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The sky transformed, fading from vibrant oranges and pinks to deep blues and purples. The rhythmic rush of the river served as a soothing backdrop, its gentle whispers mingling with the sounds of the forest. With a heavy swallow, I stepped out of the car, my senses acutely attuned to the wild beauty around me.
The anticipation of the impending confrontation with Aric weighed heavily on my shoulders, but in this moment, I allowed myself a brief respite. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, the scent of the pine trees and the cool, crisp air filling my lungs. It was moments like these that reminded me of the world’s beauty, its vastness, and the complexities of life.
My reprieve didn’t last long.
The stillness of the clearing by the river was broken by the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. I stood there, my senses alert, anticipating his arrival at any given moment. A twig cracked in the distance, and I stilled, listening resolutely for any more signs of approach.
I was alone, and right now, I was at a distinct disadvantage. He could attack from any direction, and I needed to be ready.
The first sign of his approach came as a distant rustling, faint and almost imperceptible. I listened more closely, realized that it was the subtle sound of leaves crunching underfoot and sticks snapping beneath the weight of his relentless advance. My heart pounded in my chest as I braced myself for the inevitable fight, but then a stark realization came over me.
Aric wouldn’t approach like this. He was a skilled hunter. He knew how to mask his steps, to walk through a forest in total silence until he happened upon his prey. He’d done it to me time and time again.
My instincts flared, and I tensed, my muscles coiling in readiness.
I paid keener attention, realizing that there was more than one set of footsteps coming for me. I closed my eyes, recognizing that I was surrounded on all sides.
There was at least six of them and there was nothing I could do but prepare myself for the fight of my life.
As the approaching men drew nearer, I stood tall, my posture unwavering and imposing. I squared my shoulders, and every muscle in my body tensed with a feral readiness.
When they finally emerged from the shadows of the forest, my heart dropped.
There was no sign of Aric among them.
Instead, a group of eight battle-hardened fighters, their faces etched with grim determination, stepped into the moonlit clearing. Confusion and realization crashed together in my mind.
Aric had played me. I hadn’t anticipated this.
I gritted my teeth, cursing myself for not seeing his true agenda sooner. Aric had always been cunning, and I had underestimated his ruthlessness. Lexie was alone and vulnerable, and I was stuck here, facing these men in Aric’s absence.
She could be in danger.
The fighters formed a semi-circle around me, their weapons glinting in the moonlight. I ground my teeth together, my fists clenching.
In the distance, the river murmured softly, a reminder of precious time slipping away. With grim determination, I raised my fists, ready to face these fighters and buy myself the time I needed to reach Lexie before it was too late.
Glancing quickly around the circle of men, I took a moment to study my competition.
They wore dark, camouflaged clothing that blended seamlessly with the shadows of the night. Each of them was armed, their weapons gleaming ominously in the moon’s silver glow. Some held rifles, their barrels glinting coldly in the night, while others carried handguns holstered at their sides. The moonlight caught the metallic sheen of knives strapped to their belts.
Their faces were obscured by masks, making it impossible to discern their expressions, but the confident set of their shoulders told me that they would be formidable opponents. They moved as a unit, closing the distance around me with a calculated precision that spoke of their experience.
I tensed, fully ready for battle.
My instincts took over, and I felt my transformation begin. My muscles coiled and shifted, my bones rearranging themselves with a series of satisfying cracks. Fur sprouted across my body, and my senses sharpened. In the blink of an eye, I was a wolf, sleek and powerful, ready to defend what was mine.
The forest erupted into chaos as the eight fighters closed in on me. I prowled on all fours, my hackles raised and fangs bared.
My instincts were on high alert, every sense finely tuned to their movements. The leader of the pack lunged at me first, his roar reverberating through the night. With a lightning-quick motion, I dodged his attack, my claws grazing his arm as he sailed past. Blood spurted, and he howled in pain. I jumped at him and slammed my paws right into his breastbone, and he fell, knocking his head on a rock.
He didn’t get back up again.
Around me, the other fighters encircled, their weapons trained on my form. Bullets tore through the air, but I was a blur of fur and muscle, evading them with an animalistic grace. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, but none of it was mine.
A bullet whizzed past my ear, sinking into the tree beside me. I froze for a moment, realizing the stakes had just been raised. They were using silver bullets. They knew my weakness, and they were exploiting it.
I needed to be careful.
