The forest was silent, the only sound your own ragged breathing as you pressed yourself against the rough bark of a tree. You had been running for what felt like hours, but you knew he was still out there.

Your heart slammed against your ribs as you moved, slipping through the trees, careful, quiet. But not quiet enough.

Something strong and unyielding crashed into you from behind, knocking you off balance. Before you could react, you were slammed against the ground, the weight of a body pinning you down.

Jacob’s breath was hot against your ear, his grip firm, unrelenting.

“Took me longer than I expected,” he muttered, his voice low and rough, laced with something almost amused. “But I always catch what’s mine.”