Page 28 of Her Possessive Minotaurs

I look up at him, surprised by the intensity in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

He smiles softly. “Despite everything you’ve been through, you’re still strong. Still kind.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “It’s... remarkable.”

Warmth floods through me at his words; I feel... seen.

Eventually, exhaustion catches up with me. My eyelids grow heavy as Kael continues to talk softly about herbs and their healing properties.

“Sleep now,” he whispers as he notices me drifting off. “I’ll protect you.”

I nod weakly, feeling safe in his arms. The last thing I remember is Kael’s soothing presence and the quiet strength in his voice as sleep finally claims me.

20

THALOS

The night air feels thick, like a weight pressing down on us. I feel it more now that Laia is with us for her first hunt.

Dark clouds bruise the sky, casting everything in a murky half-light. I move through the underbrush, each step silent and deliberate. Laia follows close behind, her breath steady but tense.

My ears twitch. A rustle—a whisper of movement in the trees. My eyes narrow, scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.

“Stay close,” I growl to Laia, my voice low and rough. I motion for Irix and Kael to spread out. We need to cover more ground without losing our formation.

Irix moves to the right, his axe ready in his hand, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Kael heads left, quieter than a shadow, his focus sharp.

Laia’s hand brushes against my arm. She’s nervous; I can sense it in the way her fingers tremble slightly before pulling back.

“You’ll be fine,” I murmur without looking at her. “Just stay behind me.”

We continue forward, the forest closing in around us like a living entity. The smell of damp earth fills my nostrils, mingling with the faint tang of fear that radiates from Laia.

The darkness feels more oppressive tonight, charged with an energy that sets my teeth on edge. It’s not just a hunt—it’s something more.

I pause again, straining to hear beyond the usual sounds of the forest. There—another rustle, this time closer. My hand tightens on my weapon.

“Laia,” I whisper, turning my head slightly toward her, “if things go south, you run.”

She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off with a glare that brooks no argument. “Run,” I repeat.

Irix appears from the shadows, signaling that he’s found something up ahead. Kael emerges moments later, his expression grim.

“Dark elves,” Kael mutters under his breath. “Scouting party.”

My blood runs cold. We’ve encountered them again—vicious and relentless in their pursuit of Laia.

“We take them out quietly,” I command, keeping my voice low but firm. “No mistakes.”

Laia’s eyes widen with fear, but she nods resolutely.

I grip my weapon tighter and lead the way forward. The darkness feels alive around us, each step echoing with the unspoken promise of violence.

Tonight will be different. Tonight we must be swift and silent—no room for error.

Laia grips her blade, her heart pounding in her chest as she falls in step behind me. The weight of the forest presses in on us, the stillness before the storm palpable. Something is coming. My instincts scream it.

The attack comes like a thunderclap. Dark elves explode from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice. Blades clash in the eerie light, and the forest erupts into chaos.

I roar, meeting the first attacker with a brutal swing of my axe, sending them crashing into the dirt. Blood sprays, painting the leaves red. Another elf lunges at me, but I sidestep and drive my fist into their face, feeling bones crack under my knuckles.

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