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“Whenever you’re ready,” Adam adds, because I’m not quick to move.
The longer I hang like this, the harder it is for me to let go. I just need to fucking do it. I really wish I had my big girl panties. Any panties at all, actually. I shouldn’t be thinking about Kellan liking the way I look. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him, especially with Adam here.
Sucking in a deep breath, I release the branch. The world rushes around me, and my stomach flies to my throat, but I don’t get sick or anything. It reminds me of why I hate rollercoasters. I hate the sensation of my body trying to rearrange itself.
The fall only lasts a second, so quickly that I can’t make a sound, and Adam catches me, lowering me to the ground until my feet touch the cool dirt. He hugs me close, wrapping his arms around me, and I sink against him.
“See, you can trust me for anything,” he murmurs, combing my hair behind my ear.
His words dig at me, the real meaning clearer than the ocean around the island. He wants me to know that I can tell him anything, especially regarding Kellan. Maybe that I shouldn’t trust the man either. How I know? It’s just a hunch.
I touch my hand to his shoulder. “I know. Thanks for that.”
Clearing his throat, Kellan steps into my personal space. His confidence and bravado shock me. He acts like this whole situation is normal and like we’re close friends. I frown at him, resisting the urge to step back. Another part of me wants to throw away my good senses and step closer instead. He hovers within my reach and close enough for me to catch a hint of his scent—like woods and musk and something more floral. Lavender, perhaps.
“I’ll walk you back to your camp if you’d like, Eliana. You’ll be safe with me.” Kellan reaches out and grazes his fingers over my arm, ignoring Adam completely.
I inhale a soft breath, the strange shock of his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. I gape at him, my mouth hanging open. I still have so many questions.
Adam slides his fingers through mine and tugs me closer to him protectively. “I think we’re good, man. I remember the way back.”
I automatically let him tuck me under his arm. Kellan scowls, his face transforming from soft to intimidating and hard in a split second. I swear that I spot a flash of gold crossing his irises.
Kellan flares his nostrils. “Eliana, he’s already put you in danger. I will ensure nothing and nobody comes after you. It would be my plea—”
“Do you think we’re stupid? There’s no fucking way we’ll ever be safe with you. You work with the fuckers who left us here, don’t you?” Adam twists and grabs a tree branch, breaking it off one-handed.
Kellan doesn’t step back or anything. His features remain sharp as he gives Adam a long look. He’s trying to determine if he’s a real threat or not. And with the way he crosses his arms, I can see that he doesn’t believe he is.
“If you weren’t stupid, you wouldn’t have brought her here. And no, I don’t work for anyone.” Kellan’s jaw twitches as he says the words, his blue eyes capturing mine all over again. He doesn’t give Adam any attention despite speaking to him. “I was only trying to help Eliana. She deserves protection and respect. If you truly knew how special a female is, then you’d agree to let me escort you. But obviously, you were going to take your position of power for granted. Just like you probably have done with women all your life.”
I frown and shift my gaze. That’s kind of fucking weird of him to say.
Adam puffs out his chest, tightening his fingers around mine, and then he tugs me along. He doesn’t respond to Kellan and guides me to where Chase had marked the trees to indicate where we need to go.
“Eliana,” Kellan says, his voice echoing through the forest. “You don’t have to obey him. You don’t belong to him.”
I can’t help myself and turn to look at him from over my shoulder.
“I know you want answers, and it’s almost time that I can give them to you. You have to trust me. I’ll protect you.” Kellan meanders behind us, following at a distance.
Trust him? No. His comment secures my guard in place. He has answers and doesn’t want to share them. Shaking my head, I call, “I’m good with Adam. We can handle ourselves.”
“I hope so, my love. Only the strong will be selected, so stay safe and remember what I said about the creek.” Kellan offers me a soft smile. “I’ll be around.”
Adam tugs me faster, practically forcing me to sprint to keep up with him. I gaze at the ground in front of me, focusing on my footing to ensure I don’t fall. Looking over my shoulder again, I try to glimpse one last look at Kellan, but he’s gone.
And then I see the wolf. The bright blue eyes.
I can tell something is massively strange about this place, and I think it has to do with the wolves. There is no other explanation.
If only Kellan would offer me the answers now.
A part of me is afraid to find out.
I know I won’t like the truth.
I just hope that the truth helps me survive. Because right now, after everything, I’m not sure any of us are ever going to make it out of this alive. Not with the way things are going.
