Jessie didn’t move at first.
Didn’t lower the gun.
He just stood there, breathing hard, watching.
Waiting.
The wolf didn’t move again.
Only then did Jessie lower the weapon.
He rushed forward and dropped beside Sarah.
“Hey—hey, are you alright?” he said quickly, his voice tight.
She nodded weakly, though her arm shook as she tried to hold herself up.
“I… I’m okay…”
But she wasn’t.
Not really.
Jessie looked over her arm.
Fresh scratches.
Some deeper than before.