Page 58 of Into the Lion's Den (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

I sucked in air, ready to scream. But before any sound escaped, a large hand slapped over my mouth.

22

SARAH

Idropped my flashlight and thrashed in the arms of the man who held me. He was tall. I knew that. And incredibly strong. I stomped down on his foot. “Let me go!”

“Easy. Christ!” hissed the voice. It was Angel, and when he loosened his grip, I realized the mountain lion had run away.

“Oh, thank god, you came.” I let out a breath, and my knees buckled as my surge of adrenaline suddenly waned.

Angel caught me around the waist before I hit the ground. “What in the hell are you doing out here?”

“I was looking for Reese.”

“Why?” Angel’s tone was incredulous, and it confirmed what I’d come to realize. It had been stupid of me to leave my tent.

“I heard him go into the woods, and he never came back. Do you think that thing got him?”

“What thing?” Angel picked up my flashlight and handed it to me. Then he slipped his arm around my back and turned me around toward camp.

“The mountain lion. Didn’t you see it?”

It was too dark for me to gauge Angel’s facial expression, but the tension in the air was palpable.

“I didn’t see anything, Sarah.”

“It was here.” I glanced behind me as he guided me back toward the clearing beside the stream. “It must be the one from the warning posters. It washuge.”

“It’s dark,” Angel said, and I got the distinct impression he didn’t believe me.

“I saw it.”

“Okay,” he said. “You saw it. But let’s get you back to your tent.”

“What about Reese?” I turned, disengaging Angel’s arm.

“What about him?”

“He’s still out here somewhere.” I swung my flashlight beam through the trees. “I think he’s sleepwalking. He could be hurt.”

Angel’s patience was growing thin. I could feel it. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“It’s not normal to go for a walk in the woods, in the middle of the night, without a flashlight.” I looked down. Angel wasn’t carrying a flashlight either. “Why did you come out here?”

“Same reason as you. I heard someone leave the campsite. It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone’s safe.”

“Well…thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now, I’m tired. Can we get back to our tents?” He gestured in the direction of camp.

“It’s not like I’m going to be able to sleep,” I muttered.

“Then I’ll get the fire going again. You can sit by it until you get sleepy.”

We walked back to camp, and all the while my senses remained on high alert, listening for the mountain lion. Listening for Reese. Wondering where he was and what the hell he was doing.

But when we got back, Reese was sitting by the fire, poking it with a stick.

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