Selene POV
I took a deep breath, trying to think fast. The parachute was barely holding us, and the branches beneath my feet felt like they could snap at any second.
"Axel, we need to climb down before this thing gives out," I said, scanning our surroundings for a way to descend safely.
Before he could respond, a sharp crack echoed through the air. The branch under Axel gave way.
"Axel!" I screamed, watching him slip.
For a moment, time slowed. He reached out, his fingers barely brushing mine before he plummeted. My stomach twisted in horror as I lunged forward, trying to grab onto him.
But gravity had other plans. The branch beneath me snapped, and I was falling too.
Wind roared in my ears as the world blurred around me. I braced for impact, expecting the worst. But instead of hitting hard ground, I crashed into something solid—Axel.
We tumbled down, rolling through thick mud before coming to a stop. I gasped for air, feeling the weight of him partially on top of me.
For a few seconds, neither of us moved. Then Axel groaned, shifting slightly.
"That was... not part of the plan," he muttered, his voice rough but amused.
I shoved him off me, ignoring the way my body ached. "You absolute idiot! I told you to let go!"
He let out a breathless chuckle, wiping mud from his face. "Yeah, but look at us—still alive."
I scowled at him, pushing myself up to sit. My wrist throbbed—probably a minor fracture. Axel winced as he moved his leg.
"Are you hurt?" I asked, concern slipping into my voice despite my irritation.
"Nothing broken, just bruised," he replied, stretching his arm before glancing at me. His expression softened. "You okay?"
I nodded, though every part of me ached. "We need to get moving. We don't know who else is out here."
Axel smirked, shaking his head. "You're covered in mud, limping, and still acting like a damn soldier."
I shot him a glare. "And you're still annoying me. Some things never change."
He laughed, pushing himself up. "Come on, let's get out of here before something worse happens."
I let out a breath, forcing myself to my feet. This mission was far from over, and somehow, I knew Axel wasn't going to make it easy.
A distant growl echoed through the trees, making my skin prickle. I tightened my grip on the small knife strapped to my belt.
Axel tensed. "Okay… that didn't sound like a friendly neighborhood squirrel."
I rolled my eyes. "No kidding. Now, let's go."
We pushed through the dense forest, our steps quick but cautious. The air grew colder, and the sky was turning a deep shade of orange. The realization hit me—we were stuck here for the night.
"We need to find a safe spot before we lose all daylight," I said.
Axel scanned the surroundings and pointed at a massive tree with thick branches. "We'll climb that big tree tonight."
I raised an eyebrow. "You want us to sleep on a tree?"
He smirked. "Unless you prefer cuddling with whatever just growled at us."
I let out a sharp breath, glancing at the fading sunlight. He had a point. Staying on the ground was too risky.
"Fine," I muttered. "But if you fall in your sleep, I'm not climbing down to save you."
Axel chuckled as he grabbed a low branch and hoisted himself up. "Don't worry, sweetheart. If I fall, I'll make sure to take you with me."
I shot him a glare before following him up. The night in this jungle was going to be long.
We sat as close as possible on the thick branch, our backs pressed against the sturdy trunk as the darkness consumed everything around us. The jungle was alive with eerie sounds—distant growls, rustling leaves, and the occasional screech of an unknown creature. I could barely see Axel, but his warmth beside me was unmistakable.
"Do you know, Selene," Axel's voice broke the silence, laced with amusement, "I'm spending the night with a woman. So maybe my marriage will be canceled because of you."
I crossed my arms, ignoring the weird flutter in my chest. "Focus, Axel. Do you really think we'll survive this?"
I shifted slightly on the branch, trying to find a comfortable position. The night air was cool, and exhaustion was beginning to creep in after everything that had happened. Axel let out a sigh beside me.
"Can I sleep like this?" he asked, already leaning toward me. "Just for a while. I'll rest my head on your lap, okay?"
I frowned but didn't push him away. "Fine. But don't get used to it."
He chuckled, adjusting himself until his head rested against my thighs. His breathing evened out quickly, as if he wasn't stranded in the middle of nowhere with wild animals lurking in the shadows.
I sat still, staring into the darkness, my hand hovering uncertainly over his hair. He looked peaceful, completely at ease despite the situation. It was frustrating how unaffected he seemed by danger.
After what felt like hours, I felt movement. Axel stirred, blinking up at me with a lazy smirk.
"Your turn," he murmured, sitting up and patting his lap.
I scoffed. "Yeah, right."
"Come on, Selene," he said smoothly. "We had a deal."
I hesitated. I wasn't the type to let my guard down, but exhaustion was weighing heavy on me. With a small huff, I shifted, resting my head on his lap.
"Just wake me up if something happens," I mumbled, closing my eyes.
Axel's voice was softer this time. "I will."