Lily’s voice seemed to cut through the tension like a warm knife through butter. Ranger paused for a fraction of a second, his ears twitching slightly at the gentle tone. It was as if her calmness wrapped around him, confusing the aggression that had become his shield.
One of the seasoned volunteers, Michael, watched from a distance, his brow furrowed in skepticism mixed with a trace of hope. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Ranger react to someone without trying to take a bite out of them.
“Lily,” Michael called softly, trying to keep his voice steady, “if he gets too agitated—”
