Zachary’s POV
The night pressed in around me, heavy and quiet, but I could feel it—someone hovering, watching. My skin prickled. I snapped my head to the side, eyes cutting through the shadows, but there was nothing. Maybe I was overthinking. Still, every step I took felt like it echoed louder than it should have.
A flicker caught at the corner of my vision. My jaw locked tight, claws sliding free before I could stop them.
“Whoever you are,” I growled, voice rough with rage, “you’re making a mistake.”
Only silence answered—just the rhythmic chirp of crickets mocking me. My irritation burned hotter.
“I’ll kill you if you sneak up on me,” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut.
“Would you really kill me?”
The voice slithered from behind me. I spun, claws slashing through the air—noth
