CHAPTER FIVE: THE HUNT.

SELENE'S POV.

The night air sliced through my skin like ice, but it wasn't cold that made me tremble, it was the way Darius Thornveil was looking at me.

He didn't move nor did he blink. He just stood there in the middle of the forest path like some vengeful god who'd been waiting for me all along. His eyes had a molten flame quality and were locked on mine for some minutes. Instantly, I forgot how to breathe 

I heard "Run". My instincts screamed before my brain could even process, but where was I going to run it, since Dairus was standing like he owned th? Fores?? On the other hand, I decided to take the bull by the horns and walk away since he was not saying anything. He was just standing there staring at me. I spun around and bolted into the trees, branches whipping my face, roots clawing at my bare feet. I didn't care what the outcome would be, I just had to get away.

"Selene!" His voice roared behind me, thunder echoing in the night.

"Where are you going? Don't make this harder than it already is!" 

Harder? I nearly laughed, though my lungs were burning. He was one of the reasons my life had turned into this nightmare, and he dared to sound like the victim?

I pushed harder, faster, ignoring the pain in my legs. Every sound, the crack of twigs, the crunch of leaves all echoed like an alarm bell. My wolf whimpered in my head but I shut it up immediately. My mind was up and I was not going back. I could feel his presence getting closer. The air seemed to vibrate with his power,  his Alpha dominance crawling over my skin like fire.

A branch snapped behind me. I was surprised to see that. I quickly ducked and veered sharply to the right, but before I could take another step, something heavy slammed into me from the side. I hit the ground with a choked cry, exploding through my shoulder.

Instantly, I was pinned, Darius's massive frame above me, one hand gripping my wrists, the other braced against the earth. His breathing ragged my eyes, burning with something I couldn't name..

"You want this bond?" His jaw clenched.

"You think I asked for it?

"Yes! I spat. " Because it's ruining my life. If you did not ask for it, it shouldn't be a concern to you where I am going."

He flinched, just barely, but I saw it.

We were both breathing hard, the forest alive with silence around us. For a moment, there was only the sound of our hearts pounding, mine, wild, his steady and deep. Then, suddenly, the sound I heard before Darius showed up, I heard it again.

A guard patrols.

I quickly ran and stayed behind Darius. He was surprised to see me behind him. He didn't know what I was avoiding and I was not going to tell him.

The guard patrol quickly passed. They were discussing something that I could not understand this time.

Darius quickly turned his back.

"Cursed one, what are you doing at my back? Do you think you can harm me? You're fragile, you little one."

I looked at him but didn't say a word. I waited patiently for the group patrol to pass.

As soon as they passed, I got ready to continue my journey but was stopped again by Darius.

"Who are you running from? You think I will not find out? Caelum's men just passed and they are after you."

I flinched.

I thought he didn't hear the guard patrol passing.

"He knows you ran," Darius's voice hardened. 

"And he's coming."

The cold washed over me like a wave.

"You'd better go back, else if you're caught it'll be more terrible."

"No! Never! In fact, I would rather die now than go back." I shouted..

"Do you think what you're doing now will stop Caelum from hunting you? Darius cut in sharply.

"He'll burn half this forest to the ground if he has to. And when he finds you, he'll drag you back chained."

"I'd rather die than go back there," I whispered.

Immediately, I ran off. My wolf was whimpering in my head but I did not listen. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me deep into the forest. 

I got to a particular dirty water and my instincts started warning of evil. 

My wolf also signaled me to be careful. I knew when a small danger was coming and when a danger that could take my life was coming.

I quickly ran into the water to cover my scent. My whole body turned brown and looked so dirty. I didn't mind because I know that one of the ways for Caelum's men to get me is if they can perceive my scent.

After entering the dirty water, I started walking gradually into the forest but didn't know where I was going.

As I walked down, I started hearing some growling, which I attributed to Caleum’s men and my instinct did not deceive me. They were the ones but now they were trekking.

As their voices were coming closer, I hid at the back of an oak tree but could hear them very well.

“Search around so she could be around. I can sense she's around.” One of Caleum's men growled.

They searched and searched but didn't see me. They even crossed the oak tree but didn't see me nor did they perceive my scent because of the clay water I entered into and I was so grateful to my instincts for suggesting that.

“I can perceive her scent slightly. You know what will happen to us if we don't find her and bring her back to Caelum. This is a matter of life and death. Would you want your life to be taken because of this cursed girl?”

They all said at once.

“No, sir.”

“If no is the answer, put your best effort to get her because she must be around but in case you didn't see her here, we can walk deeper into the forest. We must get Selene. We can't go back without her.” he growled.

As they searched around and could not see me, they all went to the forest. I still hid there without even taking a step. A whole lot was going through my mind as I was hiding there.

What if a dangerous cobra or python falls from the tree top on me?

What if I am attacked?

A lot was going through my mind. I felt shivers down my spine as I was waiting for Caelum's men to pass again before coming and continuing my journey.

Suddenly, I started hearing their growlings and his better so that they won't see.

As I held the oak tree so firmly, I heard a shout.