Nadia’s POV:
“Nadia!” A booming voice echoed through the forest. “Stop running! You know you can’t outrun us.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. It was midnight. I was tearing through the woods so fast it was a miracle I hadn't eaten dirt a hundred times.
“Your scent is everywhere!” another voice yelled. “Your uncle wants you alive. Just come quietly, and we’ll make sure you get back to your pack in one piece.”
Fear iced my spine at their growls.
They were lying through their teeth. Just three nights ago, Uncle Carl had ambushed my dad with the help of a cult—the Crimson Council. I had watched Carl tear my dad apart. And that pack they mentioned? It was history.
Now, just hearing Carl’s name made my stomach churn.
The ground was slick with twisted vines, but I didn’t dare slow down.
If they caught me, I was dead meat.
“Gotcha!” A snarl shattered the night. I froze as a wolf burst from the trees behind me.
I barely had time to scream before the beast tackled me. Pain exploded through my body as the impact knocked the wind right out of my lungs.
We hit the dirt, his jaws snapping inches from my throat. I scrambled backward, kicking with everything I had.
“I got her,” the wolf growled into the night.
Seconds later, another wolf stepped from the trees. This one was half-shifted.
He terrified me more than the beast at my throat. He had a bare chest and yellow eyes.
“Well done,” he chuckled with a sneer. “I can’t believe it took us this long to catch a wolfless girl.”
I thrashed harder, inching my hand toward the hidden pocket on my thigh.
“Hold still,” the half-shifted wolf sneered, stepping closer. “You made us chase you for three days. You knew you couldn't escape. You should have just stayed put and let us end you, like the weak bitch you are.”
Just as he reached me, my fingers brushed metal. My dagger. I gripped the hilt and thrust upward. The silver blade sank into the shoulder of the wolf pinning me down.
The creature unleashed a howl and jerked backward. I took my shot, rolling away and scrambling to my feet.
Blood ran down my arm. I was pretty sure I had a concussion. Still, I leveled the dagger at the wolves and backed away.
The wounded wolf’s eyes burned with rage. The other wolf was smiling. His gaze held a twisted respect.
“Back off!” I hissed. “Or I'll carve you both up.”
The half-shifted wolf chuckled. “I wouldn't try that, girl,” he warned, taking a step forward.
Despair washed over me, but I tightened my grip on the handle.
I wasn't going down without a fight. As the first wolf lunged, I swung my blade and dodged. But the truth remained: I didn’t have a wolf. Even moving first, I was powerless against his claws.
Pain ripped through my side as his claws tore into my stomach. Dumb luck was the only reason he didn't gut me completely.
A scream ripped from my lips as I hit the ground. Gritting my teeth, I fought to stand. I pressed a hand to my bleeding stomach and leveled the dagger. It was my only hope. Despite the agony, I refused to drop it.
“Do you really think you stand a chance?” the wolf hissed. He lunged again. I tried to anticipate him, but he saw it coming.
He pivoted and slammed a fist into my gut. The blow knocked the wind from my chest, sending me sprawling into the dirt.
Then came the howl. It echoed off the trees, piercing and loud.
It was so powerful the ground shook.
Both wolves froze, exchanging confused glances. I was trapped under the heavy beast, struggling to breathe. Then, without warning, a savage kick launched the wolf off me. He flew backward through the trees. Stunned, I tracked the airborne wolf before my gaze snapped back—landing on the shadow of a man.
The half-shifted wolf spotted him too.
“Who are you?” the rogue hissed, reeking of fear. “This isn't your fight. Walk away, and we won’t hurt you. We just want the girl.”
My vision was blurry from the pain, so it took me a second to process the sight.
“Who am I?” The man’s voice was a deep rumble. The moment he spoke, a suffocating aura rolled off him. “I’m the collector of your pathetic lives.”
I should have known.
An Alpha.
The rogue froze. But the fully-turned beast rushed forward. He was too blind with rage to realize he had just challenged an Alpha.
A suicidal move.
Despite being in human form, the Alpha turned and punched the wolf straight on the snout.
The crack of the blow echoed across the forest. Once again, the wolf went flying. But this time, the Alpha didn't let him land.
He lunged forward, grabbed the wolf's arm, and slammed him onto the forest floor.
The wolf shrieked, silenced instantly when the man crushed his throat with bare hands.
“Now,” the Alpha growled, turning to the last wolf. “What do I do with you?”
Even through my blurry gaze, I could see the despair on the rogue’s face.
He wanted to run. He knew he couldn't win against an Alpha. But if he turned his back, he would die.
So, he did the only thing left. He lunged.
The man smirked. “Good,” he growled. “You at least have courage.”
The ensuing clash couldn't be called a fight. It was a massacre. The Alpha dodged a clumsy swipe, then slit the rogue's throat with a lazy flick of his claws.
In seconds, it was over. With the wolves dead, total silence returned to the woods.
I clutched my dagger, stumbling to my feet and backing away.
Now that he wasn't a blur, I could see his face.
He wore black clothes and a long trench coat. A mask covered the top half of his face, but his eyes demanded attention.
They were gold, glowing in the shadows.
My breath hitched as he stalked toward me. I was too weak to fight regular wolves, let alone an Alpha.
I raised the dagger. “Don’t come any closer,” I warned, trying to inject steel into my voice. “I have a silver blade.”
A smirk touched his lips, but he ignored the weapon. He kept walking.
When he was close enough to look into my eyes, he stopped. “Do you feel it the way I do?” he whispered. “That... undeniable pull?”
I shuddered and swiped at him. He lazily slapped the dagger from my hand.
Before I could blink, his hand clamped around my wrist.
His grip was iron. His gold eyes narrowed as he jerked me against his chest, leaning down to my neck.
His voice was a low rumble, and his words sent a shiver down my spine.
“Why...” he murmured, his tone smooth like velvet. “Do you smell like you belong to me?”