LOGINThird Person's POV
Now that she'd finally managed to push him away, Elena wasn't about to get back in a car with him.
The cramped, private space of a vehicle—filled with Zander's lingering arctic cedar scent—would only shatter the fragile emotional wall she'd just spent all night building.
Even though this private resort was secluded and far from the city, finding a way to hitch a ride with another werewolf wasn't impossible.
As soon as she was out of h
Third Person's POV"Zander, look... I'm really not trying to be a creep here."Elena's fingers were beet-red from the cold, and she fumbled with the frozen buttons on his shirt. She kept up a low, nervous stream of chatter just to break the silence."Your clothes are soaked, and you're burning up. If you stay in these, you're just gonna get worse. I have to... I've gotta dry them out."Inside the cave, the firelight danced, orange shadows pushing back the dark.For the first time tonight, Elena could actually see him.Between the blood loss and the freezing cold, he looked a little less intimidating than usual—almost vulnerable.But being pale didn't make him look any less like a masterpiece. Without that aggressive edge, his face looked almost too perfect to be real.Still, trapped in a cave with hitmen on their trail was definitely not the time to be checking him out.Elena snapped out of it, pressed a hand to he
Third Person's POV"It's freezing out here—how is there a live rabbit behind these rocks?!""Who cares about a rabbit! Are you starving or something?! Focus! Let's go check that pine forest up ahead. It's thick over there and the scent is messy. Zander and that bitch are probably hiding in the brush!"As the chaotic footsteps gradually faded down another mountain trail, Elena finally felt her nerves slacken.She slid down the stone wall, collapsing onto the ground and letting out a long, shaky breath.With the massive rocks blocking the entrance, the air inside the cave quickly turned stale and thin.Elena felt a dizzy spell hit her, but she didn't dare push the stones away yet.These professional killers were paranoid by nature; she was terrified they were just faking a departure to stake out the area.If she let her scent leak out now, it was game over for both of them.Sure enough, just as the thought crossed he
Third Person's POVThe howling night wind carried the jagged, brutal curses of the hunters getting closer by the second.Each word felt like a blade scraping against Elena's raw nerves, making her eyelids twitch and a cold sweat soak through her shirt.This natural cave had plenty of space inside, but the entrance had eroded over the years, leaving only a narrow, jagged fissure barely wide enough for one person to squeeze through.Elena was already running on empty, her legs shaking like leaves.But she didn't dare slow down. She stayed hunched over, hauling Zander's dead weight deeper into the suffocating gloom of the cavern.She bit her lip until she tasted copper, using the sharp sting of pain to keep her consciousness from slipping.Grabbing Zander's frozen collar and bracing her feet against the rough stone walls, she dragged him inch by agonizing inch into the dark.Faintly, the wind whistled through the gaps, bringing th
Third Person's POVShe was terrified.She was so scared that even if Zander had managed to ditch the car, he might still end up dead from his injuries in this freezing river."Zander... where are you? Can you hear me?"Elena's voice was shot, but there was still no answer. Despair started to set in like a cold tide.Standing on the jagged rocks and staring into that pitch-black water, she actually thought about jumping in to find him.But then what?The river was massive, the current was brutal, and the underwater terrain was a death trap.She had no idea where he'd been swept to.Jumping in would just be suicide—she'd never find him."Ah—!"Just as she was hitting her breaking point, her foot caught on something massive.Already running on empty, she lost her balance and slammed down onto the rocky shore. Her palms were sliced open by the stones, blood stinging as it seeped out, but she
Third Person's POV"That place is a nightmare to track... I just hope a small she-wolf like you can find the entrance in the dark. The magnetic field out here is a mess, so don't count on your mind-link working. If you and your friend actually make it to that cave tonight... this lighter might be the only thing keeping you from freezing to death.""Thank you!"Elena gripped the waterproof pouch tight and gave the driver a grateful look.She didn't waste another second, turning to sprint down the slick, winding path toward the river.By some crazy twist of fate, she actually knew exactly which abandoned village and cave the driver was talking about.Her grandfather had spent his final years living in that exact spot as a hermit.It was a desolate place with no resources, so the young, strong wolves had all left for the city—mostly to the slums—long ago.Once the elders passed away, the village turned into a ghost tow
Third Person's POV"About three miles ahead, there's a hidden logging trail. It leads straight to the lower section of the river. Take that path. Get me to the riverbank as fast as you can, and I'll pay you an extra ten thousand dollars on top of the fare!"The driver had witnessed the brutal ambush firsthand.The lure of ten thousand dollars was enough for him to risk his neck. Without a second thought, he yanked the steering wheel, veering the car into the pitch-black woods.Elena gripped the door handle so hard her nails dug into the leather.She knew if she let the driver continue on the main road or tried to jump down the cliff right where it happened, she'd run straight into those armed professional killers.She wouldn't just fail to save Zander; she'd be a lamb walking into a slaughterhouse.Right now, she had to gamble.She gambled that Zander's body was strong enough to kick open a mangled car door before it hit the ri
Elena's POVThe late-night wind, damp with fog, swept up from the river channel.I had just walked out of the recording studio and hadn't even had time to fully button up my coat when a massive, suffocatingly familiar scent washed over me.Pine resin, cold iron, and that hint of ozone before a thun
Elena's POVMy heart tightened. I quickly answered. "Director, calling so late...""Elena, I'm really sorry."The director sounded helpless and embarrassed."We... found a voice actor who is a better fit for the role. You don't need to come in to sign the contract the day after tomorrow."My heart
Elena's POVThe guest room was pitch black.Outside, the thunder tore through the night sky like the roar of a giant beast.Selene said she was afraid of thunder. I was, too.The moment the thunder struck, the tension in my blood vessels, which had started to dissipate from the alcohol, tightened a
Elena's POV"Tsk, still so tough?""Tough girls don't get the love, babe. Be nice, and we'll take care of you.""But, if it were at that moment..."He suddenly leaned in, his hot, wet breath on my ear, whispering something utterly vile and crude.The stench of cheap liquor mixed with lust made me p







