02

02

I almost forget to breathe.

He straightens slowly, dim light tracing the scars that run down from his neck to his forearm. His gaze stays fixed on me, cold and unblinking.

When he moves, he moves with grace and intent. “Lost?" He raises a brow, voice low and edged with amusement that doesn't reach his eyes.

My throat tightens, fist clenched as I struggle to speak.

He tilts his head, watching me like I am something fragile… or something he might trample on just to see how easily I break. Then almost gently, he asks. “Why are you here, little wanderer?“

As if on cue, the creatures chasing after me blasts out of the trees, each one a terror on its own, red eyes arranged in fours above their heads, canines sharp and saliva scattered around their overly wide mouth..

Dark, growling, all coming for me.

I look between the man and the hound, already making my choice. “Kill me." I say, looking back at him.

His brow raises in amusement. “And why should I do that, little wanderer?"

“You were going to kill me anyways… Do it, now!" I ignore Reyna's warning, voice filled with determination despite my shaky hands.

His lips curl. “That's where you got it wrong. I don't need to get my hands dirty." He regards the hounds who have now stooped a few feet away with boredom. “I'd rather watch them do it.“

Then he steps back, arms akimbo.

The weight of his words shakes me to core, and I feel stupid for even asking. Growling in frustration, I hobble to my feet, twirling to face the snarling creatures itching to attack.

I notice that they don't seem to move closer despite looking like they would attack. “Why do you want me to kill you?" His question stops me in my tracks.

“Because it's better to die in your hands." I reply without looking back. Gritting my teeth, I let my fingers transform into claws as I ready myself for a fight, now realizing that running won't save me right now.

I rush at the hound closest to me, rearing back when it lunges for me, then I get under it, waiting for it to snap its teeth at me.

I take that opportunity to slice at its eyes. It howls, immediately slashing its claws at me but missing its aim due.

Another one reaches under it, teeth clamping on my leg, making me scream, I push forward, adrenaline pumping into me as I slash at it anywhere I could.

Each slash accompanied with frustration and a scream, it let go of me, just as another one tries to bite onto my head, I manage to dodge that and jump to my feet but another one sinks its claws into my side, making me double over.

I struggle to get out of its hold, jabbing my elbow into its hard skull over and over again but this only makes it more aggressive.

I have been unable to shift for a while and in times like this when I am super active, Reyna would sit back and watch.

Too weak to do anything.

Maybe even weaker than me. “Watch out!" Reyna warns as another one runs straight for me, teeth bared, mouth open wide enough to bite into my head.

I thrash against the one holding me, using all my strength despite growing weak as blood gushes out of my sides.

Beads of sweat coats my forehead, my cloth is torn until almost nothing remains on me, everywhere has darkened and pain at my side makes me feel light.

“We have to shift."

“No! I can't." Reyna insists.

“We must." I yell back at her but she refuses. In a desperate attempt to stay alive, I try to force a shift and it almost works for a second as I manage to rip myself out of the hounds hold, letting the other one bite into its head.

But the moment I land on the floor, I change back and Rayna further disconnects from me.

A sharp pain travels though my skull to my spine, making me lose control of my limbs as the adrenaline evaporates, leaving pain in its wake.

There's too much pain, it aches everywhere.

“Fuck!" I hear a loud curse among the thundering of feet.

The hounds circle me, and all I can do is watch, body limp, losing blood and out of breath.

My body begins to convulse as my wounds refuse to heal.

I now realize that the hounds smell terrible, like dead bodies. It's a pity my end will be in this unknown, cold place.

Without a pack or a mate.

Or the chance to clear my name.

And all I can think of is if the pitch black eyed man will bury me If I die. I hope he buries me in a warm place.

A place that feels like home.

The hounds bark as they all rush towards me at once, I close my eyes, envisioning my own death.

One second.

Two

Three.

Nothing happens.

My eyes snap open when I hear the snapping of bones and whimpering. I inhale sharply at the sight before me.

Four hounds surround one man, each snarling but hesitating to get near him, their ebony tails are tucked in between their legs, head bowed.

It's almost as if they... Fear him.

He doesn't seem to care about this thought, he moves faster than anyone or anything I have ever seen, even faster than Alpha Vesper.

At that thought, my heart clenches.

The man blasted forward, sending a kick to the first one in front of me. I can only gasp weakly when I watch it crash into a tree and slump to the ground.

Dead!

I watch as he grabs another by the throat and with a loud crack, its head snaps to the side. The other two begin to retreat but he grabs them both by the leg, while managing to dodge their claws.

The man throws them to the side, they tumble, rolling on the floor with loud whimpers. Without giving them the chance to recover, he rushes over to them, hands transforming into claws.

Then blood spills everywhere.

By the time he stands to his feet, he is drenched from head to toe, his emotionless eyes snaps my way, making me tremble.

What exactly is this man?

Before I can blink, he's by my side, lifting me to his lap. I grunt in pain, shaking my head. “I— it's no use. I” I struggle to breathe. " Please bury me in a… warm place."

“Shut up!" He demands.

But I smile. “Y-you are w—warm.“ My teeth chatter. " Can you tell me y-your.“ Goddess! I feel pathetic right now, he's the last person I will see before death, I must at least know his name. " N— name?"

He doesn't reply, watching me take my last breath. I try not to feel disappointment as black spots fill my vision and my life begins to fade.

“ Asger.“

That is the last thing I hear as I breathe my last.

~P-Lia~