Chapter 4.

Iris.

Lightning. Blinding lightning cracks across the sky, and that’s when I see it.

A monstrosity. 

A towering werewolf, drenched in rain, muscles taut and rippling with barely restrained rage. Each limb looks sculpted for violence. Its fur is slick, dark, and matted from blood and storm. Its breath steams in the cold air. Plumes spiral around its snout. Its eyes, blazing gold.

My heart stops.

God… I just fell into another creature’s war. All of them, beasts of the moon. Beasts of the night. Oh no!

Before I can blink, Josh is yanked off me like a rag doll and slammed against a tree. The sound is brutal, bones meeting tree. A snarl erupts next, feral and thunderous.

Immediately, the creature lunges again.

Another vampire shrieks, high and sharp, as the werewolf grabs him by the throat. I can’t look away. I should, but I can’t. With horrifying strength, the wolf tears him apart, limbs flying through the trees. Blood splatters across the leaves. The forest reeks of Crimson blood.

The third tries to escape. Too late. The beast bounds forward, pouncing. Fangs sink into flesh. There's a wet, tearing sound. The vampire doesn’t even get a scream out before he’s silenced forever.

“You motherfucker!” Josh’s voice cracks, furiously.

He staggers to his feet, bloodied but alive. Charging.

But the werewolf turns on him like lightning. No hesitation. He lunges, grabs Josh mid-step, lifts him high. Limbs flail, pointless. Another loud snarl tears through the forest.

Then fangs slice through Josh’s throat.

A gurgle. A choking gasp. Then silence.

The rain falls harder, as if trying to wash away the horror. But the stench of blood lingers still.

I’m paralyzed. Afraid. Alone now, with it.

The werewolf slowly turns.

Our eyes meet.

Twin golden flames bore into me. My breath falters. Shakes.

I scramble back, shielding myself instinctively. “Please… please don’t hurt me…” I whisper again and again, trembling.

All of a sudden, something shifts.

A cracking sound. Disgusting. Bones pop. Skin stretches. A wet, slippery sound of something unnatural unraveling. My stomach turns in disgust. I want to look away, but I can’t. My vision spell bound.

I watch in paralyzed horror as the werewolf begins to change.

The limbs retract. The snout folds inward. Fur falls off. Muscles twist and reform. Blood and mucus slide off the shifting form.

I gag.

Suddenly, the creature collapses forward on two feet.

And standing there, where the beast was seconds ago, is a man.

Naked.

His body is slick with sweat and rain, blood streaking down his sides. But the water quickly washes him clean. 

My gaze flicks downward. Unconsciously. I can't help it. 

He’s aroused. Thick. Hard. Bold. 

I inhale sharply, my throat suddenly tight.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

His voice is deep. Low. Concerned. Gentle, but laced with authority. A leader’s voice.

Lightning flashes again. I see his face more clearly now.

He's chiseled. Strong jaw. Straight nose. Rain dripping from his lashes. Those same golden eyes, still glowing faintly, like embers refusing to fade. His dark hair clings to his forehead.

He’s devastatingly handsome. And terrifying.

My mind spins. From near-death, to this. A creature. A monster. A handsome man.

He takes a step toward me. I flinch.

“Don’t…” I plead.

But he doesn’t stop. He continues and leans down, and before I can protest, he scoops me into his arms. His hands slide under my knees and around my back. I’m lifted like I weigh nothing.

He's too close.

His scent hits me. Earthy. Musky. A mix of blood and sweat and something else, something male. Primal. Addictive.

Our eyes meet again. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. Something stirs inside me, dark and wild. Desire.

No longer fear.

His gaze lingers on my face. My lips. He says nothing, but his eyes speak volumes. There’s heat in them. Hunger.

A dangerous kind of intrigue simmers between us. Something sinful and forbidden.

I should be running. Screaming.

But I’m here. In his arms. Spellbound. And I don’t know why, but I don’t want him to let go.