Page 45 of Alien Huntsman

He turned and disappeared into the trees without another word, his expensive boots crunching through the underbrush.

Tessa waited until she could no longer hear him before approaching the basket. The pups circled it suspiciously, sniffing and pawing at the wicker. She knelt beside them, cautiously lifting the cloth covering.

Inside lay several of her dresses, neatly folded, along with her hairbrush and a small wooden box that had belonged to her mother. Her throat tightened at the sight of it. Whatever Lenora’s motives, having these familiar items felt unexpectedly comforting.

She carried the basket inside, the pups trailing after her. A change of clothes would be welcome after days of washing and rewearing the same dress. She filled the basin with water from the pump and washed quickly, excitement building at the thought of Korrin returning to find her in something other than her now-shabby navy dress.

She chose a simple white dress with a red sash, then brushed her hair until it shone. She placed her mother’s box on the mantelpiece, happy with the home-like air it added to the cabin.

Rummaging deeper into the basket, she discovered something cool and smooth—a small glass jar nestled at the bottom. She pulled it out, a smile spreading across her face as she recognized the distinctive amber liquid inside. One of Agatha’s honey jars, with its hand-drawn label featuring a sprig of lavender.

“What a lovely surprise,” she murmured to the pups, who had lost interest in the basket and were now wrestling near the fireplace. “Agatha must have slipped this in.”

The thought warmed her. It seemed everyone knew where she was now—everyone except Lenora, hopefully. Though if Edgar had brought the basket on Lenora’s behalf…

She quickly pushed the troubling thought away. She wouldn’t let her stepmother’s shadow darken the day.

Cutting a thick slice of the bread she’d baked that morning, she drizzled the golden honey generously across it. The scent wasintoxicating—sweet with a hint of wildflowers. Taking her treat, she settled on the porch steps to watch for Korrin’s return while enjoying her impromptu snack.

The honey tasted even better than it smelled, rich and complex on her tongue. She savored each bite, licking a stray drop from her finger. The sun felt wonderful on her face, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the peaceful moment.

A strange heaviness began to creep through her limbs. She had to force her eyes open, then blinked, finding it difficult to focus on the tree line. The forest seemed to waver, edges blurring like watercolors in the rain.

“That’s odd,” she whispered, her tongue feeling thick in her mouth.

She tried to stand, to go inside for water, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate. Her body felt impossibly heavy, as though she’d been sewn to the porch steps.

The pups began to growl from inside the cabin, the sound reaching her as if through water. She turned her head with tremendous effort, seeing them gathered at the doorway, hackles raised.

Through blurred eyes, she made out a figure emerging from the trees. Edgar. His smug smile was unmistakable even as her sight dimmed at the edges.

“You should have accepted my offer,” his voice drifted to her, distorted and far away.

She tried to call for help, but her voice failed her. The world tilted sideways as darkness rushed in.

CHAPTER 18

Korrin stalked through the woods toward the Vultor enclave, his mind racing with everything that had happened in the past few days. Tessa wanted to stay with him. The knowledge still stunned him, filling his chest with an unfamiliar warmth.

He found Seren at the edge of the enclave, examining tracks in the soft earth. The pack leader straightened as he approached, his expression curious.

“I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.” Seren’s eyes narrowed. “The human female?”

“Her name is Tessa,” he said, his voice low but firm. “And I intend to take her as my mate.”

He braced himself for disapproval, arguments about how humans couldn’t be trusted, how they were different. Instead, Seren’s expression softened into something almost wistful.

“You wouldn’t be the first to find himself captivated by a human female.” Seren looked away, his gaze distant. “They have a certain… resilience that can be quite compelling.”

He studied his alpha’s face. There was something in his tone, a hint of personal experience that made him wonder if Seren was referring to someone specific.

“You sound like you speak from experience,” he ventured.

Seren’s lips curved in a half-smile. “Perhaps. But that’s a story for another time.” He clasped Korrin’s shoulder. “Is she worthy of you?”

“I’m not worthy of her,” he admitted. “She’s kind, even to those who don’t deserve it. Strong in ways I never expected.”

“And she accepts what you are? All of it?”

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