Thorne didn’t hesitate. He surged forward, instincts sharp and deadly, and brought a rock down hard on the creature’s skull. The crack echoed through the trees. The cat gave a final twitch, then collapsed in a heavy heap.
I exhaled sharply, the tension in my chest unraveling all at once.
Then I saw her face.
Bex.
Relief crashed over me so hard my knees nearly gave out. If we’d been even a minute later…if we hadn’t heard that scream…
I shoved the thought down as I rushed to her side. She was still struggling, still panicked, pinned beneath the weight of the cat’s body. Her limbs flailed, breaths coming fast and shallow.
“Hey, hey, Hollis, don’t worry,” I said, keeping my voice low and steady despite the adrenaline still burning in my veins. “We got you.”
Thorne and I hauled the dead, bleeding creature off of her, and the moment its weight was gone, she shot upright, wild-eyed and breathless.
And then, God, she looked at me.
Hair tangled, cheeks flushed, dirt and blood streaking across her jaw, and I swear, I forgot how to breathe. Even covered in grime, she was luminous. Unshaken spirit blazing behind her eyes.
Then she launched herself into us, arms thrown around our necks. I let out a sharp breath, startled, but then I meltedinto the warmth of her. My arms found her waist almost on instinct.
Thorne, ever the devil, chuckled. I didn’t have to look to know he’d caught the stunned look on my face. And sure enough, the moment she pulled back, wiping her eyes, he shot me a knowing wink over her shoulder.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and I could still feel the ghost of her touch on my chest. “I really thought that was it.”
“Not a problem, love,” Thorne said with that infuriating grin, already bending to snatch up the blood-slicked rock he’d used to bash the creature’s skull. My brother, ever the improvisor.
He turned to me with a smirk. “Not bad for a little improvisation, huh, sis?”
I rolled my eyes, crouching beside the creature to get a better look at it, anything to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
“Yes, yes, you're the almighty hunter, and we should all sing your praises,” I muttered. He snorted, pleased with himself.
Then I looked up at Bex again. She was watching me, long golden hair catching the sunlight through the trees, something unspoken lingering in her expression. My chest tightened.
“So, Hollis,” I said, meeting her gaze, letting the corners of my mouth curl up just a little. “What do you say?”
I gave her my best grin, heart hammering beneath my ribs. “Let’s eat.”
“Alright, I’ll get it ready,” Thorne said, already crouching beside the feline’s body. “You go start a fire somewhere.”
“Get it ready?” Bex asked, brow raised.
“Gotta prepare the meat, love,” Thorne replied with a grin that had far too much innuendo packed into it as he began tying the creature’s legs with cords from the chute. I shot hima glare, but when I caught the way her cheeks flushed pink, the irritation melted into something warmer.
“Wanna keep me company?” Thorne asked, cocking his head with that stupid smirk.
“While you skin an animal?” she said dryly. “Thank you, but no.”
And then she stepped toward me. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. I cast a smug glance over my shoulder at Thorne. His answering glare said ‘game on’loud and clear.
“Come on, Hollis,” I said, voice softening as I placed a hand at the small of her back. “Help me get the fire going.”
She didn’t pull away. My hand stayed there, light and careful, guiding her away from the bloodied scene. It felt like something small, but significant, like trust was settling between us. And I wanted her to trust us. I needed her to. Because something in me had already decided that I’d do whatever it took to make sure she survived these Wilds.
I found a small clearing, open enough that the fire wouldn’t catch on anything nearby. Safe. Controlled. When I started gathering kindling, I glanced up and saw her doing the same. No complaints. No hesitation.
Of course she was like that. Brave. Steady. I felt that in her when I watched her interview. And I could sense it when I spoke with her.
