Chapter

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Dain carried Matthew through the forest, his arms steady despite the strain. Elyra stayed close, her eyes darting around for any signs of pursuit. When they finally found a secluded spot near a stream, they set Matthew down and worked quickly to tend to his injuries. Elyra's hands shook as she pressed cloth against Matthew's wounds. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to stop. "This is my fault," she whispered. "If it weren't for me—"

"Stop," Dain interrupted, his voice firm. He crouched beside her, his fiery eyes softening as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't your fault. None of it is."

Elyra shook her head, the weight of her guilt crushing her. "Everything has been because of me. The wolves, Jason, that woman... It's all because I exist."

Dain reached out, lifting her chin so she had to look at him. "You're the reason we've made it this far," he said, his tone steady. "You're the reason we have a chance. Don't ever think you're a burden."

For a moment, the tension between them melted into something unspoken but deeply felt. Elyra's heart raced, the weight of his gaze leaving her breathless.

"Dain..." she began, but the words failed her.

He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll keep each other safe. Always."

The moment stretched, their bond stronger than it had ever been. But the unspoken tension lingered, a reminder of the line they couldn't cross.

As the dawn broke, Elyra sat beside Matthew, her exhaustion matched by her resolve. Dain stood guard nearby, his protective gaze never leaving her. Together, they prepared for whatever would come next, their bond unbreakable in the face of growing danger.