Page 173 of Ranger's Wildflower

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Shouting.

Branches snapping.

Ace’s arm is around me, pulling, guiding, shielding—

But I don’t freeze.

Not this time.

I see Daniel.

The way he moves.

Erratic.

Desperate.

Focused on me.

That’s his weakness.

And for the first time—

I understand it.

“Ace,” I say, grabbing his arm.

“I need two seconds.”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“No—”

“Trust me.”

A beat.

Just one.

Then—

He nods.

Barely.

But it’s enough.

Ace

I don’t like it.

Not even a little.

But I trust her.

So I move.

I shift left, drawing Daniel’s attention.

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