This was her sanctuary.

Or so she told herself.

She had to stay focused. Her mission wasn’t to indulge in dangerous fantasies. She was here to survive, to stay hidden, to make sure the war between elves and werewolves didn’t find its way to this unsuspecting town.

But her thoughts kept drifting back to Kael.

The way he moved—calm, unreadable. The way he spoke—firm but never cruel. He wasn’t like the wolves she had been taught to fear. That made him far more dangerous.

The next few days passed in a blur. Rynaria moved like a ghost, quiet and measured. She slipped through the market during daylight, never lingering, always watching. And every night, she returned to the house with her hood still up and her heart still racing.

But then—on the third day—she saw him again.

It was late afternoon, and the sun cast long shadows through the town square. Kael was leaning against a lamppost, arms crossed, eyes scanning the crowd. Relaxed. Observant. Present.

Like he belonged there.

Rynaria’s breath hitched. Her first instinct was to flee. She ducked behind a vegetable cart, heart pounding, cursing the speed of her pulse.

But it was too late.

Kael had already seen her.

“Princess,” he called out.

His voice wasn’t mocking. Just... certain.

Rynaria froze.

She turned slowly, her hood still pulled low. But he was already walking toward her, eyes fixed on hers with that same unreadable calm.

“I told you I’d be watching,” he said, stopping just a few feet away. “Did you think I wouldn’t find you?”

She hesitated. Her throat was dry.

“I’m not here to cause trouble,” he added. “But I’m not going anywhere, either.”

The space between them felt too tight. Too charged. She should’ve run. She didn’t.

“Why are you following me?” she asked, trying to sound firm.

Kael’s smirk faded into something softer. “I’m not following you, princess. I’m... intrigued.”

The way he said it sent a ripple through her chest. No threat. No challenge. Just the weight of a truth she wasn’t ready to face.

And when he stepped closer, the scent of earth and wolf filled the space between them.