Larissa: It come!

He completely ignored the venom in my voice, acting like this was some harmless flirtation.

'Heaven help me. Did he see through me? Did he know I was bluffing... that I couldn't actually fight him?'

A tremor ran down my arms.

"Let go of me… or I'll scream!" I shouted, struggling, trying to shove against his solid frame.

However, it felt like pushing against an unbreakable stone wall, unyielding and firm.

My efforts were completely useless.

He dragged me toward a more secluded area, shoving me behind a large tree. I pushed myself to twist, fight, and tried to dig in my heels, but every second, my strength seemed to drain away.

Still, I refused to give in.

"Do you know who my husband is?" I hissed, desperation edging into my voice. "He's an Alpha! I've linked to him... he'll come for me. And when he finds you, he'll destroy you and your entire family!"

I lied with everything I had, hoping to scare him into releasing me. The truth, of course, was bitter and cruel; I couldn't mind-link Alpha Mark at all.

He chuckled darkly.

"Haha... Do you really think I believe that?"

He sneered, yanking me further from the path, shielding us from any passerby.

"You're not Luna. How could Luna be this weak?"

His words pierced deep—because they were true.

I cursed him silently. Repeatedly!

Yes, I knew martial arts, but that training was meant for fighting humans. Against a werewolf his size, with his strength, I was nothing.

And he knew it.

After trying to escape him but failing, I am now back in the forest, surrounded by towering trees.

Somewhere in the distance, a faint hum of a car passing. I must be close to the road! But here, in this secluded, shadowed place, no one would see us. No one could hear me.

'Moon Goddess, I pray to you, and beg you. Please… help me. Save me from this lunatic…'

For the first time, I felt really weak. I couldn't fight anymore.

He yanked my arm roughly, dragging me toward him with brute force. My face slammed against his filthy, reeking chest.

The pungent stench of wine hit me again, burning my nose and twisting my stomach in nausea.

Then,

His greasy, bloated face inched closer to mine. Fear and panic seized my chest. I can feel my heart racing chaotically.

"HELP! PLEASE...SOMEONE HELP ME! SOMEBODY, PLEASE..."

I screamed until my throat burned raw, the words ripping from me again and again, until my voice cracked and my strength vanished.

"Don't hurt your pretty voice, darling…" he murmured, smirking.

Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't let him see my fear.

When his face hovered just an inch from mine, I spat at him with all the rage I had left, praying it would infuriate him enough to loosen his grip.

But it only excited him more.

"Mmm… oh dear, even your saliva tastes sweet," he whispered, licking it from the corner of his lips.

'Damn it! Why am I in this hell? Moon Goddess, where is your mercy? Please… please…’

But no answer came. No power surged within me. No miracle. Just the cold certainty that this lunatic—this monster—was bold enough to try to rape me in broad daylight.

One thought flashed like lightning through my mind: I'd rather die than let him touch me.

I clenched my jaw and pressed my lips tight, preparing to bite down on my tongue.

"STOP! Please… don't hurt me…" I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. I didn't even have the strength to scream anymore.

I shut my eyes, blocking out the sight of his ugly face.

"I want to taste your lips—" But suddenly, his voice stopped.

And then... so did his grip.

My knees went weak, and my body slowly slumped down in shock.

'He let go of me?'

My thoughts trembled as the darkness that had been consuming me cracked, and light began to spill in.

Heart pounding, I slowly opened my eyes.

What I saw left me frozen in place.

The man who—just a minute ago—tried to rape me was now kneeling a few steps in front of me. His greasy face hung low, his expression hollow, like half his soul had been drained.

His massive frame trembled, and sweat poured from his skin like water from a cracked vessel.

Countless questions surged through my mind.

What the hell just happened? Why did this disgusting man look so utterly terrified? Like he had come face-to-face with the God of Death himself.

Despite my confusion, instinct screamed this was my only chance to escape.

The man looked like a broken statue, crumbling, paralyzed. But the way his eyes darted and broadened toward something behind me. He made it clear…

He wasn't afraid of me.

I slowly tried to stand, my legs still unsteady, but froze as his trembling voice stopped me.

"My lady, forgive me..." His words came out in a shaking, breathless whisper, sending a chill through me. "I will punish myself. I'll cut off my hand and tongue… for daring to offend you…"

'What…?' I stared, completely dumbfounded. 'Had I imagined that? Did he just say he would mutilate himself?'

I blinked, hoping this was some hallucination. But when I opened my eyes again, I saw the nightmare unfold.

With shaking hands, he pulled a small silver dagger from his jacket pocket. Without hesitation, he slashed his wrist.

Blood sprayed through the air. The coppery scent hit my nose instantly.

I gasped, recoiling as red splattered across the forest floor.

But he wasn't done.

With a grunt, he lifted the dagger and drew it across his tongue. I watched in frozen horror as the blade sliced it in two. Blood gushed from his mouth, mixing with his muffled cries.

It all happened so fast.

I stood paralyzed, my body still trembling from the earlier attack.

The man staggered back, blood pouring from him, then turned and ran. He didn't look back—not once—as though death itself was chasing him down.