Page 17 of Alien Huntsman

Biting back another sob, she hurried into the forest and started downhill, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The morning sun filtered through the canopy above, creating dappled patterns that shifted with every breeze but she was too nervous to appreciate their beauty.

Every twig snap and rustle made her heart jump. She’d spent her life in kitchens and markets, not wilderness. The forest felt alive around her in a way that was both beautiful and terrifying. Birds called overhead in languages she couldn’t understand, and unseen creatures scurried through the underbrush.

“Just keep moving,” she muttered to herself. “Down means town.”

She repeated the makeshift rhyme with each step, trying to ignore the growing ache in her legs and the scratches on her arms from pushing through brambles. A flash of movement caught her eye—something long and sinuous sliding through the fallen leaves to her right. She gasped and jumped sideways, her mind conjuring images of Cresca’s version of a venomous snake.

Her foot landed on nothing.

The ground disappeared beneath her, and her stomach lurched as she began to fall. Her arms flailed, desperately seeking purchase. By some miracle, her fingers closed around a gnarledbranch jutting from the edge of what she now realized was a steep ravine.

She dangled over the drop, her feet kicking uselessly in the air as the branch creaked ominously under her weight. Below her stretched a rocky slope that ended in a tangle of fallen trees and sharp stones.

“Help!” she cried out, though she knew no one would hear. Her fingers began to slip on the rough bark, tiny splinters digging into her skin.

The branch dipped lower. Panic surged through her veins as she realized it was beginning to pull free from the earth. Dirt and small rocks showered down from where the root was slowly tearing away from the edge.

“Please,” she whispered, not even sure who she was begging. “I don’t want to die.”

Her arms trembled with the strain of holding her entire body weight. How long before they gave out completely? The drop below seemed to stretch endlessly, promising broken bones at best.

A shadow fell across her face, but before she could look up, strong hands clamped around her wrists. With a single powerful motion, she was hauled upwards as if she weighed nothing at all.

She found herself pressed against a solid chest, staring into furious amber eyes.

“What were you thinking?” he growled, his voice vibrating through her body.

She couldn’t answer, her heart still hammering too hard against her ribs. He’d appeared out of nowhere, like some forest spirit from the old tales.

Without waiting for a response, he scooped her into his arms. One moment she was trembling on the edge of the ravine, the next she was cradled against him, her feet dangling in the air.

“Put me down,” she protested weakly, though her body betrayed her with a wave of relief.

“So you can find another cliff to fall from?” His jaw was tight, a muscle twitching beneath the skin.

As he carried her through the forest, she gradually caught her breath. She glanced around at the trees, suddenly realizing she had no idea which direction led to the cabin. Everything looked the same—endless trunks and undergrowth with no path in sight. Even if she’d escaped the ravine on her own, she would have been hopelessly lost. She’d rushed headlong into danger without any real plan.

I was a fool, she realized.But now I’m safe.

In spite of her Vultor’s anger, she had no doubt about that and she found herself relaxing against his chest. His stride was sure and steady, his arms warm and secure around her. Her cheek rested against his shoulder, and she could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear.

It was… not unpleasant. The thought made her cheeks flush with heat. She shouldn’t feel safe in the arms of her captor, yet her body seemed to have its own opinion on the matter.

He carried her all the way back to the cabin and shouldered open the cabin door, still carrying Tessa. The pups immediately rushed toward them, yipping excitedly.

“You can put me down now,” she said quietly.

He lowered her to her feet but kept a hand on her arm until she was steady. The warmth of his touch lingered even after he released her.

“Don’t try that again.” His voice was hard but something else flickered in his eyes—concern? “These mountains are dangerous. There are ravines, predators, hidden sinkholes. You wouldn’t survive a day.”

She wanted to argue, to insist she could manage on her own, but the memory of dangling over that ravine was too fresh. If he hadn’t found her when he did…

“You’re right,” she admitted, the words sticking in her throat. “I don’t know these woods. I would have gotten lost even if I hadn’t fallen.”

His eyebrows rose slightly, as if he hadn’t expected her to concede.

“I’ll stay,” she continued, crossing her arms. “For now.”

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