Clark POV:
Unfortunately, I didn't die in my twin's hands and arrived home safely — though "safe" didn't feel like the right word anymore. I was standing on solid ground, with Clare, of all people, grinning like the smug little devil she was. The minute Clare parked the death trap on two wheels in our driveway, my eyes caught movement on the porch.
For a heartbeat, my entire body went cold. A blur of fur. Low to the ground, dark against the bright sunlight. My chest tightened, fingers gripping the straps of my bag so hard my knuckles hurt. My first thought — wolf. My second thought — run. My third — too late.
Then it barked. A happy, ordinary bark. A dog. Just a dog. A stupid, happy, tail-wagging dog. My knees nearly buckled from the surge of adrenaline that came crashing back into me. My heart hammered, my breath came out in a short laugh that wasn't really a laugh at all. The thing wagged its tail, tongue lolling, completely harmless.
But I still didn't move.
