The laughter still echoed in Abigail's ears long after she left the riverbank. The path into the forest was dimly lit by torches, but beyond them, the trees swallowed the light. She walked quickly, clutching the damp hem of her dress, her bare feet brushing against moss and roots. The air was cooler here, scented with pine and earth, the silence broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl.
She wanted to disappear, just for a while. The nobles' sneers, Selene's smirk, the weight of being unwanted pressed down on her chest until it felt like she could hardly breathe. She stopped near an ancient oak, its trunk wide enough to shelter her from view, and sank against it with a shaky sigh.
But the forest was never truly empty.
A twig snapped. Abigail stiffened, her heart lurching into her throat. From the shadows, figures emerged three young wolves from the pack, boys barely older than her but cruel in their arrogance. Their laughter was low and mocking.
"Well, well," one sneered. "The little omega ran to hide in the woods. How fitting."
"Look at her dress," another chuckled. "Stained like a beggar. No wonder the Alpha ignores her."
Abigail swallowed hard, trying to rise, but they closed in. One of them caught her wrist, yanking her forward. Her breath caught in fear. "Please...let me go."
"Or what?" the boy taunted, leaning closer, his breath sour with ale. "You'll cry for help? Who would come for you?"
A growl shattered the air. Deep. Fierce. It rolled through the trees like thunder.
The boys froze, their bravado melting in an instant. From the shadows stepped Steve, his eyes burning gold in the moonlight. The tension in his body was palpable, his wolf simmering just beneath his skin.
"Touch her again," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "and I'll tear your throats out."
The boys stumbled back, muttering excuses, before vanishing into the darkness, their courage gone. Silence reclaimed the forest.
Abigail's knees trembled. She pressed back against the oak, unable to meet his gaze. "You....you shouldn't have"
"Shouldn't have what?" Steve snapped, though the anger wasn't meant for her. His fists unclenched slowly. His breathing was rough, controlled with effort.
Abigail lowered her head. "Drawn attention. They'll talk…"
Steve took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, the faint scent of pine and smoke clinging to him. For a heartbeat, his hand hovered near her arm, as if he wanted to touch her, to reassure her. But he pulled back sharply, retreating into the safety of distance.
"Stay out of the woods alone," he muttered, turning away. "Some dangers even I can't protect you from."
Then he was gone, swallowed by the trees, leaving Abigail staring after him, torn between gratitude and despair.
The forest whispered around her, the night heavy with secrets.