There’s no mistaking the intent sharpening every line of the stranger’s body when Luke emerges from a dense line of trees and sees that predatory crouch, slow, stalking steps silenced by the snow-dampened hush. Something he almost feels like he was unmeant to catch until he notices someone further ahead, blond hair bouncing with every careful step. Then a flash of a profile he knows too well.

His eyes widen.

By the time her scream lances through his guts he’s already closing the distance between them, his body a live-wire thrumming with hot blood and adrenaline and purpose. It’s too late to warn her – but not too late to try snapping his arms around her would-be attacker in an attempted headlock.