"Hmm… will I even get to eat tonight?"
Night had settled deep in the forest, turning the trees into shadowy, looming shapes. The air was alive with the sounds of unseen creatures. The moon, a thin half-circle, hung high, nearing its zenith. This should have been prime hunting time, yet Mireille hadn't caught a single prey. It wasn't surprising—she was weak. Half human, half vampire, life had never been easy. Her only solace was the vampire side of her blood, which let her go days without food. On fortunate days, she might stumble upon a camp of bandits and drink their blood as they slept. On unlucky ones, she could end up chased by a wild beast—or soldiers.
Tonight, luck had clearly abandoned her.
"Ugh… how much farther? Why is every prey hiding from me?"
She cupped her hands around her mouth. "Come out, little rabbits. I promise I won't eat you."
I'll just take a few drops… kekeke.
After wandering for what felt like hours, the forest began to change. Trees stood farther apart, their branches thinner, leaves sparse, and a strange, sharp scent hung in the air.
"What's this… wolves?"
"This isn't good. Wolves never hunt alone—but… something's off."
Then she saw them—deep claw marks etched into the trunks, clear signs of predators marking their territory. A sudden movement drew her attention. No, it wasn't just any movement—it was dangerous… and coming fast.
She dove behind a large rock, peeking cautiously.
Four wolves emerged from the shadows, their scent unnatural, predatory. She leaned closer, trying to get a better look while keeping herself hidden. Her eyes widened as the impossible happened—they shifted into human forms. Werewolves?
It hit her—she had stumbled straight into their territory. No wonder it smelled so strange earlier.
Taking in her surroundings carefully now, every claw mark and trampled bush screamed one thing: she had made a grave mistake.
"God… it's been a long time since I was last in human form." One spoke—tall, dominant, an unmistakable alpha. He moved with calculated grace, flexing muscles and claws. His body was perfect, long legs, precise proportions, golden eyes gleaming, sharp features almost too perfect for reality—like he'd stepped out of a film.
"Yeah, Lloyd… it'd be nice to stay like this longer, but those humans… too stingy," another said, remembering a recent standoff. Chill, controlled, yet deadly when provoked. Messy black hair, grey eyes that shimmered silver under the moonlight—he was both calm and dangerous.
Lloyd… she murmured, unable to help herself. The man was flawless—his black hair caught the moonlight, shimmering silver. The next one wasn't bad either—hmm… solid seven. No, no, no! Focus, Mireille. Escape first. But before she could act, another wolf spoke up.
A silver-haired wolf, hair glinting like moonlight, sniffed the air. "Something's… off," he said, red eyes glowing.
"Yeah, Zave's right," Seven added. "I smell it too… it smells like—"
"The scent of a bloodsucker?" Zave cut in.
Seven muttered, to no one in particular, "What's a bloodsucker doing out here?"
"Hold on, Zave," said a stunning white-haired wolf, purple eyes mesmerizing. "It's close."
For a moment, the forest fell eerily silent. Mireille froze—her best chance to escape was gone. She glared at the silver-haired wolf. Why do you have such a good nose?
"Damn these bloodsuckers," Zave growled. "Never good news."
"Alex, find it," Lloyd ordered, his voice low and dangerous.
Before she realized what was happening, Alex—the white-haired wolf—sniffed the air and pointed in her direction.
Damn it.
When their gazes swept toward the rock she was hiding behind, escape was no longer an option.
Alex sniffed again. "It should be very close."
Seven growled, "I can smell it too… it's right here."
Lloyd's eyes flashed gold as he stepped forward, claws flexing. "Come out, bloodsucker. We know you're there."
Zave cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Yeah… don't make us drag you out. That's never fun."
Seven tilted his head, sniffing. "Wait… this scent… it's not just vampire. There's something else, another scent… like—"
"Plants? What kind of vampire smells like a damn greenhouse?" Alex interrupted.
"Hold on," Zave said, eyes narrowing. "I smell human too."
Lloyd snarled. "Doesn't matter. Still a leech. Still needs to die."
They began circling the rock, claws flexing. Behind it, Mireille trembled, frozen with terror. Running was impossible—it would be a death wish. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, drowning out the wolves' steps… until…
Lloyd suddenly lunged forward, claws digging into the rock as he peered over the top—
"Got you."
His golden eyes locked onto hers, fangs bared. Mireille's body froze, caught in the gaze of a predator who clearly expected nothing less than her surrender.