Chapter 222

Jacob's Perspective The campfire crackled, its strength fading until only deep red embers remained, breathing softly in the darkness. Celena had curled up beside the dying fire and fallen asleep. Moonlight washed over her face, tracing impossibly soft lines. Her long lashes cast faint shadows on her cheeks, and a few strands of brown hair clung to her slightly parted lips. God, she was so beautiful it made my heart ache. I wished I could stay right here, like this, shielding her from all the storms and trouble forever. Exhaustion finally claimed us both. In the dead of night, the temperature plummeted, the raw chill of the wilderness seeping into our bones. Driven by some wolf-instinct, or maybe just our bodies unconsciously seeking familiar warmth and comfort—when I felt a warm form press against me in my half-asleep state, my arms opened almost on their own. She settled into the space I offered, her head pillowed on my chest, her arm curling naturally around my waist.