A Stranger In The Woods

*Gwenriel's POV"

The liquid hit my tongue like fire.

Naeja’s fingers clamped around my jaw, forcing it wide. She tipped the bottle and poured every last drop down my throat.

I choked, sputtered, and tried to spit, but she held me firm until I swallowed. The moment the last of it slid down, she released me. I collapsed onto the cold stone floor, clutching my chest as a vicious tingling heat spread through my veins.

“What… what did you do to me?”

Her lips curved into a wicked smile. She crouched in front of me, gripping my jaw again so I had no choice but to look at her.

“You see this?” She waved the empty bottle in front of my face. “Lunar heat elixir. If you don’t mate tonight, you’ll die.”

My eyes widened. “You witch—”

I raised my hands to claw at her, but her open palm cracked across my cheek hard enough to snap my head sideways. I clutched the burning skin, staring up at her as she rose to her full height and towered over me.

“Consider this revenge for trying to seduce Alpha Kael.”

“I wasn’t—”

“Save it.” Her voice was pure ice. “Don’t worry, Gwenriel. I’ll make sure you don’t die. I’ll make sure someone satisfies you."

On cue, the door opened.A male walked in. Rugged. Filthy. A thick scar carved through both eyes, leaving them milky and cruel. He was hefty, muscular, and reeked of unwashed sweat and stale ale. He grinned when he saw me on the floor, a low, hyena-like cackle bubbling from his throat as he came closer.

“No—get away from me.”

He reached for the ties of my dress. I drove my knee up into his groin with every ounce of strength I had. He folded with a strangled groan. I scrambled to my feet and bolted for the door.

“Don’t let her escape!” Naeja’s shout followed me into the corridor.

I didn’t look back. I ran.

Through the pack house, past startled sentries, out into the night and straight for the tree line. My lungs burned. My skin felt too tight, too hot.

Every step sent a fresh wave of that cursed heat rolling through me. If other males found me like this, they would take what they wanted without hesitation. And if I didn’t mate at all…

I would die. I plunged deeper into the forest until the pack lights were only distant glimmers behind me. My throat was dry. My body throbbed. I slowed, then stopped, resting my back against a thick tree trunk while I tried to breathe.

The dress suddenly felt unbearable. I wanted to tear it off. My hands skimmed over my own skin, searching for relief that wouldn’t come.

A low, resonant growl rolled through the trees.

I froze. A twig snapped somewhere to my left.

“Who’s there?” The darkness shifted.

A massive shape stepped into the weak moonlight. Black and white fur, shoulders twice as broad as any alpha wolf I had ever seen. This was no ordinary wolf. This was a beast. Drool glistened on its fangs. Amber eyes burned like molten flame as they locked onto me.

It stepped closer.

I pressed harder against the tree, heart hammering. I had no wolf, no shift, no defense. Even if I somehow managed to call on a form I didn’t possess, this creature would tear me apart in seconds. I opened my mouth to scream, but the sound died in my throat. I had run too far; no one would hear me.

I braced for the attack.

Cool breath ghosted across the side of my neck instead.

I opened my eyes.The beast was right there, muzzle lowered, inhaling deeply against my skin. The scent of me. Heat and fear and whatever the elixir had done—seemed to hold it in place.

Slowly, the massive body began to change. Fur receded. Bones cracked and reshaped. In moments, a man stood where the beast had been.

Dark hair fell past his shoulders. He was tall, powerfully built, and still far too close. One large hand braced against the trunk beside my head.

The other rested near my waist, caging me in. He leaned in again, nose brushing the sensitive skin beneath my ear, breathing me in like I was something rare and intoxicating.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. His voice was low, rough, almost careful.

“Am I hurting you?”

I looked at the stranger in disbelief. His words were soft, almost gentle, as if he hadn’t just cornered me against a tree in the form of a massive beast only moments ago.

“I… yes… no,” I managed, my voice shaky and thin. I couldn’t tell whether the tremor came from fear or from the merciless heat already crawling under my skin.

He leaned in again, inhaling deeply near the curve of my neck. When he spoke, his voice was deep and strangely tender.

“What kind of wolf are you?”

I opened my mouth, but no answer came. The world tilted. My vision blurred at the edges until I could barely make out the sharp lines of his face. I clutched the front of my dress as another wave of burning need rolled through me, stronger than the last.

“Are you okay?” His voice reached me through the haze.

“No,” I whispered. “I’m not. I need help. Please… help me.”

He started to pull away, putting careful space between us. Panic flared. I grabbed the front of his clothes with both hands, fists tight in the fabric, holding on as if he were the only solid thing left in the forest.

“Please…” I breathed, not even certain what I was begging for. “I’ll die.”