Page 25 of Savage Bond

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to shoot back something sharp in return. He might have saved me from that creature, but he doesn’t get to act like he’s doing me any favors.

The jungle wraps around us like a suffocating blanket as we move in silence. Kairon leads the way, his broad shoulders cutting through the dense underbrush with ease. I follow, my legs feeling like lead weights, each step dragging me deeper into despair. My body trembles—not just from fatigue but from a nagging realization that gnaws at my insides.

He’s right. I barely lasted minutes alone. The thought stings, sharper than any blade he carries. I want to scream at him for mocking me, but the words die on my lips. What would be the point?

I scan the thick trees, their twisting branches casting shadows that flicker ominously in the low light. Every rustle makes my heart race, every shift in the air sends adrenaline flooding through me. Out here, all my training means nothing. Back in the IHC halls of power, I could strategize and calculate; here, instinct and survival take precedence—and I’m failing at both.

What happened to that ambitious junior lieutenant ready to conquer challenges head-on? She’s buried beneath layers of jungle muck and self-doubt.

Plans to rise through the ranks feel like delusions now, foolish dreams that evaporate in the heat of this damned planet. The weight of my family’s failures clings to me like damp clothing, reminding me of everything I’m trying to escape. My palms sweat as I brush away thoughts of home—of their disappointment mingled with shame.

Kairon stops abruptly at a fallen log blocking our path, his silhouette framed against the fading light filtering through leaves above. He turns slightly; those crimson eyes lock onto mine.

“Move,” he says flatly, as if my struggles are inconsequential.

I swallow hard, fighting back resentment. There’s no use arguing; it’ll only remind me how vulnerable I am.

With a grunt, he vaults over the log effortlessly. I follow suit but stumble slightly on landing—a reminder that every action carries weight here. My muscles scream in protest as I force myself forward.

As we approach camp, shadows deepen around us like gathering storms. A sense of foreboding fills the air; whatever small sense of security we had is gone.

Kairon moves about our camp with confidence while anxiety churns within me like an untamed beast. Alone in this wilderness with him feels both exhilarating and terrifying—the thin line between predator and prey blurring with each passing moment.

A pulse of frustration surges through me as I watch him methodically check our gear. Every part of me wants to shove him away, prove that I don’t need his help—but reality tells a different story. My heart races with anger and something else—something that coils tight in my stomach whenever he’s near.

“We need to keep moving. It’s crucial that we try to find a relay beacon… or even any signs of a nearby settlement that could offer us shelter and safety,” I assert, my voice slightly quavering, betraying the uncertainty that lurks beneath my brave facade. It sounds almost pitiful to my own ears, a reminder of the vulnerability I desperately wish to conceal.

“Fine. Get your shit together. We move in five,” Kairon snaps back, his tone sharp enough to slice through the thick tension hanging between us. There’s an edge to his voice, a command that brooks no argument, and I can feel my skin prickle in response.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to swallow down the rising tide of irritation and resignation swirling within me. He’s right, of course; I can’t afford to dwell on how deeply I despise being tethered to him in this vast wilderness. Yet, despite my frustration, I know that he is the only thing standing between me and the unforgiving jungle that threatens to swallow me whole. The reality of that truth gnaws at me, amplifying my heart’s frantic rhythm as I wrestle with the conflicting emotions thattwist within—anger, helplessness, and an undeniable awareness of how much I rely on him to survive in this situation.

CHAPTER 15

KAIRON

The sun filters through the thick foliage, casting slanted, golden shafts of light that cut into the oppressive heat. Sweat clings to my skin like a second layer, slick and uncomfortable. I move with practiced ease, the salvaged plasma blade humming softly as it slices through the underbrush. Each swing is brutal and efficient; silence is my ally in this relentless jungle.

Ava lags behind me, her pace faltering. The torn muscle in her thigh slows her down, and I can hear her sharp breaths mingling with the cacophony of insects buzzing around us. Sweat trickles down her face, glistening on her freckled skin. She clenches her jaw, defiance flickering in her hazel eyes.

I push forward but keep an ear tuned to her struggle. She stumbles once—her foot catches on a root—and I instinctively turn to catch her elbow.

“Easy,” I murmur.

But she jerks away before I can steady her.

“You’re bleeding again,” I state flatly, eyeing the fresh crimson stain on her cargo pants that darkens with every step.

“Then don’t look.” Her voice is strained but laced with defiance.

I snort, not bothering to hide my annoyance. It’s irritating how she refuses help when it’s clear she needs it.

We continue moving through the thick jungle air, pushing deeper into this alien world that threatens to swallow us whole. Ava’s stubbornness irritates me more than it should; she fights against every challenge even as it wears her down. A part of me respects that tenacity—maybe even admires it—but right now, it's a liability.

The sun hangs high, unyielding as the jungle hums with life around us—a chorus of chirps and rustles that feels almost mocking in its vibrancy compared to our struggle. I press on ahead, hoping to find some semblance of shelter or safety soon.

Ava stumbles again, this time cursing under her breath as she bites back another wince of pain.

“Keep moving,” I say sharply without turning back to look at her.

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