Sarah’s POV
The sharp pain in my feet was nothing compared to the fear pounding in my chest. The branches scratched my arms as I pushed through the dense woods, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Every step felt heavier than the last, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone-or something-was close behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder for the hundredth time, my heart racing with every sound of snapping twigs or rustling leaves. Was Ryan still chasing me? His growls and screams had echoed in my ears earlier, but now the woods were eerily silent.
When I finally felt like I couldn’t run any farther, I stopped and leaned against a thick tree. My legs trembled, and my lungs burned as I struggled to catch my breath. The moonlight trickled through the canopy above, casting ghostly patterns on the forest floor.
I sank to the ground, resting my back against the tree. My hands trembled as I clutched the earth beneath me, grounding myself in its coolness. My body begged for sleep, but my mind screamed at me to stay alert. I couldn’t afford to be caught.
But exhaustion won. My eyes fluttered shut, and the sounds of the forest began to fade into a distant hum.
—
A rustling sound jerked me awake. My eyes flew open, my heart hammering against my ribs as I scanned my surroundings.
The forest was still, but the sound came again-leaves crunching underfoot. Slowly, I turned my head toward the noise.
And then I saw him.
A massive werewolf stood a few feet away, its fur glowing silver under the moonlight. My heart stopped. I scrambled backward, pressing myself against the tree as if I could merge with it. My pulse roared in my ears.
The werewolf didn’t growl or lunge. It just stood there, staring at me with eyes that weren’t filled with rage or hunger but something else entirely-calmness. Warmth.
Then, before I could make sense of it, the wolf began to shift.
Bones cracked and reshaped, fur receded, and in a matter of seconds, a man stood where the wolf had been. He moved with an ease and confidence that left me stunned.
He bent down, grabbing a neatly folded set of clothes from the ground, and slipped into them as if this was the most normal thing in the world. When he straightened, I felt my jaw drop.
The moonlight illuminated his face, accentuating his sharp jawline, his striking eyes, and his tousled dark hair. He was impossibly handsome, the kind of handsome that made you forget how to breathe for a moment.
I quickly realized I was staring-drooling, in fact. My mouth went dry as he raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
“You’re staring,” he said, his voice smooth and rich like honey.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I scrambled to my feet. “I wasn’t-”
“You were.”
He chuckled softly, the sound making my stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with fear.
I took a step back, suddenly feeling vulnerable under his gaze. “I… I should go.”
Before I could move any farther, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist gently but firmly.
“Wait,” he said, his tone soft but commanding.
I froze, unsure whether to pull away or listen.
He stared at me, his eyes searching mine, and then he said something that sent chills down my spine.
“Sarah.”
My breath hitched. “How do you know my name?”
His grip on my wrist loosened, but he didn’t let go. “Because I’ve been looking for you.”
I shook my head, taking another step back. “I don’t know who you are, or what you want, but I can’t-”
“Stop,” he interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “You’re safe now. I promise.”
Safe? The word felt foreign, almost laughable. I pulled my hand free, my instincts screaming at me to run, but something in his gaze rooted me in place.
“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
His lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile. “That’s a long story. One I’ll tell you when you’re ready to hear it.”
I took another cautious step back, my mind whirling with questions and confusion. “I don’t even know your name.”
He tilted his head, studying me as if deciding whether or not to answer. Finally, he spoke.
“You can call me Alec.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. The forest around us seemed to hold its breath, and for a moment, everything was still.
“Alec,” I repeated, the name unfamiliar on my tongue.
He nodded. “And you’re Sarah. A name I’ve known for a very long time.”
Before I could ask what he meant, a distant howl pierced the air, making my blood run cold. Alec’s expression darkened instantly, his playful smirk replaced with a seriousness that made my stomach knot.
“Go,” he said, his voice urgent now. “We don’t have much time.”
“Go where?” I demanded, panic rising in my chest.
“I’ll explain later,” he said, stepping closer and placing a hand on my shoulder. “But you need to trust me.”
Trust him? I didn’t even know him. And yet, as his eyes bore into mine, I found myself nodding.
“Good,” he said, his voice softening. “Then let’s get moving.”
And with that, he turned, leading the way into the depths of the forest, leaving me no choice but to follow.