a roar that could rival the beast from the forest.

. Fallon's face burned hot. She wa

ze dropped to her midsection, his bro

ed over to the fire, picking up that same

verriding her fear. "Wait!" she shouted

r. He looked at the meat, then at her. His

d a shaking finger toward the back of

stone vat in the shadows. He picked up a crude wooden dipper-literally a chunk

ck and hande

, and the dipper smelled like tree sap. She looked a

herself. You're not in

ul. The water was cold and slightly earthy,

. "Your body is weak," he said suddenly. "You ha

outh with the back of her hand. Her hea

igh-level shifters can sense the

ze head-on, her chin lifted. "Yeah, I'm

r of something-disgust? anger? -crossed his fa

ut out there," he continued, his voice dropping low, "a w

e wasn't lying. The system had shown

p breath. It w

d, her voice steady despite the trembli

wide with shock. He hadn't expected that. He was a cold-bl

eeing the desperate hope there.

and energy," he said, his voice g

e! It's a mess! And I can teach you how to cook meat properly!

r face. The corner of his mouth twitched. It

hiding his face. But his

ay here. I wi

th relief. She had a roof over her head and a bodyguard. Her