Page 50 of Alien Huntsman

She wanted to say more, to tell him everything she felt, but her body betrayed her. The momentary strength that had allowed her to speak those three words faded, leaving her drained. Her eyelids grew heavy again, too heavy to keep open despite her desire to keep looking at him.

His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer against the solid warmth of his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoed against her ear, strong and sure. She could feel the slighttremor that ran through his powerful body, belying the control he always maintained.

“Rest now,” he murmured, his breath warm against her hair. “You’re safe.”

She let herself sink into his embrace, no longer fighting the exhaustion that pulled at her. This time, she didn’t fear the darkness. This wasn’t the cold void that had tried to claim her before—this was different. This was warmth and safety and Korrin.

As consciousness slipped away, she felt the gentle press of his lips against her forehead, the lightest touch that somehow anchored her to the world. She drifted, not into emptiness, but into the sanctuary of his arms, knowing he would be waiting for her when she woke.

CHAPTER 20

Korrin’s heart lurched as Tessa’s eyes fluttered closed again. Her words—those three impossible words—still hung in the air between them, but panic overrode everything else as her body went limp in his arms.

“Tessa?” He shook her gently, then looked up at Agatha with wild eyes. “She’s not?—”

“She’s sleeping now.” Agatha’s weathered hand came to rest on his forearm, steady and sure. “A natural sleep. Her body needs time to recover.”

The relief hit him like a physical blow. He pulled Tessa closer, burying his face in her hair, inhaling her scent to reassure himself she was still there. When he looked up again, his voice was rough with emotion.

“What happened to her?”

Agatha’s expression darkened as she pointed to the jar she’d found on the table.

“Poison. Someone doctored this honey—my honey.” Fury flashed in the old woman’s eyes. “They used my own goods to do this.”

Korrin’s beast surged forward, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. “Edgar brought it, brought the basket. I recognize his scent.”

“That miserable little worm.” Agatha set the jar down with deliberate care, but her hands trembled with rage. “If I’d known he planned this, I would have broken both his legs before he made it out of the village.”

He glanced down at Tessa’s pale face, then back to Agatha. “Will she recover completely?”

“Yes. I’ve given her what she needs to flush the poison. I believe it was meant to weaken her, make her compliant—not kill her.” Agatha’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I think he wanted her alive. Follow me—there’s something you need to see.”

He reluctantly followed Agatha onto the porch, his gaze lingering on Tessa’s sleeping form. Every instinct screamed at him not to leave her side, but the old woman’s insistent tug on his arm brooked no argument.

“She’ll be fine for a few minutes,” Agatha whispered. “I need to show you something.”

Outside, the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the clearing. Agatha led him to the edge of the porch steps, her voice dropping to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard.

“You owe those pups a debt of gratitude,” she said, pointing to a spot near the bushes where the undergrowth had been disturbed.

Korrin frowned, scanning the area. “What do you mean?”

Agatha reached into her pocket and pulled out a scrap of expensive fabric. “Found this caught on a branch. And look there.” She gestured to the ground where several sets of small paw prints circled a larger boot print.

His beast surged forward, scenting the air. A faint trace of unpleasant cologne mingled with something else—fear and anger.

“Someone came back while she was unconscious,” Agatha continued. “Edgar, I think. The boot is pointed, impractical, and this—” she rubbed the fabric between her fingers, “—is from a man’s garment. High quality.”

“Edgar,” Korrin growled, the name like poison on his tongue.

Agatha nodded. “Those pups of yours formed a defensive ring around Tessa. I found blood too—quite a few drops. Looks like at least one of them got a good bite in.”

Korrin’s gaze shifted to the adyani pups now curled protectively around Tessa inside the cabin. Even from here, he could see them watching the doorway with alert eyes.

“They protected her when I couldn’t,” he said, something tight constricting his chest.

“They love her,” Agatha said simply. “As do you.”

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