To my surprise, he didn’t come closer. Instead, he sat at the edge of the field, his gaze locked on me. There was something in those eyes—a quiet intensity that made my pulse quicken, though he didn’t seem dangerous. It threw me off when he just... watched.
But I wasn’t sticking around to figure out why. Without another look, I bolted, retracing my steps through the woods.
“Note to self,” I muttered between breaths, “don’t go running when you’ve lost your damn mind.”
I made it home just before dusk and spotted Mom on the porch, her face etched with worry. Then relief washed over her as soon as she saw me emerge from the woods. She rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight hug, her hands smoothing my fur, calming my nerves. Dad burst out of the house with a blanket and wrapped it around me to shift back.
“Honey, we were worried sick. You’ve been gone for a day! Where were you?” Mom asked, her voice full of concern.
I managed a small smile. “Sorry, Mom. I just needed some air. I’m fine.”
They nodded, but the unease in their eyes lingered. As they led me inside, Dad suddenly said, “Sweetie, you have guests.”