The sun was setting when the warning came—a sudden, sharp growl echoed from the woods, followed by the sound of rustling leaves. Jas's heart skipped. A cougar was nearby.
The big cat prowled at the edge of the clearing, its eyes locked on them, its body poised to strike. But Milagro was already there. The dog growled low, stepping protectively between the cougar and the others. He wasn’t backing down.
The cougar hesitated, sniffing the air. It wasn’t afraid of the dog—it was calculating. But Milagro’s growls grew fiercer, and the cougar, sensing something it couldn’t fight, backed off slowly, retreating into the trees.
“Good boy, Milagro,” Ivy Mae whispered, relief washing over her.