Bound by Fire
Selene's breath hitched as Ronan's fingers traced her jaw, his touch both possessive and demanding. His golden eyes burned into hers, filled with something darker than desire—something primal.
"I don't belong to you," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.
Ronan tilted his head, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "Then why do I feel you trembling?"
Selene clenched her fists, willing herself to push him away, but his presence was suffocating. He radiated dominance, a force of nature she couldn't ignore.
"I'm not afraid of you."
His smirk deepened. "No. You should be."
Before she could respond, the wind shifted, carrying a new scent—smoke and blood.
Ronan stiffened.
Selene turned, her stomach twisting at the sight of flames rising in the distance.
"The village," she whispered.
Ronan cursed under his breath. "Darius."
Without another word, he grabbed Selene's hand and pulled her into the shadows, moving with lethal speed toward the burning settlement.
The moment they arrived, chaos erupted around them. Shifters fought in the streets, their bodies locked in vicious combat. Flames devoured wooden houses, the crackling fire drowning out the screams.
Selene's heart pounded as she searched for survivors. She spotted a child cowering near a collapsed building, his eyes wide with terror. Without thinking, she sprinted toward him.
But before she could reach him, a rogue shifter lunged at her, claws bared.
Selene spun, ducking beneath the attack and driving her elbow into the rogue's ribs. He snarled, but before he could retaliate, Ronan was there—fast, brutal.
He tore the rogue apart in seconds.
Blood splattered onto Selene's skin, warm and sticky. She should have been horrified. Instead, she felt something else—an unsettling thrill.
Ronan wiped his blade clean and turned to her. "Stay close."
Selene swallowed hard, nodding.
As they moved through the burning village, the scent of Darius filled the air. He was here. Watching. Waiting.
A shiver ran down her spine.
This wasn't just an attack.
This was a message.
And it was meant for her.