The realization struck so sharply she almost turned at once. Almost. Something stopped her. Instinct perhaps or fear.
Slowly, Bria looked over her shoulder and froze.
The beast stood only several feet behind her.
Massive white fur blended almost ghostlike into the darkness surrounding the trees, though its pale gold eyes remained fixed steadily upon her. Even standing still, the creature radiated enormous strength, its great shoulders towering above her while its breath drifted visibly through the cold night air.
Bria could not move. Fear rooted her completely where she stood.
The little creature made a tiny, fearful sound and buried himself tighter against her.
Still, the beast did not attack. It simply watched her.
Bria scarcely dared breathe.
Slowly, the creature stepped closer. One heavy paw moved soundlessly across the forest floor. Then another.
Her heart pounded so violently she was certain the beast must hear it.
The creature lowered its massive head slightly. Sniffing her. Warm breath brushed softly across her face.
Bria shivered hard.
Its thick fur grazed lightly against her cheek as it moved nearer still, the strange softness of it startling against the terror racing through her body.
Yet even now… it did not harm her.
The beast paused suddenly. Its head lifted and a low growl rumbled deep within its chest.
Before Bria could even begin to understand what had changed, the beast spun sharply and vanished into the darkness between the trees with astonishing speed.
The forest fell silent once more.
Bria remained frozen where she stood, scarcely able to breathe.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs while the little creature trembled hard enough in her arms that she feared the poor thing might leap free entirely.
Slowly, feeling returned to her legs.
The beast had stood close enough to tear her apart. Close enough that its breath had warmed her skin. And still…
It had not harmed her.
Why?
The question refused to loosen its grip on her thoughts.
Fear still lingered fiercely within her, yet beneath it stirred something else now, curiosity.
The creature had not looked at her with hunger. Nor rage. If anything, its strange eyes had held something far more unsettling.
Awareness.
Bria swallowed hard, her fingers tightening gently through the little creature’s soft fur.
If only she had possessed the courage to touch it.
The thought startled her even as it formed.
