Page 24

Adrian

I woke slowly, my mind drifting between dreams and reality. The warmth of the plane’s cabin wrapped around me in a way that felt different, comforting, and safe.

The ceiling above me blurred as last night played through my mind.

Elena.

Her lips, her touch, the way she melted perfectly between us.

We hadn’t rushed her and hadn’t taken things too far.

And I didn’t care.

I didn’t need more.

Not yet.

I glanced down, my chest tightening at the sight of her curled up against me, her breathing soft and even.

Her body was so small against mine, fragile yet strong, the same quiet resilience I had always admired in her.

Troy was behind her, on his back, one arm resting lazily over the blanket, his face completely at peace in sleep.

I smiled, shaking my head at the sheer impossibility of all this. I had spent years ignoring her. Pushing her away. And now, I couldn’t imagine a world where she wasn’t mine or ours . Troy and I had never shared a girl. I’d never done that with anyone, but I didn’t hate this. Not even close. It made me feel like I’d finally found something I’d been missing. It made me feel whole.

A part of me still felt like I was dreaming. That this would all shatter the second the real world found us again and tugged us back to reality. For now, for this moment, she was here, so I tried to stay focused on that.

And that was enough for the time being, at least.

I exhaled softly, brushing a piece of hair from her face before carefully slipping from beneath her.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

I adjusted her gently, tucking the pillow beneath her head before reaching for my boots and coat.

The cabin was still dim, the fire burning low, so I grabbed a few sticks of wood and tossed them into the flames before heading outside.

The cold hit me instantly, the crisp morning air biting at my face as I exhaled a misty breath and moved toward the traps.

The first one was empty. So was the second. The third was knocked over, probably from the wind.

I clenched my jaw, my stomach sinking with disappointment.

But when I reached the fourth trap, I froze.

Two rabbits.

Caught, struggling, but trapped.

A slow, triumphant grin spread across my face.

“Holy shit.” I pulled my knife free, my heart pounding with adrenaline as I ended them quickly, murmuring a quiet apology beneath my breath before heading back toward the plane.

This was it.

This was hope.

The smell of cooked meat filled the cabin, rich, mouthwatering and real. It had felt like forever since we’d had a decent meal. I knew Troy noticed our weight loss, too. Especially Elena. She was small, to begin with, but the bones in her face were becoming more dominant. I didn’t like that and wanted to ensure she had more to eat than I did. Troy and I were pure muscle. It wouldn’t be a huge issue if we dropped a few pounds. But her? So delicate and small? It mattered.

For the first time since the crash, we were eating something other than crackers or rationed scraps, though. It was the first stroke of luck we’d had since discovering we’d survived.

Troy stirred first, his nose twitching as he took in the scent.

His eyes cracked open, unfocused, before they landed on me, crouched near the fire, cooking the rabbit meat in the cleaned-out bowl we had been using for washing.

I watched as understanding dawned, his green eyes flicking from the fire to the meat to the satisfied smirk on my face.

And then, slowly, a grin spread across his lips.

“No way.”

I chuckled. “Oh yeah. Two of them. I decided we deserved breakfast.”

Troy shot out of bed, crossing the cabin in a few steps before grabbing me by the shoulders and hugging me hard, clapping me roughly on the back.

“Adrian, you beautiful, stubborn bastard.”

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head as he pulled back.

Movement from the raft caught my attention, and I turned just in time to see Elena pushing up onto her elbows, her eyes still hazy with sleep.

She blinked at me, the fire and the food, before her lips parted in soft disbelief.

“You caught something?” she asked.

I nodded, and she smiled.

Something in my chest shifted.

That smile. That pure, unguarded happiness directed at me. I didn’t think. Didn’t stop myself.

I went to her, cupped her face, and kissed her deeply.

She made a surprised sound against my lips but didn’t pull away.

She melted into me, soft, warm, and perfect, and I forgot everything for a long moment .

Forgot the cold. Forgot the wreckage around us. I forgot we were stranded.

All I knew was her.

I pulled back slightly, my forehead against hers, my breathing uneven.

Troy chuckled behind me. “Guess he thought he’d have dessert before breakfast.”

I shot him a look, but Elena just laughed, melodic and sweet. I realized right then and there she was it.

I had been denying it for too long. Running from it. Running from her.

Not anymore, though. I was here, and there wasn’t a force on Earth that could pry me away.

I pulled back fully and smirked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’ve got a good breakfast for you,” I murmured.

Her eyes lit up, and she grinned, making my heart clench.

She sat up as I grabbed a plate from the plane's storage, doling out some meat and crackers before handing it to her.

I watched her closely as she took her first bite, my stomach twisting as her expression melted into relief.

She devoured her portion, and we let her. I even gave her some of mine. Troy gave me a knowing look and spooned a bit of meat from his plate onto mine so we’d both get equal portions.

She needed it more than we did.

Troy and I exchanged a silent look before digging into our food.

For the first time in days, my stomach felt full.

Hope felt real and not a fleeting thought.

Troy and I moved toward the traps. The sun struggled to break through the thick clouds, casting everything in a dull gray haze .

“We’ll replace the granola in the fourth cage and set them back up,” I murmured, adjusting my gloves.

Troy nodded. “Things are looking up.”

I glanced at him, raising a brow. “You almost sound optimistic.”

He exhaled, then turned to face me, his expression serious.

“I’ve been thinking,” he admitted.

I tensed. “That’s dangerous.”

He snorted. “I want to go for a walk.”

I frowned. “Troy?—”

“Just to see if I can get past the trees. Get a vantage point.”

My stomach tightened.

“That’s dangerous,” I said, echoing my earlier words. “What if you get lost or attacked by a fucking wild animal? Or hurt?” The list of possibilities flooded my mind.

Troy sighed, tugging his hat down firmer on his head. “Things are good right now, Adrian. But that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. It’s one day. I want more of them.”

I hesitated.

He had a point. It didn’t make me any less uneasy.

Finally, reluctantly, I nodded. He was right. We had to try.

“Fine. But be careful.” I held my pinky out to him.

Troy grinned and hooked his pinky with mine. “Always.”

We stepped back into the plane to find Elena waiting.

She sat on the raft, worry evident in her eyes, and when she saw Troy grab his backpack, her brows furrowed.

Troy walked to her immediately, crouching in front of her as I took his bag from him.

“I’m going to check things out,” he said gently. “Just to get an idea of what’s out there.”

Elena’s frown deepened. “Troy?— ”

He cupped her face, pressing a soft kiss to her lips before pulling back.

“I’ll be back soon,” he promised.

Her hands gripped his sleeves, and I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She was clearly running the possibilities and dangers over in her head, too. After a moment, she nodded, relenting.

I handed Troy the backpack of supplies I had thrown together and we hooked pinkies.

He took it the bag, clapping me on the back.

“Take care of her.”

Then, voice lower, he added, “In all ways.”

I swallowed hard, nodding.

If that’s what Elena wanted, I would. I wouldn’t push her on it.

We watched him go, disappearing into the trees, and when I turned back, I saw the worry still etched into her pretty face.

I went to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” I promised.

I didn’t know if it was true.

But I’d do everything in my power to make sure it was.