Filed to story: When The Moon Hides Crown
Before it could turn, I launched myself onto a fallen log, springing off it in a burst of momentum and landing atop the bison’s massive shoulders.
My jaws snapped at its neck, but its thick hide resisted my fangs. The bison bucked violently, throwing me off with bone-rattling force.
I slammed into the dirt, pain bursting through my ribs, but I was already moving again, sheer will driving me forward.
As it charged once more, I darted under its swinging horns and raked my claws across its legs. Blood spurted. Not deep, but enough to stagger it.
Wear it down. Bleed it. Then finish it.
Over and over, I struck and dodged, relentlessly. My muscles burned, my lungs screamed, but I did not stop.
Phina roared within me, wild and furious, reveling in the raw, primal hunt. This was what we were born for.Hunger surged through my veins, I wanted this bison crushed beneath my fangs.
Finally, the bison’s movements slowed, its breathing ragged, its sides heaving. Its steps grew sluggish.
This time, when I leapt, I knew exactly where to strike.
With a final, powerful push, I sank my jaws into the vulnerable spot just behind its front leg, where even its thick hide coutdn’t protect it. I bit down, hard
The bison let out a shuddering groan and stumbled, its massive frame swaying.
Victory was a breath away.
Y crouched low, gathering every last ounce of strength for the finishing strike-when suddenly, a sharp burst of scent and heavy pawsteps shattered the air.
Werewolves! Phina hissed inside me.
I whirled, heart hammering.
Shit! It was too late for me to act or hide.
From the shadows, four wolves emerged, their eyes locked instantly onto me.
My stomach dropped.
Cassius, Reed, and two other Alphas I didn’t recognize.
The blood roared in my ears.
Why did it have to be them?
I took a step back, my body tensed to run.My inner voice screamed at me, ‘Don’t shift. Don’t reveal yourself’
Cassius’ golden eyes gleamed with interest. Reed’s lips curled into a smirk as he effortlessly shifted into his human form, followed by Cassius.
“A she-wolf?” Reed drawled, raking his eyes down my form. “In this dangerous forest?”
He flicked a glance at the bison I would have claimed if not for their interference.
Panic clawed at my insides, but a sliver of relief pierced through the fear.
They didn’t recognize me.
Not yet.
“Fuck, man. An Alpha she-wolf?” Cassius muttered, his voice thick with disbelief. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his posture lazy but his eyes razor-sharp.
Reed followed behind him, tongue flicking across his fangs like a snake savoring a meal.
“Such a rare beauty,” Cassius murmured, inching closer. His gaze devoured me. “I didn’t expect to find a she-wolf in this forsaken forest.”
“This is fate,” Reed grinned savagely, flashing his canines as the others crowded behind him, their excitement thick in the air like smoke. “The Goddess just sent us a feast.”
A feast?
A chill raced down my spine as Reed’s lustful gaze locked with mine, pinning me like a predator did its prey.Cassius laughed low in his throat, his hand shamelessly stroking his manhood as he grinned ear to ear. “Our days of struggle are finally over.”
“Yeah,” Reed agreed darkly, then barked out an order. “Surround her!”
The other two wolves moved in, hemming me in on all sides.
For a heartbeat, I froze paralyzed by the horrifying realization.
They didn’t want to kill me.
They didn’t want to fight me.
They wanted to violate me.
Disgust and fury exploded inside me, but I masked it under a veil of fear, letting them believe I was frozen in terror.
Closer. Closer.
They dropped their guard, thinking I was helpless.
In a flash, I lunged-sinking my fangs into the throat of the wolf blocking my escape. The coppery taste of blood flooded my mouth as l ripped through his flesh and spit the torn skin from my jaws.
Before the others could react, I bolted into the forest like a lightning strike.
“Catch that bitch!” Reed roared behind me, in the next instant, the sound of pounding paws echoed through the trees as they shifted into their wolves and gave chase.
They hunted me like rabid hyenas, snapping and snarling at my heels.
But they still didn’t know who I was.
Not yet.That was my only advantage.
I could fight them. I wanted to fight them. I could kill them one by one if I had to. But it would drain me. And I needed my strength-to reclaim the bison.
To survive.
Worse, if i fought back in my usual style, they’d recognize me.
Reed and Cassius were cunning bastards.