Page 29 of Samuel
He handled the whole exchange with an easy familiarity, as if this was something he did all the time.
I could almost imagine that we were just two normal people, shopping in a sleepy town, planning for a life that wasn’t constantly filled with danger.
I clutched the bag of supplies as we walked back to the truck, still lost in thought.
The idea of leaving this life behind, of finding something simpler, something stable, seemed too good to be true.
Just as we were about to reach the parking lot, a piercing scream shattered the air.
Samuel and I turned in unison, our gazes locking for a split second before he started toward the sound, his movements fluid and purposeful.
I was right behind him, my heart pounding as we moved toward the edge of the lot, where a dense line of trees led deeper into the forest.
The scream came again, sharp and desperate, echoing off the trees.
We moved together, slipping into the shadows, both of us on high alert.
The forest around us seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with tension.
Samuel’s expression had turned dark, his features hard, his eyes blazing. It was easy to see the dragon lurking beneath, ready to strike.
We followed the sound, each step bringing us closer.
The underbrush crackled beneath our boots, and I kept my senses sharp, every nerve straining for any sign of movement.
Samuel signaled for me to stay close, his hand brushing against my arm. I nodded, feeling a strange surge of determination.
Whatever was out here, we’d face it together.
When we reached a small clearing, the scent of blood hit me, sharp and metallic.
My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to focus. In the center of the clearing, a figure lay on the ground, still and unmoving.
A man, his features ravaged beyond recognition. A dark shape loomed over them, eyes glinting in the dim light.
It was a rogue wolf, its fur matted with dirt and blood, its teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
Samuel stepped forward, his stance shifting, muscles coiled as he prepared to strike.
I moved beside him, my hands clenched into fists, ready to fight.
I could feel the bond between us thrumming, a steady pulse that kept me grounded.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SAMUEL
I took a deep breath,considering my options.
I couldn’t shift, not this close to town; a dragon the size of a house would draw more than a few curious eyes.
I needed a subtler approach, at least for now.
As I weighed the options, a faint cry reached my ears, breaking the tension. Blake heard it too, his head swiveling toward the sound.
We exchanged a glance, our instincts aligned, and we both looked toward the source.
The thick bushes parted, and our worst fears were confirmed: a little girl, no more than five or six, stumbled into the clearing, tears streaming down her face.
