Chloe’s pov
Ted carried Harley in his arms, his large hands holding her securely against his broad chest. His knuckles were bruised, a trickle of dark blood drying at the corner of his swollen lip. Harley’s little face was pale, her arms wrapped tight around his neck as she buried her nose into his shoulder.
"Uncle Ted..." Harley whimpered, her voice small and trembling. "Your lip is bleeding."
"It's just a scratch, sweet girl," Ted rumbled softly, his deep voice calm and steady despite the heavy rise and fall of his broad chest. "Nothing to worry about."
We didn't linger in the market square. We moved fast down the quiet side streets of Moonlight Town, keeping to the shadows of the stone walls until the town center faded behind us.
Ten minutes later, we reached the secluded timber ca
