Chapter four

CHAPTER FOUR

"You don’t have to do this," I said, taking two steps backward away from him, my palms sweaty.

"Don’t worry. I’ll be quick," he smiled wildly, his eyes glinting in the dark enough to make me squirm.

Rapheal was not just a werewolf—he was a beast with terrifying strength. Veins popped out of his large arms, his pupils darkening as he approached.

The streetlight, as if in unison with my death sentence, kept flickering on and off. I inhaled the moist air clinging to one side of the wall.

Perhaps, I thought, this was a good spot to put up resistance against Rapheal. Let it be known I didn’t die without a fight.

"Stop sticking to the walls!" he growled. "You’re just making this harder on yourself. I love to chase my prey."

"Hurting me would also mean hurting yourself!" I screamed back, hoping someone had heard me—that rescue was on the way.

My heart dropped.

There was silence… then Rapheal’s voice.

He released a low grumble. "I am the to-be Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. Nothing can hurt me!"

"We’re still mates, remember?!" I shouted, panic rising in my voice. Had I just barked up the wrong tree?

"Mates," he scoffed, like it was the most disgusting, irritating word he'd ever heard. "I dissolved that a long time ago—when I was fucking Cammy," he said calmly.

My eyes widened in horror and disbelief. So he had broken our mate bond a long time ago? He had gone that far to deceive me into thinking we were in love?

I felt so stupid hearing his confession. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for believing his lies, his promises, his fake love.

"Wait a minute. You thought I loved you, little omega?" he chuckled, the impact of his words startling even him.

The laugh was low, mocking. It punched me right in the gut. I hated myself for not seeing the signs—for falling in love with a murderer.

"I loved you, Rapheal. How could you?!" I screamed, releasing all my pent-up frustration. "You made me fall for you—meanwhile, you were in Cammy’s pants the whole time!"

I wanted to scream, to hit him, to plunge a dagger through his chest for killing Cammy. But instead, I replied calmly:

"I loved you, Rapheal. Why? Was Cammy just a tool for power?"

"Sorry, love, that I had to kill Cammy." He scoffed. Using his werewolf speed, he appeared next to me. "I’ll have to kill you too." His long claws trailed along my neck in a sick, playful manner.

I closed my eyes as he touched my neck. I was disgusted, but I couldn’t fight him—not like this.

He pushed my head slightly, exposing my neck veins. Licking my ears softly, he whispered,"You don’t even know who you are, Hermosa. That made everything easy."

*What is he trying to say?* I repeated over and over in my mind. *Who am I?*

I guess I’d never know now. A tear escaped down my cheek as I waited for death’s lovely embrace. The business card slipped from my hand, falling to the ground.

His fangs slid out, grazing my neckline, ready to snuff out my life force. I stiffened.

This wasn’t death—it was pure torture. I could feel his warm breath against my skin.

For a moment, I thought I sensed hesitation.

"If I can’t be with her, nobody else should," Rapheal murmured in my ear.

The streetlight, as if in unison, flickered off. The night was perfect—too perfect—for this kill, he mumbled against my ears teasing me.

Just as quickly as the thought came, it disappeared. At least she would get a memorable death*, he reasoned.

In one swift motion, his fangs plunged into my neck. I let out a loud yelp as blood dripped from his mouth. Then, just as suddenly, he threw me aside.

I landed on the ground with a thud, my eyes wide open, blood gushing from my neck.

It felt peaceful.

Odd.

Quiet.

Watching yourself die was supposed to be horrific. But I smiled weakly.

The image of Rapheal stumbling, reaching for his neck and chest as if he had been poisoned, made it feel more peaceful.

I had managed to scare him—and that was enough.

He wasn’t that powerful after all.

My vision blurred. I watched as his eyes blazed red and he formed a fist—ready to finish me off.

Then I heard a loud grumble from down the street.

So loud, it rang through my ears.

It strengthened me… and at the same time, filled me with dread—and hope.

Rapheal recognized the sound instantly.

He wouldn’t be caught.

He sprang to his feet, blood still making him dizzy, and ran into the dark street—leaving my body behind.

Cold.

Empty.

Discarded.

Footsteps thundered after him as he ran blindly.My vision faded completely… as the wounds finally took over.