Chapter 5: In Her Room
Nathan’s POV
Hailee was pressed against the wall of her room, looking terrified. The moment she noticed me, she didn’t hesitate—she ran straight to me and jumped into my arms. Instinctively, I caught her. She wrapped her legs around my waist and clung to me, her arms tight around my neck, trembling like a leaf in a storm.
I didn’t understand what was happening, but I held her close.
"What’s wrong?" I asked, surprised by the tenderness in my voice. It didn’t sound like me.
Her words came out fast, almost breathless. "A snake... under my bed. It moved. I swear it moved."
I frowned. My brow furrowed as I stared at her. A snake? She was a wolf—how could a snake scare her this much?
Still, her fear was real. I felt it in the way her body shook against mine.
"Hailee," I muttered, trying to lower her to the ground gently. "Let me check it out."
But she wouldn’t budge. She held on tighter, shaking her head.
"No. No, don’t let it bite me!"
"It won’t. I won’t let it," I said firmly, trying again to place her down. She refused, gripping me like I was her only shield. "Hailee..."