3

“Be careful at night, Auryn. It's dangerous out here.” Mia's words ring in my ears, and I swallow, my body on high-alert, but I keep my pace steady, turning at the next corner I see.

The moment I'm out of sight, I stop, press myself against the wall and wait. Seconds later, footsteps round the corner, and I strike, grabbing the stalker’s wrist and twisting it as I shove them against the wall.

“It-It’s me.” The voice is familiar. I take a closer look and release my grip when I see it's Liam, but I don't drop my guard. He turns to face me, an embarrassed look on his face as he massages his arm.

“You’re following me? What the hell?”

He rubs his neck nervously. “I just… wanted to make sure you get home safe.”

“Then you could have asked?”

“You seem really strong. And since you refused Jessica's offer, I didn't think you'd see the need to have me accompany you,” He lowers his head. “I'm sorry.”

He’s not wrong. If I get attacked, I'll probably be the one defending him. But most importantly, I don't want a potential boyfriend to see the dump I currently live in.

My shoulders loosen a bit. “I’m good. Besides, I'm pretty much home already, so you don't have to worry.” I still find it strange how I didn't notice him following me till now.

Have I gotten too comfortable?

“Oh.” He says, voice devoid of any emotion. It makes the hair on my neck stand straight. My eyes narrow suspiciously and I instinctively take a step back. “I guess we'll do this here then,” He mutters, eyes darting around.

“Do what here?” I take another step back, this time in the direction of the open street, but he blocks my path, and for a second, I swear his eyes flash a dangerous red.

It's just a trick of the light. It has to be.

“Eat.” He says casually and in the blink of an eye, he's in front of me, nose buried in my neck as he sniffs. I don't hesitate to knee him in the groin, but he's back where he was standing before my knee reaches him.

“H-how…” I trail off.

He didn't run. He just appeared in front of me and disappeared. There was no sound. Nothing. No human can do that.

“Fuck!” He moans as though on the edge of ecstasy. My eyes dart around, in search of an escape route, or something to weaponize. At the same time, I'm taking out my pepper spray, and the pocket knife in my back pocket. “You're not human. I don't know what you are, but your scent…” he trails off, exhaling slowly. “It's maddening.”

Before I can process his words, his body jerks, releasing a sickening series of cracks as he falls on all fours. His canines elongate, sharp as daggers, and his fingers twist into claws. The red tint I mistook for a trick of the light deepens, his eyes glowing with a feral hunger. His bones shift with a crack as his muscles bulk, fur sprouting across his skin.

My face pales as I stare at Liam— No, the wolf in front of me. I take several steps backwards.

How am I supposed to take down a wolf that's almost as tall as I am? All the alarms in my head are going off, and I feel fear creeping in like a slow-moving tide, but I exhale, my breath steady.

It'll be fine, Auryn. He won't dare to let you die.

The wolf tilts his head to the side, “I want to know. What do you taste like?” His mouth doesn't move, but I can hear his voice, loud and clear.

“Your last supper!” I spit, my eyes darting around expectantly but no one comes.

He releases a low growl before lunging for me, claws swiping at the air, aimed at my chest. I turn on my heels and race down the alley, hissing in pain as his claws meet the skin on my back.

“Just a few drops of your blood, and my senses feel sharpened,” He lets out a low growl, and I hear him lunge for me again.

I come to a sudden halt, spinning on my heel and charging straight toward him. His claws scrape across my shoulder, but I drive the silver knife into his chest. It's not deep enough to cause serious damage, but the silver should be enough to slow him down long enough for me to escape.

Wrong.

He doesn't even flinch and slams me into the ground. My blood runs cold, my stomach twisting with disgust as saliva droops from his mouth to my face. “You really are interesting. If I were just a werewolf, you might have given me more than a mild shock.” He gives me a smile that'll haunt me even in death, before sinking his fangs into my shoulder. He rips out the flesh, blood splattering across my face.

A bloodcurdling scream rips through me as tears flood my eyes, burning down my cheeks. The pain is unbearable, nothing like I've ever felt before.

Before he can take a bite from the arm with the pepper spray, I raise the bottle to his eyes, spraying it directly inside. That works because he lets out a pained howl as he shuts his eyes, giving me a chance to slide out from beneath him. The very moment I leave, he swipes at the space I was in.

Close call.

I turn to run, wincing from the pain in my shoulder.

Where the fuck is the bastard that's meant to protect me?!

“Bitch!” I hear the wolf say as he appears in front of me, his claws swiping down at my chest. I lose my footing and fall to the ground, another scream ripping through me.

I already expected the pepper spray’s effect wouldn't last long, but why does he recover so fast? I thrash around, punching and scratching, but it does nothing. It's as though he doesn't feel anything. Realizing there's no escape, I stop. “Just end it already,” I say through gritted teeth.

To think I've been reduced to screaming and scratching. Humiliating.

“Humans taste better alive.” He says.

“Fuck you!” My voice is laced with hate and anger. But it isn't directed at the wolf. It's directed at the bastard who's watching all this yet won't do anything.

He'll regret this.