Aria kept running; she thought it was surprising yet amazing how fast he measured up with her. Even though he was a wolf, she was supposed to be faster; she was not just any hunter.... Just then, Aria felt a strong force grab her and pin her back hard against a tree bark. She groaned in pain as she struggled to break free with different moves, which he blocked. "Stop fighting, I'm stronger than you. Stop running, I'm faster than you." He said, his voice, a low, angry growl between clenched teeth, made her belly rumble and sent a twisting chill down her spine. "There is really no need to brag," she said, as she finally stopped struggling. "Who the f**k are you?" "The girl who will sever your head from your body and bring it to my people, to pour our wine in it and drink in celebration." Maverick angrily punched into the tree, less than an inch from where Aria's head was, and she dodged in fright, her eyes widening. "And I'm the man that will f**k you, make you my slave, and when I'm irritated much more than I am by your presence, give you to my soldiers to mate and enjoy..." He brought his face to her neck and sniffed her. "Hmmm. The treacherous blood of a Nighthunter moves in your veins. It will be my pleasure to spill and drain it out of you." He said, and Aria, who thought she was brave only a few minutes ago, began to sink inside, and even Maverick noticed it. Suddenly, the mighty strength Aria thought she had vanished into thin air, and her legs withered as Maverick's strong hand pressed against her chest. What had she gotten herself into? She thought she could handle him; she thought she would finally bring this trophy to her family. She was wrong.
Chapter 1 Prologue : The Favoured One
In the deepest trench of the most dangerous wilderness on the outskirts of the city. A creature, dark and gracious as the moonlit night, ran rigorously through the forest trees and grassy bushes. It's speedy, threatening, and violent. Its dark fur continuously shimmered as it dashed through, swift as an elusive shadow. It's growl, sending slower creatures protecting themselves from the evils that reside in this wilderness
About a mile or more behind, slimmer shadows of nocturnal beings ran swiftly in pursuit of the wolf. They were not vampires, but they ran so swiftly and dangerously. There were 4 of them racing with the wind in an attempt to reach the wolf.
"He must not reach the barrier!" A loud, hoarse, scary voice shouted onto the night as he ran with inhuman speed. The person beside him, a man, nodded in comprehension as he reached back and retrieved a bow and arrow from his back. The arrow's sleek, metallic body glimmered in the moonlight, its silver hue standing out in stark contrast. The man paused, drawing the arrow back against the bowstring as he took aim at the moon. He closed his eyes, whispered a brief incantation, and then released the bow, letting the arrow soar into the night sky.
With a burst of speed, the wolf sprinted towards the finish, his paws pounding the ground in a frantic bid for victory. As he realised he was nearing the end, he surged forward with renewed energy, confident that his pursuers would be left in the dust. But just as he launched himself into a final triumphant leap, a searing pain exploded through his back, refusing to subside. The wolf's triumphant cry turned to a deafening roar of agony as he felt the silver arrow strike him with unerring precision, its tip embedding deep within his body. His leap turned into a desperate plummet, his momentum lost as he fell towards the ground, the invisible barrier that marked the forest's edge looming ahead.
He tried to get up but could not. He reached uncomfortably for the arrow on his back but could not reach for it. He had to be strong. He knew it. If not, he was going to die here.
"NO!" A voice screamed suddenly.
"You might have escaped today, but we will not stop until we find you." One said.
"We will not stop until every Wolfkin of Lunaris is dead!"
And that was when he realised that he had crossed the barrier. He still had a chance. He could survive.
It growled and continued at them as it struggled to get up now. And leapt continuously till it turned to a weak, weak run.
In its weakness, the creature, half dying now, looked towards the forest one last time, at the people who had shot it, and said,
"The moon has favoured me."
It gave a weak howl and disappeared into the depths of the night, leaving behind only the echoes of its fleeting presence. It never looked back.
Other books by Rhii
More