CHAPTER 11- CENTER OF THE SWAMP

ALAENA’S POV

It felt peaceful.

The center of the swamp.

Here, the world seemed to exhale, releasing a quiet stillness that wrapped around me like a comforting embrace.

I closed my eyes, breathing in the damp, earthy scent of the water, feeling the cool mud beneath my trembling fingers.

The distant croak of a frog and the occasional ripple of something unseen moving in the water barely disturbed the peace.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I let myself be still, listening to the soft swooshing of the breeze as it wound through the trees, carrying with it the promise of rest in healing.

Roy’s breaths were heavy, his muscles were probably burning from carrying my frail body through the swamp, but he didn’t stop—not until he reached the clearing at its center.

Gently, he lowered me ont……