Chapter 1 The Hunt Begins

The wind howled through the trees, carrying the scent of blood and earth. Ana's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as she sprinted through the dense forest, her boots slipping on damp leaves. The moon above cast pale light over the landscape, but it was barely enough-shadows stretched long and twisted, swallowing her path.

He was close.

She could feel it in the air, in the unnatural stillness that followed her every move. He was hunting her.

Ana gritted her teeth, pushing her exhausted body forward. She had been running for hours, her muscles screaming in protest, but she didn't dare slow down. Because slowing down meant death.

Or worse.

Then-a sound. A low, deliberate crunch of leaves behind her.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She whipped around, drawing the small dagger from her belt, her fingers tightening around the worn hilt. Her pulse roared in her ears, but the forest was silent once more. Too silent.

And then-

A shadow lunged from the darkness.

She barely had time to react before a powerful force collided with her, knocking the air from her lungs. She hit the ground hard, the impact rattling her bones. The dagger flew from her grip, lost to the underbrush.

She thrashed, twisting, kicking, but it was useless. He was too strong.

A hand wrapped around her throat-not suffocating, but holding her still. A warning. A promise.

"You're mine now," a deep voice rumbled above her, dark and edged with amusement.

Ana's chest heaved as she glared up at him. Even in the dim light, she could see the sharpness of his features, the piercing gaze that locked onto hers with unshakable certainty.

The Predator had caught his prey.

And he had no intention of letting her go.