Page 25 of Samuel
My fingers brushed the edge of the bed, the warmth already fading. If he was determined to leave, I’d track him to the ends of the earth.
A growl built in my chest at the thought.
The thought of Blake running, believing he could escape me, left me equal parts irritated and amused.
Taking a deep breath, I stood and focused. His scent lingered in the air, strong enough for me to follow.
That scent was mine to chase now. I padded down the hallway, my senses sharp, every nerve on high alert.
The kitchen door was open, leading to the back. That was either an invitation or a rushed exit—possibly both.
My dragon rumbled, eager to get moving, already anticipating the hunt.
A quick inhale confirmed that his scent was freshest leading outside.
I took a few strides into the yard, the cold morning air waking me up even more.
My dragon’s instincts surged to the forefront, but I reined them in. There was no need to transform—not yet.
Blake hadn’t gone far; I could feel it, sense it. The bond between us pulsed faintly, a gentle hum that let me know he was close.
The forest stretched out ahead, a thick mist hovering low over the ground.
I followed his tracks, every broken twig and patch of disturbed earth an invitation to draw closer.
The trees were dense, the quiet of the morning only broken by the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds.
I could see his footprints in the dew-soaked earth, tracing a path deeper into the woods. He was taking his time, almost meandering.
Good. He wasn’t running from me. At least, not yet.
As I approached, I saw him sitting on a fallen log, his shoulders hunched, staring off into the distance.
His expression was distant, lost in thoughts I wanted desperately to know.
The knot in my chest loosened, and I slowed, savoring the sight of him, just him, sitting alone under the towering pines, bathed in the soft morning light.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence, not wanting to startle him.
“May I join you?” I asked, keeping my tone gentle.
Blake’s head snapped up, his eyes wide for a moment before recognition softened his features.
The tension in his shoulders eased, and he looked back to where he’d been staring, then nodded.
“Be my guest,” Blake said.
I moved closer, settling on the log beside him.
Our shoulders brushed, and I watched him from the corner of my eye, wondering if he’d pull away. But he didn’t.
I took that as a small victory, a sign that I could push a little more, maybe get him to open up.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked.
He sighed. “I was just… thinking what my life would be like if I wasn’t a hunter,” Blake said.
I turned to look at him, surprised.
