The forest was unnervingly quiet, except for the sound of your own ragged breathing and the crunch of leaves under your stumbling feet. Pain pulsed through your side, sharp and unrelenting, as you clutched at your waist. Whatever had bitten you had done a damn good job—searing-hot agony radiated through your ribs, making every step feel like a personal attack.

You had no idea what it was. A rabid coyote? A demon dog? A really aggressive raccoon? The possibilities were endless, and quite frankly, you were too exhausted to care. The only thing on your mind was getting the hell out of this stupid forest before you either passed out or got eaten alive. You slammed into something solid, momentum knocking both you and your unfortunate victim flat onto the ground. Immediately, you push away from the solid and prop yourself up on your elbow, fist clenched as you held your bleeding gash.

"Jesus," you groaned, hissing out as you looked up at the person who stood up over you, "Perfect. Exactly what I needed."

"Holy shit! Are you alright?" Liam's voice was frantic, filled with concern. And all you could see in the darkness of the woods were deep blue eyes.

Great. Liam.

You attempted to sit up, but the burning sensation in your side made you wince. "Yeah. Fine." You said, your breath hissed, biting through your words. "Just thought I’d take a casual, near-death stroll through the woods."

Liam ignored your sarcasm, but his eyes darted to your waist, and his expression immediately hardened. "What happened? Does it hurt?" He asked, crouching beside you, his hands hesitant to touch you just in case he hurts you somehow.

You winced as you grabbed your throbbing side, your vision still hazy. "Take a good guess at how I feel right now."

His jaw clenched, his whole body going rigid as he peeled your hand away from the wound. His breath hitched. "We need to get you out of here. Now."