew that he wouldn't budge.

"Fine," I muttered.

Damon nodded. "Stay here. Don't move."

I watched as he disappeared into the cave. My heart was pounding in my chest. The forest around me felt eerily quiet, every shadow seeming to shift and move. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that crept into my bones.

It felt like an eternity before Damon emerged, my bag slung over his shoulder.

"Here," he said, holding it out to me.

I took it. I felt relieved. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he said and brushed past me.

We started walking. The tension between us was thick. I didn't know where we were going, and I didn't ask. I was too tired to care.

"You're awfully quiet," Damon said after a while, glancing at me.

"I'm tired," I replied.

He smirked. "Tired or embarrassed?"

I frowned. "Embarrassed about what?"

"That whole damsel-in-distress thing back there," he teased.

I stopped walking and glared at him. "I was not a damsel in distress."

"You were screaming my name while I fought off a mountain lion," he said, his tone light. "Sounds pretty damsel-like to me."

I felt my face heat up. "I was worried about you!"

He chuckled, the sound low and rich. "Don't worry, Selene. I'm not complaining. I kind of liked it."

I rolled my eyes and started walking again. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," he shot back, falling into step beside me.

We walked in silence for a while, the forest growing darker around us. The tension in my chest began to ease, replaced by a strange sense of calm.

"Thank you," I said softly, breaking the silence.

"For what?" Damon asked, his tone genuinely curious.

"For saving me," I replied. "Twice."

He glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Get used to it."

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're trouble," he said, his smile widening. "And I have a feeling this won't be the last time I have to save you."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "I don't need saving."

"Sure you don't," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it. For reasons I couldn't explain, I didn't mind his teasing as much as I should have.

We walked on, the forest growing quieter as the night deepened. For the first time in a long time, I felt... safe.

"You don't have to do this, you know," I said after a while.

"Do what?" Damon asked.

"Help me," I replied.

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his silver eyes serious. "Yes, I do."

I stared at him, unsure of what to say. There was something in his expression-something raw and honest-that left me speechless.

"Come on," he said, his tone lighter now. "Let's get moving. We've got a long way to go."

I nodded, falling into step beside him once more.

As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change. And for the first time, I wasn't afraid of what that might mean.