THE ALPHA'S HUNTRESS

GR

sval, my boots sinking slightly into the soft ground. Every step felt to

ntern casting flickering shadow

reaking the silence. My voice came out sha

nce back. "What? D

beneath my sleeve. "I'm just saying, it feels like

have woken up to witness another night," he replied, his

d plants were so dense they looked like a solid wall, their edges curling inward like they were guard

t me and smirke

eling the curtain away as if it were nothing more than cloth. My mouth slightly gaped when the almost

ared, unable to find the words for what was in front of me. It was breathtaking that my

was Ash

t below me, its surface catching the glowing light of the moon. Tiny boats bobbing gently along the water, th

d lazily from chimneys, carrying the scent of burning wood and faint traces of cooking meals. I coul

was menacing, though-it was beautiful, almost protective, li

all wash over me. For once, it didn't feel like the world was closing

ing everything in shades of amber and gold. I walked slo

s twisted like the branches of old trees. Ivy crept along the walls, weaving in and out of

ally glancing back at me. "Beautiful, i

ee with that,

ught and shrugged his sho

scar running down her cheek, a harsh contrast to her otherwise soft featu

her o

Asval r

a threat,

uckle. "Just kidding, she's not. She

She stopped, as if she was w

id He

Ingrid. I'm Isabella,"

my eyes drift to the bla

to you." Asval cut in, "Ma

ed?" I

e said, already

motioned for me to f

who stared at me as if I were something unus

as I managed to keep up with Isabella'

she said. "For h

s?

ing on her heel to face me. Her gaze locked onto mine, sharp

ers tightening into fists. "This place? It's for people like us. The ones without claws, with

"And who de

simply but it carried wei

beneath the open archways, each one set with mugs, candlesticks, and scatt

me-thick with the smells of roasted meat, stale

ls. The main room was crowded, full of people talking, laughing, and arguing, their voices a constant buzz that mixed with the clinking of mugs

step. Up here, the noise from below faded into a dull hum, and the air was colder. The hallway was n

s blanket thin and patched. A single window let in a sliver of moo

the cold stones beneath the plaster. It wasn't m

hing me as I rubb

bella said, leaning against the doorframe. "It'

already

her throat. "He didn't survive when those bloodsuckers attacked

res still pass through this place? I thoug

ers are hungry for blood they will do whatever it

on't know what the Alpha's intention behind saving and keeping us alive b

lucky one, even though those monsters attacked you, you didn't

r face, did those vampires do it to her? Isabe

naged to survived." she answered, her eyes b

hose vampires will attack them again. Death looms over their he

out of my sight with the door closed. I sat on the cot, the thin mattress creaki

o be true. And things that sound too good

uldn't have been more than ten, his face smudged with d

wkwardly

ame?" he said.

I said. "I'm Ingrid.

e's a healer. She provides herbal medicine so when

Your mother's ama

g around the room. "It's not so

ed, leaning forward. "

fingers gripping the d

e wh

ud might summon them. "They are bad! They hunt us! But you'll be okay,

They sure do trust

w go on, before your mothe

, Ashenfall was far from safe. But for now, it was the only lead I had and I wasn't about to waste it. If this is the o

kind of monster he is. I made up my mind and will do whatever means

far simpler than I expected. Now that I know he has a soft spot for humans. Man

showing compassion and sympathy towards humans

hat will consume

will be the reason