Garron clenched his jaw, eyes locked on Megan's silhouette. She stood firm in front of the cave, shoulders tight, arms loose at her sides — but he could see the tension brimming under her stillness. A coiled spring, waiting.
She wasn't going to make this easy.
Damn stubborn girl. Still… something was off.
Why hadn't the husband come out?
Garron's gaze shifted to the cave entrance behind her. The rattling inside had grown more violent — sharp, scraping bursts followed by a low, echoing snarl that vibrated through the air like distant thunder. Whatever was chained inside was angry, and it knew they were out here.
But where was the man? Why isn't he by her side? Unless…
Garron's stomach dropped.
Is he releasing it?
A sharp breath caught in his throat, and a cold bead of sweat slid down the side of his face. Is that the sound of him unchaining the beast?
No. No, he wouldn't wait for that…
