20. Aksel

20

AKSEL

W atching Zara across the table, the fireplace's warm glow illuminates her delicate features. She takes a bite of the steak, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as the flavors dance on her tongue. A sense of contentment washes over me, and I am captivated by the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with her.

"This is delicious, Aksel," she says, her green eyes sparkling with appreciation.

I nod, savoring the moment. "I'm glad you enjoy it, littlefugl."

Zara blushes at the affectionate nickname.

We chat about her research, and I listen intently as she explains the intricacies of atmospheric patterns. Her passion for her work is infectious, and I find myself drawn deeper into her world with every word she speaks.

Suddenly, a deafening gunshot pierces the tranquil silence, shattering one of the cabin's windows. Glass rains down around us, and Zara screams, instinctively ducking for cover.

I immediately know it's Tor, the bastard trying to lure me out. Without hesitation, I grab Zara and pull her close, shielding her from potential danger.

"Stay low," I growl, scanning the broken window for movement.

Zara clings to me, her body trembling. The need to get her to safety overwhelms me. Keeping her head down with my hand, I guide her toward the hunting room, the only part of the cabin without windows. I slam the door shut as we enter, locking it behind us.

"Aksel, what's happening?" Zara whispers.

I pull her close, my hands gripping her shoulders firmly. "It's Tor," I growl, anger coursing through my veins. "He's trying to force my hand."

Zara's brow furrows and I can see the questions forming in her mind. But there's no time for explanations, not when she's at risk.

"Listen to me," I say, my voice low and intense. You're going to stay in here until I've dealt with him. No matter what you hear, you stay put. Do you understand?"

I gaze into Zara's eyes, seeing the fear and confusion swirling within. She deserves to know the truth, but revealing the sordid details of my past could shatter the fragile connection we've formed.

"Tor and I..." I begin, struggling to find the words. "Our relationship is complicated, to say the least."

Zara's brow furrows, her lips parting as if to ask a question. But I hold up a hand, silencing her.

"There's a lot about my childhood and upbringing that you don't know," I say. "Things that would make even the strongest recoil in horror."

I can see the curiosity burning in her eyes, but I shake my head firmly.

"Now is not the time for such revelations," I growl. "All that matters is keeping you safe from Tor's twisted games."

A loud thud echoes from outside, and Zara flinches, instinctively pressing closer to me. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her against my chest, savoring the warmth of her body.

"Trust me, little bird," I murmur, my lips grazing her ear. "No matter what happens, I won't let any harm come to you."

Zara nods, her body trembling as another crash resonates through the cabin. I tighten my embrace, determined to shield her from the darkness that has haunted me for far too long.

I release Zara from my embrace and turn toward the wall lined with hunting gear. My fingers trace the cold metal of the knives and rifles, tools I've become intimately familiar with over the years. This is my domain, where I reign supreme as the hunter.

"Promise me you'll stay here," I command, pressing my lips over hers. "Under no circumstances do you leave this room, understood?"

She nods in response.

I quickly don my hunting attire, the familiar weight of the garments a comforting presence. As I strap on my boots, I glimpse Zara huddled in the corner, her arms wrapped around her knees. The sight of her vulnerability tugs at something deep within me. Lastly, I grab my rifle and a hunting knife from the wall.

"Lock the door behind me, baby girl," I breathe, glancing one more time in her direction before stepping back into the cabin. The air is tense, the silence broken only by the occasional thud from outside.

As I approach the front door, I pause, listening intently for any sign of Tor's whereabouts. The bastard is cunning; I'll give him that, but he underestimates the lengths I'll go to protect what's mine.

With a deep breath, I fling open the door and step out into the cool night air. The forest surrounds me, a vast expanse of shadows and potential dangers. But I'm no stranger to this realm. This is my territory, and Tor has just become my prey.

I move silently through the trees, my senses heightened, every fiber of my being attuned to the slightest sound or movement. Tor is out there, somewhere, waiting to strike. But he doesn't know the depths of my determination, the primal fury that courses through my veins.

This is a reckoning long overdue, a settling of scores that should have happened years ago. Tor's actions have sealed his fate, and I won't rest until I've dealt with him.

As I venture deeper into the forest, the shadows close around me, but I remain undeterred. I will emerge victorious, no matter the cost. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

The shadows dance in the pale moonlight filtering through the canopy above. My senses are heightened, every nerve ending alive and alert as I scan the vicinity for signs of Tor.

There! A fresh set of footprints, the indentations in the damp earth leading deeper into the woods. A feral grin tugs at my lips as I recognize Tor's heavy tread. The fool thinks he can outmaneuver me on my own territory.

I follow the trail, my steps silent and measured, the weight of the rifle in my hands a comforting presence.

But then, something catches my eye—another set of footprints leading in the opposite direction toward the cabin. My heart skips a beat as realization dawns on me. Tor's game has turned sinister, and Zara is the sole target.

A primal roar tears from my throat as I whirl around, abandoning Tor's trail and sprinting toward Zara. The trees blur past me, but my focus is unwavering. A single thought consumes my mind: protect my little bird at all costs.

As the cabin comes into view, a scream shatters the silence, a sound that chills my blood and sets every nerve ending ablaze. It's Zara's scream, and it's filled with terror.

I redouble my pace, my lungs burning with exertion, but I push forward, fueled by a fury that knows no bounds. The cabin door looms ahead, and I brace myself for the worst, steeling my resolve for whatever horrors await within.