Chapter

215

occasional rustle of leaves and the hoot of an owl.

The evening air was crisp and cool, the stars overhead twinkling in a vast, cloudless sky. The fire crackled in the middle of the campsite as Matthew, Elyra, and Dain sat around it, roasting marshmallows on makeshift skewers. The wilderness was quiet, save for the "This was a good idea," Matthew said, leaning back against a log. "Feels nice to get away from everything for a bit."

Elyra nodded absently, her golden eyes fixed on the flickering flames. Dain was poking at his marshmallow with a stick, his fiery orange eyes scanning the forest like he was expecting something to emerge at any moment. "Relax," Matthew said, noticing Dain's tension. "The bears are more scared of us than we are of them."

As if summoned by his words, a low growl rumbled from the darkness beyond the firelight.

All three froze, their heads snapping toward the sound.

The growl came again, louder this time, followed by the unmistakable crunch of heavy footfalls. A bear, massive and hulking, lumbered into view. Its dark fur glistened in the firelight, and its small eyes gleamed with menace as it reared onto its hind legs, letting out a deafening roar.

Matthew grabbed a large branch from the fire, waving it in an attempt to scare the animal off. "Get back!" he yelled.

The bear roared again, swiping at the air with massive claws. Elyra stumbled backward, her heart racing, but Dain stepped forward, his body taut with a strange, feral energy.

"Dain, don't—!" Matthew started, but Dain was already moving.

With a speed and strength that defied logic, Dain lunged at the bear, slamming his shoulder into its chest. The bear staggered back, growling in surprise. Dain didn't stop. He grabbed a thick branch from the ground and swung it with incredible force, striking the bear's side. The bear roared in pain, swiping at Dain with its claws, but Dain dodged with an agility that seemed almost inhuman. He growled a low, guttural sound and leapt onto the bear's back, forcing it to the ground. With a final, guttural roar of his own, Dain shoved the bear away. The massive animal scrambled to its feet, its gaze darting between Dain and the fire. Finally, it turned and bolted into the woods, its growls fading into the distance.

Matthew stood frozen, the branch still clutched in his hands. "What the hell was that?" he whispered.

Dain turned back to them, his chest heaving. "It was... adrenaline," he muttered, avoiding their eyes. "That's all."noveldrama

"Adrenaline doesn't let someone wrestle a bear!" Matthew snapped, stepping closer. "You-"

"I said it's nothing!" Dain barked, his fiery gaze locking on Matthew. The older man flinched, clearly unnerved by the raw intensity in Dain's eyes.

Elyra said nothing, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from Dain. Her mind raced, piecing together the countless moments that had hinted at something more than human about them. The way Dain healed faster than anyone else, the way his strength seemed to surge at the right moments-none of it was normal.

None of them were normal.