Chapter 2

Harlan noticed Cadence shivering violently in the cool forest air. Her thin synthetic jacket was entirely insufficient for the harsh primal climate.

Cadence peeked through her fingers. Her anxiety warred with a desperate curiosity. She watched his relaxed, confident movements. He did not move like a man exposed to the elements. He moved like he owned the forest.

Harlan pointed a thick finger toward the deep, darkening forest. He then mimicked a ferocious beast with his hands, letting out a low, terrifying growl from his chest. He pointed to her fragile frame and shook his head firmly. He indicated she had zero chance of surviving out here alone.

Cadence understood the grim warning perfectly. She nodded slowly, her eyes wide with lingering fear.

Harlan pointed to his own chest proudly. He then pointed in a specific direction through the trees. He mimicked the shape of huts with his hands to signify his home. He extended his large, calloused hand toward her. He offered a silent invitation for protection.

Cadence stared at his hand. Her modern independence fought against the stark reality of her utter helplessness. She had no food, no weapons, and no idea where she was. She remembered her grandfather's stern advice about adapting to survive any crisis. She swallowed her pride. The lump in her throat felt like a stone.

With a shaky breath, she reached out. She placed her small, soft hand into his massive, warm palm.

Harlan's intense blue eyes softened instantly. He gently pulled her to her feet. He used zero effort, lifting her as easily as a child. He pointed to her strange synthetic clothes. He furrowed his brow in a silent question about her origins.

Cadence realized she needed a sympathetic backstory. She could not explain airplanes or cities to a man who turned into a tiger. She mimicked walking a long distance. She dragged her feet, then dramatically fell to her knees. She covered her face, pretending to cry. She pointed to the empty forest and shrugged helplessly. She faked being abandoned.

Harlan's expression shifted from curiosity to deep sympathy. A flash of protective anger hardened his jaw. He touched his heart, then gently touched her shoulder. He offered a solemn, silent promise that he would not abandon her.

Harlan crouched down. He gestured over his shoulder for her to climb onto his bare back.

Cadence hesitated. Her face flushed hot. She awkwardly climbed up, wrapping her arms loosely around his thick neck. Her legs bracketed his solid waist.

Harlan stood up smoothly. He adjusted her weight as if she weighed no more than a feather. He broke into a run. He accelerated to a superhuman speed that blurred the surrounding trees into streaks of green and brown.

Cadence gasped. She buried her face tightly into the crook of his neck to protect her eyes from whipping branches. She felt the rhythmic, powerful flex of his back muscles beneath her chest. She realized just how vastly outmatched she was in this world.

After miles of running, Harlan began to slow down. The dense tree line broke into a large clearing. A massive, intimidating palisade made of sharpened tree trunks came into view in the distance.

Two heavily muscled guards stood at the gate. Gage and Jett spotted the movement. They immediately raised their jagged bone spears in high alert. Their muscles tensed for an attack.

Harlan let out a sharp, complex whistle followed by a specific, guttural tribal command. The unique acoustic passcode cut through the air, identifying himself to the tense guards.