Ryan and Kyan had barely caught their breath when the familiar sound of steady footsteps approached from behind. Ryan froze mid-laugh, the dog’s massive head nudging at his side.
“—And what exactly is going on here?” Nate’s voice cut through the air, calm but sharp.
Ryan turned slowly. Nate and Alexia stood a few feet away, both looking equal parts relieved and suspicious. Nate’s brows furrowed the moment he saw the enormous, dirt-streaked dog looming beside the twins. Instinctively, he reached out, pulling both Ryan and Kyan closer to Alexia and stepping protectively between them and the animal.
“Careful,” Nate warned, his tone clipped. “Strays aren’t friendly here.”
Before anyone could react, Kyan wriggled free from Nate’s grasp and dashed forward, her little boots splashing in a pud
