If you like music while you read, try "Lion" by Saint Mesa. It's what I was listening to while writing this chapter!
*****
~ HARTH ~
It happened too quickly.
Harth had stepped from the path, tugging at Tarkyn's arm, in her deepest self knowing there was likely no way they could divert. But they were so close to Sasha and Zev, and the thin wail of the unhappy Zan had tugged at her heart.
But even as her foot slipped off a root at the side of the trail and she stumbled, even as Tarkyn slipped past her with his hands forward to slow the approach of the Sergeant who'd seemed reasonable about giving her space when they set out, a set of calloused hands landed on her arm and tugged her back.
If she'd had time, if she'd seen them approach, it might have been different.
But her attention had been split between the cry of her Alpha's child in the tree, and the soldier in front of her who'd approached to warn her.
