Page 13 of Love At First Roar
“Callum!”
The vines yanked her forward, dragging her toward the trees at the edge of the trail. She kicked, tried to twist free, but theycoiled tighter, climbing up her legs like snakes with somewhere to be.
Callum didn’t think. He lunged forward, claws itching beneath his skin as he dropped low and gripped one of the vines near her knees. With a snarl, he tore it free and yanked her out of the tangle, arms braced around her waist. Her back hit his chest hard, knocking the breath from both of them.
She clutched his arms, trembling.
The vines hissed as if alive, then slithered back into the ground, disappearing beneath the cracked soil like they had never been there.
Callum held her a moment longer than necessary. Her breath came in sharp bursts. His heart pounded against her spine.
“What the hell was that?” she gasped.
He steadied her, then let go and stepped back. “The town.”
Cora turned to face him, eyes wide. “It attacked me.”
“No. It was warning us.” He scanned the treeline, every hair on his arms standing upright. “Something’s wrong.”
“Why didn’t it pull you?”
He met her gaze. “Because I belong here.”
Her mouth dropped slightly, then shut with a click.
“Real subtle,” she said, voice low.
“You think I’m wrong?” he challenged.
She squared her shoulders. “I think the forest has a sense of humor and you just don’t get the joke. Plus I don’t see how you are the only one in the entire town already with a grudge against me.”
Callum growled, stalking a few paces away before turning back. “You don’t understand how much is at risk.”
“And you think I don’t care?” Her voice cracked. “I didn’t come here to hurt anyone.”
“You’re shaking the Veil whether you mean to or not. People notice. Magic notices.”
“I didn’t ask for this, it was an accident,” she snapped.
“And I didn’t ask to be your babysitter.”
The silence that followed was sharper than his claws.
Cora’s chest heaved. “You think I like being watched? Followed? Judged before I even open my mouth?”
Callum didn’t speak. He just looked at her. And it hit him that she wasn’t just upset. She was scared. And underneath the stubborn chin and fiery words, she was alone.
She turned, muttering, “Forget it. I’ll go back.”
Callum grabbed her wrist gently, fingers curling around her pulse. “Cora.”
She stopped.
He softened his voice. “You’re not a threat. I don’t think that. But I have to make sure no one gets hurt. That includes you.”
Her eyes flicked up to his, glassy now but steady. “Then stop walking behind me like I’m a problem waiting to happen.”
Callum hesitated, then nodded once. “Alright.”
