TYLER'S POV
The forest seems to hold its breath. My heart is still hammering from the hunters' arrival—and Emily, standing there, unaware of the danger she's stepping into.
I glance at her. Her pendant glows faintly, but she's only human… not yet. She doesn't fully understand what she's capable of. Not yet.
The hunters aren't ordinary—they never are—but right now, they're calculating, waiting. I smell the tension in the air like smoke. One wrong move and they'll strike.
"Emily," I hiss, pulling her slightly behind me. "We need to move. Quietly. Now."
She hesitates, eyes sharp. "Why are they here? What do they want?"
I hesitate. How much do I tell her? Half-truths are dangerous, full truth… even more so.
"They're hunters," I finally say, my voice low. "And they don't care about rules. About life. They'll take what they want."
Her brow furrows, but she doesn't run. Instead, she steps closer to me. "Then we'll make sure they don't get it," she says, her voice steadier than mine.
A rustle in the trees. Three figures move with predatory grace, circling, but keeping their distance. They're skilled. Dangerous. Experienced.
I press a finger to my lips. "Not yet. Wait for my signal."
Emily's hand brushes mine. It's accidental—or maybe not—but the warmth of it bolts through me. I shake my head. No time for this.
Then, a low growl cuts through the silence—my wolf senses them before I do. Something moves faster than human eyes can catch. The hunters are testing us. Probing.
One misstep… and it could be deadly.
I tighten my jaw. "Stay close," I whisper. "And remember: whatever happens, don't panic. I won't let them take you."
Her eyes meet mine. And for a heartbeat, I almost believe she knows… she's mine. Not fully yet. But enough.
The shadows shift, closing in. And the hunt… has just begun.