Chapter

227

The cabin had always been a haven, but lately, the atmosphere felt heavy. Matthew couldn't ignore the growing tension between Elyra and Dain. The two, once inseparable, now seemed to avoid each other, their interactions charged with a strange undercurrent he couldn't place. They exchanged fleeting looks when they thought he wasn't watching-looks that spoke of something deeper, something Matthew couldn't name.

One evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting the cabin in a golden glow, Matthew decided to confront Elyra. He found her sitting by the window, her silver hair catching the fading light as she gazed out into the woods. "Elyra," he said gently, taking a seat across from her. "Can we talk?"

She turned to him, startled. "Of course. What's wrong?"

Matthew leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That's what I should be asking you. You and Dain-something's different. You're both acting...off. Is there something going on?"noveldrama

Elyra looked away, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "No, it's nothing. We're just...adjusting. Things at school have been rough."

Matthew frowned. "It's more than that. I can see it. You're avoiding each other, and when you're together, it's like there's a wall between you."

Elyra hesitated, her golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. "We're fine, Matthew. Really."

But her voice lacked conviction, and Matthew's worry deepened. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "If there's something you're not telling me, you know you can trust me. I just want to help." Elyra nodded, offering a weak smile. "I know. Thank you."

Satisfied for the moment, Matthew left her alone, but the unease lingered. Meanwhile, Dain had taken to spending long hours in the woods, returning with his clothes torn and his hands dirty. He claimed he was hunting or exploring, but Matthew suspected he was avoiding the cabin-and Elyra.

Alone in the forest, Dain tried to grapple with the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He had always felt protective of Elyra, but now that protectiveness had shifted into something more complicated. He hated himself for it, for feeling something he knew he shouldn't. Dain clenched his fists, staring at the horizon where the sun had disappeared. "Get it together," he muttered to himself, but the ache in his chest remained.