The Wendigo's Girl

Previously

…Elara’s legs felt weak, but she stood her ground. She looked at Kael, at the wildness that still lingered in his eyes, at the shadow of the beast that clung to him, and she felt no fear. Only a profound, aching certainty. “I couldn’t let it hurt you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper, yet filled with an unwavering resolve. Kael stared at her, his expression unreadable. The unspoken question hung between them: what was this connection, this pull that defied logic and defied fear? The shadow had retreated, but the darkness, and the undeniable bond it had forged between them, remained. The forest held its breath, waiting to see what they would do next.