The bushes to Claire’s right exploded with movement. She barely had time to react before the bobcat shot out, moving fast, straight toward her. Instinct kicked in—she stumbled back, heart hammering, her mind screaming danger.
It stopped just short of her, its muscles tense. Claire didn’t move, afraid that one wrong step would set it off. But instead of attacking, the bobcat flicked its ears and took a slow step back, its sharp gaze locked onto hers.