Looking at the trembling grass, Lloyd paused. The others arrived, peering into the space behind the rock, muscles tensed and senses alert.
"Where is it?" Zave asked, his voice low and careful, as if even a whisper could make it vanish.
Seven's grey eyes glinted coldly as he stared. "It's here."
"Yeah, still here," Alex confirmed, his tone flat but sharp, every word carrying weight.
Lloyd stepped forward, the ground crunching under his boots. "Heh… do you think you can hide from us?" His gaze cut through the shadows. "Even if you run, there's no escape. Show yourself, leech!"
Mireille sat curled inward, frozen, her body concealed by an invisibility spell—a standard vampire trick, though it sapped every last ounce of energy she had left. She could see them standing mere inches away: Lloyd, so close it felt like a predator looming over a trapped rabbit. In the literal sense, she thought, heart hammering. Her mind raced, trying to calculate even the smallest chance of survival.
"Could we be mistaken?" Seven asked, eyes narrowing.
"Are you doubting me?" Alex snapped, silencing him. He was right—his senses were remarkable. Werewolves already had a keen sense of smell, and Alex's was unmatched, sharp as a blade.
Zave muttered to himself, pacing slightly. "I've heard of this. Vampires use it for concealment. It should still be here somewhere."
Mireille glared at the silver-haired wolf. Damn it… I'm going to get caught. Her strength drained with every passing second—she hadn't eaten all night, and the spell had pulled even more from her fragile reserves. Panic surged as she tried to steady herself. Focus… think.
"Alright," Lloyd said, hands shifting, nails lengthening into gleaming claws. "Since it doesn't want to come out… we'll deal with it as it is." He swung his arm down at terrifying speed. The air seemed to vibrate as the claws cut through it, catching moonlight like polished steel. The others tensed, muscles taut, eyes scanning for any movement.
Mireille's heart pounded so loudly it seemed to echo through the forest. It's now… or nothing. Her spell faltered as she summoned the last of her energy. In one desperate motion, she canceled it, revealing her pale face, eyes wide with terror.
"Well, well… what do we have here?" Lloyd's gaze sharpened as he studied her delicate figure. Pale skin, the brightness of vampire red lips, blood-red pupils, jet-black hair tied in messy twin buns—her beauty was otherworldly, even in fear.
For a moment, Lloyd hesitated, a ripple flashing through his golden eyes before composure returned. The others were similarly stunned, unsure whether to kill her. Almost everyone, that is—Alex remained unmoved, a cold mask of indifference.
Even weakened, Mireille seemed ethereal, fragile yet captivating, the kind of figure that made time feel slower, that drew the gaze of anyone within a few feet.
"Oh, so you finally decided to show yourself," Seven said, breaking the tension. "Hm? She isn't even fighting?"
"A trap?" Zave's eyes flickered dangerously as he scanned the area. Finding nothing unusual, he turned back to the girl before them.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Lloyd's voice was deep, magnetic, dangerous. Every word seemed to hum with authority.
Mireille froze, caught in his gaze. I knew he was perfect… his voice is perfect too. She stared blankly, lost in the intensity of his golden eyes, before snapping out of it at the sharpness of his stare. She let out a silent shriek, shrinking back slightly. Lloyd straightened, studying her again with a calculated, predatory calm.
"It seems she didn't hear you, Lloyd," Matt commented, laughing lightly.
Alex looked on coldly, his expression unreadable.
"What are you doing wandering into our territory?" Zave demanded, voice sharp.
"I-I'm sorry," Mireille stammered, voice trembling. "I didn't mean to… I was hunting and accidentally… I—"
"You want us to believe that?" Lloyd interrupted, tone sharp and skeptical.
"Yeah… vampires aren't that clumsy," Zave added, scanning her carefully, noting every small movement.
Alex's gaze pierced her like an arrow. "It's all an act. Don't waste words. Just kill her."
Mireille's chest tightened. What the hell? This guy… ruthless. She stared at the white-haired wolf, purple eyes glinting with lethal precision, and felt everything else fade in comparison.
"Wait! I'm telling the truth! I didn't mean to come here, really!" she pleaded, voice cracking.
"Umm… maybe we should hear her out," Seven said hesitantly, glancing at Lloyd, then at Mireille. He's got a good heart… maybe an eight on personality. But his next words quickly dashed any hope.
"At most, if she tries anything, it's four against one. Handling her would be no trouble," Seven said coldly, eyes unflinching.
Six… fine, I'll downgrade him to a six. Wait, he's too good-looking—okay, seven stays. Her face contorted in frustration.
"No," Alex said sharply. "Kill her before she makes a move." Reality slammed back into Mireille.
"But… Alex, maybe she's telling the truth. Let's hear her out," Seven tried again.
Zave opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a crushing force descended over the group. The wolves staggered, knees hitting the ground, necks bared.
"That's enough," Lloyd's voice boomed with overwhelming authority. The pressure bore down on them, making even Seven brace with his hands to avoid face-planting.
He released the aura slowly, letting them regain balance. His gaze landed back on the trembling figure, breath hitching with every heartbeat.
"Speak," Lloyd commanded. "What are you doing scurrying around in our territory?"
"I-I was hunting… I wasn't paying attention… I didn't mean to come here…" Mireille's voice trembled, tears welling. The air felt thick, heavy against her lungs, as if the forest itself conspired to hold her captive.
Lloyd stared, studying her every microexpression, searching for lies. After a long beat, he looked away.
"Alright… we'll assume what you said is true. But…" His golden eyes flashed, assessing. "So what?"
"We're not letting you go just because you claim you wandered in by accident," he added, calm but deadly.
Mireille felt despair's icy grip. The others watched—some indifferent, some curious, some faintly sympathetic—but the danger was absolute. Her mind raced, trying to plan a next move, even though every option seemed impossible. I need to survive… somehow.