"Sadie, there are no permanent enemies," Micah dered abruptly.


    The statement took Sadie by surprise, causing her to pause momentarily. A hint of mockery yed at the corners of her lips as she retorted, "Mr. Clemens, are you attempting to extend an olive branch?""You are free to interpret it as you wish," Micah replied, his arms snaking around her slender waist, drawing her close. "Regardless, tonight, you are mine!"


    Instead of resisting or rebuffing him, Sadie ced her delicate hand against his chest. "You''ll have to catch me first," she challenged. With a swift push, she broke free from his grasp, her long skirt billowing as she sprinted barefoot into the distance.Micah watched her retreating figure, a seductive smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The cool night breeze tousled Sadie''s long hair, causing her white, cloud-like dress to sway gently. Bathed in the moonlight, her enchanting figure radiated an irresistible allure. Unable to resist, Micah quickened his pace, giving chase. The moonlight cast a long shadow of Sadie before Micah, a tantalizing reminder of the distance between them. He relished the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of the hunt, and the anticipation of the capture.After a while, Sadie nced back, a wicked smirk ying on her lips. "Can''t catch me, can you?" she taunted.


    Micah sneered in response, lunging forward to grasp her slender arm. However, Sadie nimbly sidestepped him and darted ahead.Micah continued the pursuit, maintaining a calcted distance of thirty-two feet. Sadie''s wless feet glided along the t, clean road, bathed in moonlight. Her graceful movements held Micah''s gaze captive, much like a predator entranced by its prey. The neatly lined shadows of the trees, the glow of the streetmps, and the dance of the moonlight on their figures painted a scene reminiscent of a heartwarming romantic movie."If I reach thatmppost up ahead and you haven''t caught me, you lose your chance tonight!" Sadie called out, her skirt gathered in her hands. She turned to look at Micah, her smile as radiant as a blooming flower. Her petite figure swayed adorably in the night breeze."Are you nning to cheat?" Micah squinted his eyes.


    "Don''t you know?" Sadie retorted with a mischievous grin. "Cheating is a woman''s nature!"


    With that, she continued her sprint, her figure once again a captivating silhouette in the moonlight.Micah smiled, maintaining his pace until only ny feet separated him from themppost. Suddenly, he broke into a sprint, reaching out to grab Sadie''s arm. Just as he was about to catch her, a ck object swooped down from the sky, carrying a chilling aura."Mr. Clemens, watch out!" Andrew warned urgently. Micah swiftly dodged, but not before the sharp object grazed the back of his hand. The object, which turned out to be a hawk, brushed against his clothes before swooping towards the people behind him.Andrew and n narrowly escaped the danger. The hawk circled low before returning tond steadily on Sadie''s shoulder. Its fierce eyes red at Micah."Coco, you''re being naughty again!" Sadie chided gently, stroking the hawk''s wings. She turned to Micah, her smile softening. "This is my pet, Coco."When Tristan had given her the hawk, he''d asked her to name it. Without thinking, she''d blurted out, "Coco!" She wasn''t sure why she''d chosen such a silly name, but it was the first thing that hade to mind.