Shaan struggled to catch his breath. His heart pounded harder with every step as he sprinted toward the massive doorway. They had almost reached it. Just a little farther, and they could finally catch the Resistance leader.
"Come on, Shaan!" Chelsie called over her shoulder when she glanced back at him. "We're almost th—"
"Elsie, look out!"
A giant black wolf suddenly lunged from the side, charging straight at Chelsie. The monstrous beast threw its jaws wide open, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs. Without thinking, Shaan grabbed Chelsie's hand and yanked her toward him. The wolf's jaws snapped shut where she had stood only a heartbeat earlier.
"Chelsie, are you—"
Shaan froze the moment their faces ended up inches apart. Their eyes met, and neither of them spoke for several seconds.
"Oh... uh..." He immediately let go of her hand and took a hurried step back. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward."
