Avery’s POV

The low menacing growl echoed through the quiet forest; It exposed its teeth like an unseen wind, freezing me to the bone. My breath seized in my throat, and I clutched the pack's strap so tightly that I thought it would break.

“Jameson,” I whispered, the words barely audible above the loud pounding of my heart.

He turned quickly, already gripping his knife handle. His expression changed from annoyance to sharp alertness, all in an instant. "Don't move," he ordered. His voice was absolute.

"But what's—" I tried to talk.

“Shh, I’ll tell you later,” he added. His eyes glanced fiercely into the looming shadows ahead as if...