It turned out that everyone wanted to go for a walk, except Rietta and Tash. Leaving them at the house, the rest headed towards the woods in a loose pack formation, the other couples instinctively walking behind Zephyr. Nielle was just one step back and to the right of him. Noah came along next, followed by Samantha, then Summer and Chris, while Samantha and Oliver brought up the rear. Nielle glanced back once or twice, wanting to talk to Samantha, but the present formation didn’t allow for it.
As they entered the tree line, a sound came from the left and in a blur of movement, Zephyr and Noah positioned themselves protectively in front of the others, muscles tense and senses alert. It took less than a second for them to identify the source and realize there was no danger. As the two men
