---- THROW DIRT IN ITS EYES! BLIND IT, DRAKKAR! BLIND IT! she yelled in the middle of the chaos, and Drakkar reacted on instinct.


    He grabbed sharp rocks and hurled them at the Brontocéraxs weak spots while it kept mming him with its massive horns; the head shield was almost unbreakable.


    Dust built up in its line of sight, and pain throbbed from the earlier hit to its eye.


    Drakkar was about to run toward Lyra to escape, but she was already sprinting toward him.


    DUCK, DRAKKAR! MOVE! she screamed through the dust trail, and Drakkar finally noticed what wasing for his back.


    The deadly spiked tail Lyras body mmed into his, and he caught her in his arms, throwing both of them into a bush.


    BoooM! Aroar of pain thundered through the clearing, startling the birds in the sky.


    The beast, blinded and furious, had identally stabbed its own.


    snout with the spikes.


    Blood started pouring out.


    It staggered, nearly copsing, but Drakkar knew a Brontocérax’s defense didnt break that easily.


    ---- We need to go.


    Now.


    Before ites after usit holds a nasty grudge, he said, grabbing Lyras hand, still shaken by how reckless and fearless this female was.


    No, no, listen to me, Drakkar.


    Ill show you a smarter way to hunt that thing.


    Trust me.


    Come on...


    No, Lyra, no...


    Drakkar held her hand like a shackle, while the beasts growls shook the forest and its steps rumbled through the ground.


    7m not like the others! Im not going to betray youI just want to help.


    Drakkar, if you dont trust me, then forget our pact...


    Lyra yanked her hand free, angry.


    This wasnt the time for stupid fights.


    Her silver eyes red, locked onto his midnight ones, full of storms.


    1 want to teach you my packs tricks.


    Either trust me now...


    or forget I even exist, she said sharply, pushing him to make a move.


    She rose from their hiding spot, crouched low as she slipped through the wide fern leaves, eyes fixed on the beast already searching for them to get its revenge.


    Lyras heart pounded boom boom boom against her chest.


    Shed made a gamble, and she hoped she wasnt wrong.


    ---- Before even half a second passed, she heard firm footsteps behind her, circling the clearing.


    A smile of relief crept onto her lips.


    aztoria, guide me to where you smell the Cassiéps.


    Lets show this little wolf that to hunt the fiercest beast, you need more than strength, you need cunning.


    When Drakkar saw her stand tall and scream at the Brontocérax, he nearly had a heart attack right then and there.


    RUN, MY MALE, RUN! she shouted before spinning and screaming right in his face.


    Drakkar watched her delicate back, always running ahead of him, her silver hair flowing through the jungles green Something primitive and deep stirred inside his chest.


    Her sweet, intoxicating scent filled his nose, caging his demons.


    It wouldve been perfectmaybe even romanticif there wasnt a carnivorous beast behind him about to bite his peaches off through his loincloth.