Page 17 of Obsessed

"Hey, ugly!" Davrik taunts, his voice steady despite the danger. "Pick on someone your own size!"

The beast lunges again, but Davrik's ready. He sidesteps, using the creature's momentum against it. In a flash, he's on its back, arms locked around its thick neck.

"That's right," he grunts, tightening his hold. "Let's dance, you overgrown furball."

The beast thrashes wildly, trying to shake Davrik off. They crash through the underbrush, a whirlwind of fur and flailing limbs. I can barely breathe, my heart in my throat as I watch the struggle.

Finally, Davrik manages to slam the beast into the trunk of a nearby tree. The impact stuns it, and he leaps clear, putting himself between me and the creature once more.

"Get out of here!" Davrik roars, his chest heaving. "This is our territory, understand?"

The beast snarls, but there's hesitation in its eyes now. It takes a step back, then another. With a final, baleful glare, it turns and lopes off into the forest.

My heart still races as I watch the beast disappear into the forest. The danger's passed, but adrenaline courses through myveins. Before I can think twice, I throw my arms around Davrik, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you," I breathe, my face pressed against his chest. "You saved my life."

Davrik stiffens for a moment, then awkwardly pats my back. "Don't mention it," he mumbles.

I pull back, suddenly aware of how close we are. "And you didn't even hurt it," I add, smiling up at him. "That was incredible."

He raises an eyebrow. "You're worried about that thing? It nearly turned us into lunch."

"Well, yes, but..." I bite my lip. "It's just trying to survive, like everything else on this planet. We're in its territory, after all."

Davrik shakes his head, a mix of amusement and disbelief on his face. "Your priorities are... interesting, Alice."

I feel my cheeks flush. "I know it sounds silly, but every creature here is part of a delicate ecosystem. Even the dangerous ones."

"If you say so," he says, his tone skeptical. He looks me over, concern flickering in his green eyes. "You're not hurt, are you?"

I do a quick self-assessment. "Just a few scratches from the underbrush. Nothing serious." I glance at the gashes on his chest. "But you're bleeding! We should get back to the station and?—"

He waves off my concern. "I've had worse. It'll heal. Kaledians heal fast."

We start walking back, the forest suddenly feeling more ominous than before. Davrik keeps scanning our surroundings, on high alert.

"I don't get it," he says after a while. "How have you survived out here on your own for so long?"

I shrug, stepping over a gnarled root. "Careful observation, mostly. Learning the patterns of the wildlife, avoiding theirterritories when possible." I pause, remembering all the close calls. "And a fair bit of luck, I suppose."

Davrik snorts. "Luck. Right." He glances at me, something unreadable in his expression. "You know, most people would've packed up and left after the first near-death experience."

"I'm not most people," I reply, a hint of pride in my voice. "This work is too important to abandon just because it's dangerous."

"Clearly," he mutters. Then, louder, "Well, consider me your personal bodyguard from now on. Can't have you getting eaten before your precious research is done."

I laugh, the tension from our encounter finally starting to ease. "My hero," I tease. "But really, Davrik. Thank you. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't there."

He clears his throat, looking uncomfortable with the praise. "Let's just get back to the station. I could use a drink after that excitement."

Back at the station, I insist on patching Davrik up, despite his protests. "Come on, tough guy. Even Kaledians need a little antibiotic gel sometimes."

He sighs, relenting. "Fine. But make it quick."

I gather my first aid supplies and gesture for him to sit. As I clean the gashes on his chest, I can't help but notice the firm muscles beneath my fingers. My cheeks warm, and I focus intently on the task at hand.

"This might sting a bit," I warn, applying antiseptic.

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