Calculated Risk

LUCIUS POV

I heard it first.

Movement. Behind us. Too careful to be an animal. Too clumsy to be a trained guard.

Someone was following us.

I stopped walking. Held up my hand.

Bronson and Gideon stopped immediately.

"What?" Gideon asked.

"We're being followed."

I turned. Looked at the forest behind us. "I know you're there. Come out. Now."

Silence.

Then. A voice. Flat. Precise.

"Dark Alpha Lucius.