The following morning, pale rays of sunlight struggled through the clouds as Ruelle rode through the forest with Lucian seated behind her. His arms rested loosely around her as he held the reins, enclosing her within the quiet warmth of his body while the horse carried them deeper between the trees. Though Ruelle knew she could have ridden a horse perfectly well on her own, she didn't mind sharing one with Lucian.
Though they weren't alone.
The steady rhythm of hooves carried through the otherwise quiet forest, mingling with the occasional rustle of leaves and distant calls of birds. Dane, Lachlan, Hailey and Caroline had ridden farther ahead, while Edward and Hermes remained within Ruelle's view in front of them. Somewhere behind, Peyton followed at a more leisurely distance.
