Semua Bab Moonbound desire : Bab 11 - Bab 20

Chapter 11 - Into the UnknownSelene hit the water like a stone.The icy river swallowed her whole, tearing the breath from her lungs. The current seized her, dragging her beneath the surface. Darkness closed in, her body tumbling through the roaring chaos.She fought, kicking hard, but the water was relentless, yanking her deeper. Her lungs burned. The cold seeped into her bones.Then—fingers brushed hers.Ronan.She reached for him, but the current wrenched them apart.No. No, no, no—A jagged rock loomed ahead. She twisted, barely avoiding it, only for another to slam into her ribs. Pain exploded through her side. The world blurred.Then—light.The current spat her out, tossing her violently onto the riverbank. She crashed against the mud, coughing, gasping. Water poured from her mouth as she dragged in a ragged breath.The river roared beside her, its icy fingers still trying to pull her back. But she was out. She was alive.Selene forced herself onto her hands and knees, her body

Selene paced the length of the cabin, her mind spinning.The stranger’s words echoed in her head.Turn yourself in… or watch innocent people suffer.Her brother was ruthless, but she had never imagined he would go this far. The thought of entire villages burning just to lure her out made her stomach churn.But surrendering? That wasn’t an option.If she gave herself up, she wouldn’t survive long enough to make a difference. Worse, Ronan wouldn’t survive either. Her brother wouldn’t just kill him—he’d make an example of him.Her hands clenched into fists. There had to be another way.A low groan pulled her from her thoughts.Ronan.He was slumped against the wall, his breathing uneven, his face paler than before. Sweat dampened his dark hair, and the bandages wrapped around his torso were soaked through with fresh blood.Selene’s heart clenched. He’s getting worse.She crossed the room in seconds and dropped to her knees beside him. “Ronan.”He exhaled shakily but forced a smirk. “You

The night air was thick with the scent of blood and damp earth. The bodies of the fallen soldiers lay motionless around them, their cooling flesh a stark reminder of the trap they had barely escaped.Selene wiped the sweat from her brow, her heart still hammering in her chest. Too close. They had almost been caught, almost been killed. And now, they had no choice but to keep running.Cassian was already pulling the last of the bodies into the underbrush, his movements quick and practiced. “This won’t buy us much time,” he muttered. “If they don’t check in soon, more will come looking.”Varian sheathed his bloodied dagger, his sharp gaze scanning the treeline. “Then we need to be gone before they do.”Selene turned to Ronan, worry tightening in her chest. He was breathing heavily, a hand pressed against his side where his earlier wound had reopened. Too much strain. Too much blood loss.“You’re getting worse,” she said, stepping toward him.“I’m fine,” Ronan ground out, but his stance

The scent of blood and smoke hung thick in the air as Selene crouched beside Ronan, her fingers pressing against his chest to check for injuries. His breathing was labored, but steady—for now. He had fought fiercely, despite his wounds, but she could see exhaustion settling in his sharp features. The attack had been too precise, too calculated. Someone had led them into this.A few feet away, Cassian wiped his blade clean, his golden eyes flicking toward the darkened tree line. “They won’t stop hunting us,” he muttered. “We got lucky this time, but next time—”“Next time, we’ll be ready,” Varian interrupted, standing with his arms crossed. His eyes glinted with suspicion as he turned toward Cassian. “If you’re not planning on leading us into another trap, that is.”Cassian’s expression darkened. “Watch your mouth.”Selene exhaled sharply. “Enough. Both of you.” She looked between them, frustration simmering beneath her skin. “We don’t have time for this. We need to get as far away fro

The forest was eerily silent as dawn crept closer, the sky shifting from black to deep violet. Selene sat near the fire, knees pulled to her chest, staring at the flickering flames. Elias’s words echoed in her mind.“You have until sunrise to decide.”She glanced at Ronan. He was unconscious, his breathing shallow. The fever had worsened. His wound—though bandaged—still bled sluggishly. If they ran, he wouldn’t survive long.A soft rustling broke her thoughts. Cassian crouched beside her, his golden eyes reflecting the firelight. “You’re not actually considering surrendering, are you?”Selene clenched her jaw. “If I don’t, Ronan will die.”Cassian’s expression darkened. “And if you do, we all die.”Varian, who had been sharpening his daggers nearby, let out a scoff. “He’s right. You know what your brother is capable of. You think he’ll let you live?”Selene inhaled sharply. Of course she knew. Elias didn’t offer mercy—he offered illusions. He wanted her back under his control, but he