Five

Everything happened so fast that I couldn't process it, and just like that, the hunt began.

My miserable life was being hunted, yet I wanted to live so badly that despite the way my heart was racing in fear and my whole body was trembling, I stayed focused with the only thought in my mind.

To survive. At least that was what I owed myself. That was the only thing I had left on earth right now.

The loud humming of Ice's engine drowned out the fast beating of my heart. I engaged the throttle to accelerate, trying to get away from them as far as I possibly could, but fuck.

I had never felt how slow I was at full speed compared to a werewolf's speed in wolf form.

They were extremely fast, and that was something I knew. I had always watched in jealousy and craving as the wolfless girl I was.

Now I was experiencing it firsthand in a first-class seat while holding on to my life that was in danger.

Behind me, four massive wolves tore through the forest. Their growls were loud and terrifying.

They weren't wolves anymore—they were beasts chasing me down with so much anger and rage.

Just what the hell did I do?

Because they really wanted to tear me apart and kill me.

And how did I know? I could sense the intent to kill. The bloodlust was damn visible to me.

I could feel death waiting in the shadows for me. Goosebumps covered my entire body.

'I'm not going to die... I'm not, I'm fucking not dying.'

I glanced at my rearview mirror and saw their eyes glowing like demon lights. This was really happening. My own pack was hunting me down.

"They're right on me... damn it," I hissed under my breath.

They'd transformed into full wolves, hot on my heels, and as I expected, they closed the distance like it was nothing to them.

GRRRR!!

One of the wolves clawed at my leg, but I instinctively made a swift turn, evading the scratch. I yelped in rage filled with fear.

"Get away from me, you bastard!" I cried, gripping the handles tighter and forcing Ice to surge forward.

I had barely just escaped a close call that could have torn my skin easily and ripped through my bones.

Damn, I felt a cold feeling in my leg.

That was fear at its peak.

"Come on, Ice... faster, faster!" I muttered, gripping the handlebars as the speedometer climbed—60, 70, 80. My chest rose and fell in panic. But still, their growls pressed closer, their scent heavy in my nose.

Sweat was already forming, running from my head down to my neck.

From behind me, I heard Maxwell's voice bellow, "Make sure she doesn't get away! That's the order from the Pack Leader!"

What? My father?

No, no, no. It can't be. Why would my father want me dead?

It can't be. Maxwell was definitely lying and using my father's name to command the pack members.

That piece of shit!!!

I still couldn't control my heart that never stopped racing. "Over my dead body," I spat, though my voice cracked with fear.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

These weren't guards anymore—they were hunters. Bloodthirsty wolves trained for this, and they hunted exactly to kill.

And me? I was nothing. Just a weak girl on a bike who could only hope to flee from this bloody hunt, since I couldn't transform into a wolf to defend myself.

What the hell was I even saying? Even if I had my wolf, how the fuck could I defeat four raging beasts chasing me down—with Maxwell, one of the best fighters in the pack, leading them?

The path ahead was rough, branches whipping across my visor. "Hold it together, Ice... don't you dare fail me now," I muttered.

Then I finally saw hope right ahead of me. My eyes widened, and strength from nowhere overwhelmed me. My adrenaline pumped like crazy.

For a moment—just a moment—I thought I might actually make it. The speedometer hit 90. The wolves were falling back slightly. The border had to be close.

I could do this. I could—

Then I heard it. A much deeper and angrier growl from behind me, and I just knew who it was.

Maxwell's massive grey wolf form burst through the trees ahead of me, cutting off my escape route. He stood in front of me in a predatory stance, ready to pounce on me and tear me apart.

"Shit!" I pressed the brake and slightly turned the bike, drifting to a stop.

My hope shattered like glass. I was so close to jumping over the cliff, away from all the beasts trying to devour me.

Now I'd lost all hope I had.

Was I really done for?

Is this really how I was going to die?

Man... fuck it then. I wasn't going to make it easy for them at all.

If I was going to die, then I was going to die trying.

My hand gripped the throttle hard and fired up the engine. The tires spun wildly, and I moved forward—right at him.

But that was a mistake. A huge one I couldn't avoid, as my eyes suddenly glanced at the side mirror and I saw a wolf diving at me, claws slashing down.

Oh God, I thought.

It was indeed too late.

Two choices flashed through my mind in half a second:

It was either I let the wolf hit me and die torn apart on this road.

Or— I risk surviving the fall.

Without much thought I made my decision and that was to go down the cliff.

I twisted the throttle all the way and aimed Ice straight at the cliff.

The wolf's claws raked across my back as I launched into empty air tearing through my leather, skin and muscles, that pain exploded in my body as blood dripped down my back.

I endured the tear and the next second that I flew, jumping to the other end of cliff.

Realization hit me. I couldn't reach it.

Gravity remembered I existed, and I watched myself plummet toward the river below, Ice and I falling together into darkness.

I held unto my last thought:

At least I chose how I'd die.