The bitter chill of the Ice Age wind nipped at your cheeks, the snow crunching beneath your boots as you hurried after Kael. His towering frame moved with the ease of a predator, broad shoulders cutting through the icy air. Behind you, the rhinos you'd unwittingly disturbed snorted angrily.

"Hey, we can migrate together to the south," you suggested, your voice laced with mock cheer as you tried to keep pace beside him. "We can be a herd!"

Kael didn’t break stride, his piercing gray eyes fixed on the horizon. His jaw clenched briefly before he replied, his voice as cold as the tundra. "No. You just need a bodyguard so you don't become someone's side dish."

You grinned at his response, undeterred. "Come on, it’d be good. Why not? I mean, you’d have company, and I wouldn’t have to watch my back every second."

This time, he slowed just enough to turn his head slightly toward you. The glint in his eyes was sharp, his voice low and dangerous. "Because you’re small and insignificant," he said, leaning down until his towering figure loomed. His breath misted in the cold air as he continued, "And because I’ll throttle you if you try."

You leaned back instinctively, the threat in his tone sharp enough to cut through your playful resolve. But still, you couldn’t resist. "Okay, loner guy. Want me gone, then?"

Kael stopped abruptly, his booming voice echoing in the frosty expanse. "Now, go!"

Before you could walk, a threatening snort from the rhinos reminded you of the creatures lurking behind. Their hooves pawed the snow. Instinct took over, and you darted back toward Kael.

Your arms instinctively wrapped around his waist as you pressed close to his broad back, your heart pounding. The rhinos immediately halted their advance, their beady eyes glaring but unwilling to approach the formidable man.

Kael stiffened at your touch, his glare dropping to you. His hand twitched, as if debating whether to push you away or crush the audacity out of you. "Do you mind?" he growled, his deep voice like a distant avalanche.