The wet grunt echoed through the silent oasis. It didn't sound like a lion. It didn't sound like a wolf, a snake, or a hyena.
Xin Yi froze.
She slowly tilted her head back, looking up at the top of the rock formation directly above where they were resting.
Two glowing, blood-red eyes stared down at them from the darkness.
"Hei Yan," Xin Yi breathed, her voice barely a squeak.
Hei Yan didn't hesitate. The romantic, goofy puppy completely vanished, replaced instantly by the Shadow Claw Alpha. He shoved Xin Yi firmly behind his broad back, shifting his arms into massive, fur-covered panther paws.
"Show yourself!" Hei Yan roared. He dropped into a predatory crouch, completely ready to tear whatever was up there into shreds.
The glowing red eyes blinked.
Then, instead of pouncing, the massive shadow flinched.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
