Page 39 of Alien Huntsman

A conflicting mix of emotions swept over her—satisfaction that she was missed, guilt that the village was suffering, and a strange sense of loss for the life she’d left behind, however imperfect it had been.

Agatha’s gaze sharpened, her eyes suddenly piercing as she studied Tessa’s face. “So, do you plan to come back to the village, then? People are worried, you know.”

The question caught her off guard. She’d been so focused on their day to day life that she hadn’t really considered her future. Did she want to return to the village? To Lenora’s coldness, Edgar’s unwanted attention, the constant feeling of being trapped?

She thought about the cabin, about waking up in Korrin’s arms, about the freedom she’d found in this simple life. The pups,growing stronger every day. The way he looked at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice.

“No,” Tessa said, surprising herself with the certainty in her voice. “I don’t think I do.”

Agatha raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem particularly shocked.

“I’ve been happier this past week than I’ve been since my father died,” Tessa continued, the truth of it washing over her. “Here, I can breathe. I’m not constantly walking on eggshells or trying to please someone who will never be pleased. I’m not…” She hesitated. “I’m not afraid anymore.”

The realization settled in her chest like a warm stone. She hadn’t even recognized how much fear she’d been carrying until it was gone.

“I see,” Agatha said, nodding slowly. “And what of this Vultor male you’re staying with?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks again. “Korrin is… he’s not what I expected. He’s protective and kind in his own way.”

“Hmm.” Agatha’s expression gave nothing away.

“Could you let people know I’m all right?” she asked. “I don’t want anyone to worry. Just tell them I’m safe and happy. They don’t need to know where I am or who I’m with.”

She was about to ask Agatha how she knew Korrin when a thunderous crash erupted from the bushes behind them. She whirled around to see him burst through the undergrowth, his eyes wild and glowing gold. His chest heaved as he took in the scene, claws extended at his sides.

“You can’t have her,” he snarled at Agatha, positioning himself between them with a feral growl rumbling from his chest. “She stays with me.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She’d never seen him this frantic before, not even during the fight with the stranger. He looked ready to tear through anything that threatened to separate them.

To her astonishment, Agatha merely clicked her tongue and shook a bony finger at him. “Control yourself, young man. You’re making a spectacle of yourself.” Her voice carried the same tone she might use to scold a child for tracking mud across a clean floor.

Korrin faltered, clearly thrown by the elderly woman’s complete lack of fear.

“Besides,” Agatha continued, brushing a leaf from her sleeve, “Tessa has already told me she wants to stay with you. Quite adamant about it, actually.”

His head snapped toward her, the desperate hope in his eyes making her breath catch. “Is that true?” His voice was rough, vulnerable in a way she’d never heard before.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “I want to stay with you.”

Something primal and possessive flashed in his eyes. Before she could blink, he closed the distance between them, sweeping her up into his powerful arms. She gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as he clutched her against his chest.

“Mine,” he growled against her hair. Storm dropped into her arms a moment later, and then they were moving, Korrin racingthrough the forest with the two of them secured tightly in his embrace.

Agatha’s laughter trailed after them, carried on the breeze. “Young love,” Tessa heard her call out. “So dramatic!”

She smiled and buried her face against Korrin’s neck as the trees blurred around them, her basket of berries forgotten.

He didn’t slow down until they reached the cabin. Without releasing her, he shouldered the door open and kicked it shut behind him. Then he finally set her down, his eyes burning as he scanned her body.

“Are you hurt?”

“No,” she managed, breathless from their mad dash. “I’m fine.”

“And the pups?” His eyes were still bright, his muscles tense.

“Storm’s the only one who followed me into the woods,” she admitted. “But he’s fine, too.”

He let out a long exhale, his shoulders finally relaxing.

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