vi

agony. I don't know how long I've been here, half-submerged, my body battered and bruised. The wounds on my side throb painful

ed, spinning. A thick mist hovers over the riverbank, sh

e pain is sharp, but I grit my teeth and push m

ep forward, my bare feet sinking into the damp ground. The forest looms ahead, dark and still. I s

in the darkness, hunger and violence dripping from their snarls. Their bodies are thin but strong, their fur

burn, my vision swims, but I don't stop. The soun

t fast

ime to feel the pain. The rogue wolves close in around me, teeth bared, ready to rip me apart. I scramble bac

od, his muscular frame barely covered by tattered clothing. But it's his eyes that send a shiver down my s

rous beast emerges, towering over rogues. Dark fur. His muscles ripp

rong and fast. Blood sprays, snarls turn into screams. One rogue is torn

eams at me to run, but I'm frozen in place, watching as he turns to me. His

the nearest tree, my fingers gripping the rough bark as I haul myself up. I stay still, trying not to make a single

heard hi

n see

Could he really see me? Slowly, I shift, peering down. My heart leaps to my th

arms crossed. "You nee

ak but at least I'm not dum

gain." He said

. He's leaving. I bite my lip, hesitation cl

second-guess myself, I climb down. But he doesn't sto

front," h

. My vision blurs slightly, exhaustion weighi

und my wounds. A faint scent of cinnamon. I bolt upri

xplodes in my head,

sits beside me, smiling warmly. Her silver hair is tied ne

she says. "Y

t by a lighted candle. The walls are wooden, the bed beneath me sof

k again, my voice

s, my first thought is Bloodmoon. Did he

resses a gentle hand to my sho

eed to

leave," I say,

"You're in no condi

mind racing. "Who

emories from earlier flooding in. My stomach tu

the room. I look up to see him walk into the room, I hold my breath as he steps into