54. Stranger In The Woods.

Rose’s POV

The morning air was crisp, the dew soaking my shoes and brushing against my ankles as I ran through the woods. My legs burned, my lungs ached, but there was a strange sense of freedom in moving through the trees, away from the nightmare I had about Adrian the previous night, the city, away from everything I was trying to escape. I had been running for a while, trying to clear my mind, to let go of Adrian, of the past, of the lingering weight that followed me like a shadow.

But then my foot caught on a hidden root, and I fell. Pain shot through my side as I hit the damp ground, and I groaned softly, pressing my hands to my skin. I tried to push myself up, but the angle was wrong, my ankle twisting painfully. I cursed under my breath.

Suddenly, I sensed movement behind me. My heart jumped, my senses on high alert. “Who’s there?” I called, my voice wavering slightly. My mind raced. Was it a pervert? A psycho? Someone here to attack me? I swallowed hard and tried to get up, but my body refused to cooperate.

Then a hand gently touched my shoulder. The contact sent a jolt through me—firm, reassuring, not threatening. I looked up, startled, and froze.

The man standing before me was… unlike anyone I’d ever seen. His presence was commanding, almost supernatural, though I told myself it was just my imagination. He was tall, built like a demi-god, and his skin was pale, almost luminous in the morning light. His hair was dark, falling slightly over his forehead, and his eyes… his eyes were sharp, piercing, like they could see through me. Is this a wolf?... vampire... Vampire don't walk during the day.

He offered a small smile. “You okay?” he asked, his voice deep, smooth, and somehow… calming.

I blinked rapidly, still a little in shock. “Y-Yeah… I—I just… fell.”

He crouched slightly, offering both hands to help me up. I hesitated for a moment, then allowed him to pull me to my feet. The sensation of his hands on mine sent a strange cold through me, and I quickly pulled back, embarrassed.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, my cheeks flushing.

“Be careful next time,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. “The woods aren’t exactly forgiving.”

I nodded, trying to shake off the nervousness. “I’ll… I’ll watch my step.”

He stood fully, brushing imaginary dust off his clothes, and studied me for a moment. Then, finally, he spoke again.

“I’m Damion,” he said, introducing himself. “And you are?”

“Rose,” I replied cautiously. “Rose… um… nice to meet you.”

He gave me a small nod, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Rose. That’s a nice name.”

I hesitated for a moment, still trying to collect my thoughts. His presence was overwhelming, like the energy of someone far beyond human. I tried to push the thought away, telling myself he was just… a man. A really, really good-looking man.

“So… what brings you to the woods?” I asked, trying to make conversation, trying to mask the unease in my chest.

“I could ask you the same,” he replied lightly, his tone teasing but not mean. “I came to clear my head.”

I blinked, not expecting that answer. “Clear your head?”

He nodded, gazing off into the trees for a moment before looking back at me. “Yes. Sometimes, a walk in the woods helps.”

I couldn’t help but glance around, realizing for the first time that I had lost track of where I was. Panic prickled along my spine. “Oh… I think I’m… lost,” I admitted quietly, feeling a bit foolish.

His eyes softened slightly, and he immediately stepped closer. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I know these woods well. I can help you out. I come here often.”

I looked at him, puzzled. There was something strange about him, something magnetic that made it hard to look away. Yet, at the same time, a flicker of fear ran through me. Who was this man? He didn’t look like a normal human, nor a wolf, vampire, or even a demon. His scent… it was different, almost intoxicating, but I couldn’t place it.

I shook my head, trying to focus. “Thanks,” I said softly. “I… appreciate it.”

He smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on me. “It’s no problem. I insist.”

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice how effortless his movements were, how every step seemed deliberate yet natural, almost predatory, yet calm. My heartbeat quickened, not entirely from fear, but from something I couldn’t quite identify.

---

Damion’s POV

When I saw her ...a prey , wanting to strike at the right moment.

Then she fell, something about her caught my attention immediately. There was… an anomaly in her scent. Not human, not wolf, not demon, not vampire. Yet she wasn’t any of these—at least, that’s what my senses told me. Most of the time, I could read someone’s nature instantly. Not her.

She was human, but there was something… deeper, something hidden, something I couldn’t sense. When I approached her, she was on the ground, and instinctively, I offered my hand to help. There was a fleeting warmth, an energy that radiated from her, subtle but potent.

I had intended to be cautious. She could be dangerous. She could be anything. But there was curiosity in me, a need to understand. She was so… human, yet completely untouchable in a way I had never experienced.

I introduced myself carefully, keeping my voice calm. Her reaction was cautious, polite, yet there was a spark of recognition—an instinctual awareness of the energy I radiated. I noted every detail: her posture, her hesitation, the way she shifted her weight, the subtle tension in her shoulders.

As we walked, I realized she was lost. It was good—this gave me a chance to observe, to guide. I didn’t reveal much about myself. Not yet. She didn’t need to know who I really was. I didn’t even know her. To me, she was just… intriguing.

Her scent followed me subtly, not overpowering, but lingering. It was human, yes, but strange. It piqued my curiosity further. I found myself wondering about her background, her nature, her purpose. And the more I wondered, the more I realized I wanted to know her better—not just as prey, not as anything defined, but as a person....

What is she?... What does she smell like this ?.

---

Rose’s POV

We continued walking in silence for a few minutes, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound. My thoughts were racing, trying to process everything—the city, my new job, Adrian, and now… this man, this stranger.

“Do you… come here often?” I asked finally, trying to break the tension.

Damion glanced at me, a small smirk forming. “More than I probably should,” he said. “It helps me think. Helps me escape the noise of the city.”

I nodded, understanding the sentiment more than I wanted to admit. There was something about these woods, the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, that made me feel… lighter. Free. Yet, having him here, with that commanding presence, made it harder to breathe freely.

We continued walking, and I noticed the subtle way he observed me, the slight tilt of his head, the intensity in his eyes. It was unnerving but also… magnetic. I couldn’t explain why, but I felt drawn to him, compelled to keep pace with him.

And then I realized—I had no idea where I was. My sense of direction had completely failed me, and now I was at his mercy. Panic rose in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Damion noticed immediately. “Don’t worry,” he said gently. “I’ll make sure you get out safely. You’re okay.”

I nodded, trusting him, though I didn’t know why.... I should really stop trusting strangers.

By the time we reached the edge of the woods, I had calmed slightly. Damion had guided me, kept me steady, and though I still didn’t know much about him, I felt safer.

“I… thank you,” I said finally. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

He gave a small smile. “It was nothing. You’re welcome.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I… I should probably head back now.”

He looked at me thoughtfully. “You’re safe for now,” he said. “But be careful. The world… it’s not always what it seems.”

I smiled faintly, unsure of what to make of him. “Yeah… I’ll remember that.”

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back. He was still there, watching me, calm, composed, almost… unnatural. And though I didn’t understand why, I felt a strange pull toward him. A curiosity I couldn’t explain.

---

Damion’s POV

I watched her go, every movement, every subtle gesture. There was something about her that called to me, something I couldn’t yet define. I had intended to blend with humans, to search for the Luna… yet now, this human—this Rose—had captured my attention in a way I didn’t anticipate... Is she a demon instead?.

I sighed, a sound lost in the trees. I would have to learn more about her. I would have to understand why she smelled… different, why her essence was… hidden.

For now, I let prey go.