Megan stepped closer, her voice low. "Ellie."
I turned to her, bracing for another argument. But her expression wasn't hostile. It was… tired. And maybe a little sad.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "That we have to leave. I mean." She hesitated, then added, "I was wrong. About you. It wasn't fair."
I stared at her, caught off guard. Megan didn't apologize. Ever.
"Thank you," I said softly.
She nodded once, then turned back toward the supplies, her shoulders stiff.
Nathan didn't look at me again.
The gathering was formal in a way that made my stomach twist.
Rivik stood at the centre of the camp, his presence commanding even in stillness. The pack assembled around him in a wide circle, their faces solemn and attentive. Our team stood near the front, close enough to hear every word.
Rivik's gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on me before moving on. My chest ached at the distance in his eyes.
He spoke in his language, his voice low and steady, and I translated for the others.
The threat is over. The strangers are free. The pack will honour their departure.
My throat tightened. This was it. The end.
When he finished, the pack murmured their agreement, a low, collective sound that rumbled through the clearing. Rivik's gaze found mine again, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us.
I couldn't stand it.
I stepped forward, breaking protocol, and closed the distance between us. Before I could second-guess myself, I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face against his chest.
He went rigid. The pack fell silent.
"Thank you," I whispered, the words thick with emotion. "For everything. For saving us. For giving us a chance."
His hands hovered near my back, uncertain. Then, slowly, they settled against me, light, careful, like he was afraid I'd break.
"Ellie," he murmured, so quietly I almost didn't hear it.
I pulled back before I could say something I'd regret. His expression was carefully blank, but his eyes… God, his eyes were full of so much pain, I gasped.
I don't want to leave you.
The thought came unbidden, sharp and painful. I swallowed it down and stepped back, my hands falling to my sides.
Rivik's gaze lingered on me for a heartbeat longer. Then he turned away, his shoulders straight and his face unreadable.
The sound of footsteps made me turn.
Daska was walking toward me, and my breath caught.
He was fully equipped for travel, pack slung over one shoulder, weapons strapped to his belt, a rolled bedroll secured to hisback. He looked ready to leave. Ready to walk away from everything he'd ever known.
I stared at him, confusion flooding through me. "What are you doing, Daska? We have all our supplies ready."
He stopped in front of me, his expression calm but determined. "I am coming with you."
"What?" I hadn’t heard him right. That was just my heart begging.
