Chapter 1: Prologue

The sharpness of him on my lips made the sensation of hunger run through me. I had the desire to gorge on him once more, but I knew that was just what he wanted.

I could not breathe, and I could not get my mind back in check; it was as if he had done something to me. The distant roar of him was evident as he picked up my scent, its trail leading him right to the prize he desired.

"Fuck!" I cursed loudly as I pushed harder.

My bare feet flying across the forest floor with unprecedented speed. There was pure fear that coursed through my very soul. The only thought I could comprehend between it all was that I didn't want to die.

If he caught up to me, there would never be another chance to escape. He would eliminate me if he could not have me, and the only thing I could think of was, how could I be so stupid?

I had become a victim in his mind games and made a fool of myself. I should never have gone off alone and unprotected.

My heart throbbed at the loss of him, but my mind reminded me of the curse of his love. It was not true love. It was not the mate bond. His touch seemed so real, but the connection inside me told me it was a lie.

Casting a glance over my shoulder, I could not see him, but I knew all too well he was there. My heart was racing in my chest, and the sudden feeling of fear overwhelmed me.

I could see his tenebrous eyes piercing into my inner being. The steely gaze made my skin rise and my inner soul scream out. For once, I had been the halfwit, and I had been played at my own game.

There was only one thing that I could do—run.

Run as if my life depended on it because now it did. If he caught me, there was no doubt in my mind that he would not hesitate to kill me. I needed to get home—back to where I belonged.

The mate bond calling me back home.

A sudden release of bliss washed over me as I continued. Realizing I still had an advantage on my head start. There was no denying my pursuers' persistence. He had been chasing me for miles, and I had kept my distance thus far. Fatigue slowly settling in, I found myself unsure of how much more I could take.

A burning light seemed to grow brighter in the distance, like a fire calling me home, yet a darkened silhouette seemed to hold that light. Glancing around, I was shocked to find many figures and all holding weapons ready to fire on the monster behind me.

"HOLD THE LINE!" A rough voice called out into the darkness.

I knew that voice.

That sultry sound that wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

With a sudden thud, I ran straight into something substantial, and the recoil of that impact sent me to the ground. Looking up, I found the most fantastic onyx orbs I had ever seen in my life.

Slowly, the tears began to fall upon my dirty, spattered cheeks. The man, in utter shock, bent down, grasping my hand, and pulling me to my feet.

"Clarissa?" He whispered through softly parted lips. His eyes casting glances over my face, unsure if to believe I was indeed standing there.

Just as the electric volts waved through my body from his touch, I was sucked back into the black abyss of my mind. My eyes shot open as I jolted upright in bed. My heart racing and my breath coming in quickly.

This time, the dream felt so real. The panic raced through me, telling me to go to him, but I had no idea who the mystery man was. How was I supposed to find someone I didn't even know?

"What the hell had just happened?" I murmured to myself, holding my chest. The beads of sweat trickling across my skin.

That was one heck of a nightmare.