Chapter Five

(One Day Ago)

Elissa.

I didn't stop walking, not when the sun went down, not when it felt like my bones were going to break if I took another step. The wind was merciless and the sun was harsh, scorching hot on my skin.

The moon was my only companion, it gave me strength to keep going, its light illuminating my path. The salve worked and all the bruises were gone. I got to a large clearing and found a cabin with lights ahead.

I didn't think before heading in the direction. It was risky but I needed a place to rest, so I dragged my exhausted limbs there.

I leaned on the door, my breathing ragged, spots danced in my vision as I raised one hand to knock on the door. I heard movements inside, the door opened and before I knew it I was falling.

The shouts were distant, distorted.

I tried to say something but my mouth refused to cooperate with me.

Darkness enveloped me.

When I woke up I met the couple staying there for a weekend in the woods, Betty and Hugh were nice and accommodating. They even took me to the hospital, putting their vacation on hold.

I was relieved when I saw that we were far from the woods. The town was filled with houses, no trees in sight, streets bustling with cars and people walking around.

"Do you need anything else?" Betty asked when they took me home. I had given them another version of my story. The couple didn't have kids so they asked me to come stay with them, believing that I was an orphan who got lost in the woods while hiking.

Hugh had asked if I was going to college or a university. I was confused, wondering if that was also a human thing.

So I nodded.

But I was stunned when Hugh told me to get ready, that he was taking me to school. I dressed up in one of the clothes Betty bought and followed him, agreeing with whatever he said.

If I need to stay alive then I need to find a way to blend in.

---

{PRESENT}

The scent was subtle, almost not there but I got a whiff of it.

Bathed in the sunlight, he looked like a demigod with broad shoulders and a towering height. His brown coat fitted him perfectly, long legs in black slacks, books in one big veiny hand.

His jaw was defined, marked with dark stubble. His cheekbones high, his nose arrow-straight and proud. There was a dark freckle just below his right eye. And...those eyes. Goddess. Eyes were not that color. I'd never seen that shade of green before, a jade so bright and vibrant that it didn't look real. I'd noticed the filaments of golden brown threaded through both of his irises, the devastatingly handsome man staring back at me, my professor.

He is a werewolf.

Alarms blared inside my head.

What if he was sent from the pack?

Had they caught me?

That would be too soon!

I haven't even gotten used to the human way of living yet and I liked the old couple who took me in.

Panic surged through me in waves.

Are they okay?

"Settle down," his gruff voice echoed. The tone was commanding and firm. I found myself shrinking into the chair just like he ordered.

There was something about him, I couldn't quite place it. His eyes met mine again and something inside me stirred. My cheeks heated and I looked away, wondering why it was suddenly so hot. My insides were burning and I hated how my thighs clenched.

I have never felt this way before, not even with Lucian.

Now just one glance from this strange man is making me want to throw myself on him so he can rip off my clothes.

Pathetic.

I'm still trying to lay low here and I need to know if he isn't going to kill me after the class is over.

He started teaching and I did what others were doing. Thankfully I learnt how to read and write from my pack's healer so I was able to take notes even if I didn't really understand. Some students asked questions and I watched as he answered smoothly.

He was here with humans and he had blended in well unlike me. I swallowed when I felt his eyes on me.

He wasn't the only one stealing glances. I couldn't stop staring at him too. The strange feeling was there, it was just confusing to me.

After the class I stood up, grabbed my things and rushed out in a hurry to be out of there as soon as possible. Espen's sacrifice will not be for nothing. Lucian and his father must really want me gone.

With my heart in my throat, I rushed down the hall, wrapping my arms around the book crushed tightly on my chest, my heart almost exploding out of my chest.

What am I supposed to do?

I can't just make it this far to get caught. My skin prickled with an uneasy sensation that I was being watched or possibly followed.

I darted for another corner and broke into a jog, not wanting the humans around me to pay attention to my trepidation. The quiet corner I followed led to the cafeteria. Without thinking twice I hurried to the crowded area-

A yelp escaped my lips as I was suddenly yanked back with brutal force. My books fell on the ground, a sharp tear of fabric made my eyes widen as I realized it was the material of my blouse ripping on the back.

My back hit the wall, and pain shot through me along with a jolt of electricity when a large hand gripped my neck, choking me and almost crushing my windpipe.

Tears burned at the back of my eyes while I glared at the bastard, my professor glowering at me like I was a scourge from the depths of hell.

"Who sent you?" he hissed. I could feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

What is he talking about?

My vision was getting blurry fast. He was tightening his grip as he spoke and I was too weak to fight him off or even claw his hand. He was bent due to his intimidating towering height, so his handsome cruel face was inches away from mine.

"Answer the damn question or I swear on the moon goddess I will snap this scrawny neck of yours and bury your worthless body where no one will ever find it," he threatened harshly. I could tell, heck, I could feel it, the man was dead serious.

I was trapped in the hands of another predator.

And today might be the day I die.