Angelise's POV
'Even the Moon Goddess can't save her.'
Those words echoed like a curse, my heart pounding like war drums. I thought I'd escaped hell, only to run straight into the devil himself.
The forest held its breath. Silence pressed down, unnatural and suffocating. The hounds weren't barking anymore; they were whimpering, racing toward their pack.
My eyes locked on his back. Broad, rigid, and radiating a cold aura that made my skin prickle. Was he my father's ally? Or had I just traded one monster for something far worse?
I felt him move, his shoulders dropping into a predatory crouch, ready to hunt those fleeing men. Without thinking, I rushed forward, my fingers curling around his wrist.
"Don't," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper. "Let them go."
His eyes darkened, blazing crimson red, ready to burn me alive. He tried to move, but I grabbed him with both my hands. My fingers shook violently, but I held on.
He glared at me, warning me to release, but I gripped him tighter and stubbornly shook my head. I was bold. Stupidly bold.
If he wanted to kill me, he'd have already done it in that tunnel. He hadn't, and that meant my father had sent him, or at least, I prayed he had.
"We need to get out of this forest," I murmured, my voice shaking. "Alpha Kendrick will send his troops. He won't stop until I am caught."
Yes, he was strong. Stronger than any werewolf I had ever come across. But starting a war would only give Azrael the upper hand. I belonged to him by decree, and the Werewolf Council would make sure I stayed, married him, and served him. That was the fate written for an Alpha's fated mate. And running was the only way to escape that deranged destiny.
"Please," I murmured, gripping him tighter. His skin against mine felt like a live wire—raw, vibrating heat spreading through my body, but I didn't let go.
Silence stretched, seconds dragging like centuries. My small hands barely circled his wrist, yet the devil didn't move, as if my fragile touch was a command he couldn't disobey.
Finally, he turned around, his gaze locking onto mine with such intensity that my heart stuttered.
He didn't say a word, but just dipped his chin once, slow, like a monarch. The air around us shifted, the forest finally exhaling in relief.
Did I just manage to tame a devil? My mind reeled at the thought, relief washing over her.
"We don't have time," I spoke, releasing his hand. "We should hurry."
The man nodded, taking a step back. My heart leaped at the small distance, but my body ached for his warmth. But I had no time for any fantasies right now.
"You should shift," I suggested. "We will be faster that way."
His face darkened.
"Please, hurry. I can't stay here any longer." I requested again.
My breath hitched as he stared at me, his eyes glowing crimson. It seemed as though I was angering him. Then something hit me.
"Wait." My voice faltered. "You… can't shift?"
"You don't have a wolf?" When he didn't respond, I pressed again, "Are you wolfless?"
He reluctantly nodded with a grunt.
My mouth widened in shock. My mind froze, refusing to process the words. Wolfless? That didn't make sense. No, how could such a strong man have no wolf? And without a wolf, how could my father trust him to protect me? I wondered, panic clawing my chest.
"Then how are we supposed to escape?" I sighed. "I can't run for long."
His eyes glowed gold, his lips curling up faintly. Grabbing my hand, he dragged me deeper into the woods.
"Where are we going?" I asked in surprise.
"Do you have a plan?" I kept questioning him. "Did my papa send some help?"
I waited for him to speak, but he didn't respond. And that's when I realized he hadn't spoken a word yet.
'Caught you.'
Those words replayed in my mind. I clearly heard it, or was I imagining things?
My thoughts paused when we reached a road. I blinked in confusion. I've never come across this path. Dim streetlights lined the muddy road, and a bike was parked near one.
My eyes lit up. "Is that yours?" I asked, as we reached the bike.
He nodded before taking out his jacket. Glancing at me, he passed it.
I blinked in confusion, my eyes trailing his gaze. The thin night gown barely covered me, exposing most of my skin. My cheeks burned as I realized I had walked around with him, almost naked.
Taking the jacket, I quickly put it on. "Thank you…" I murmured, clutching it tightly.
Grabbing the helmet from the bike, he passed it to me. I took it, my hands fumbling with the strap. Seeing me flustered, his lips crooked into a small smile. A genuine heart-stopping smile.
My heart fluttered against my chest, the sight too beautiful to bear. Our eyes met again, and I quickly looked away.
Moving closer, he helped me with the strap. Once done, he put on his helmet and climbed on the bike. I followed, trembling, my fingers clutching his shirt awkwardly.
I waited for him to start, but he didn't. Instead, he turned his head, glancing back at me.
I leaned closer in confusion and asked, "Is anything wrong?"
He didn't respond, instead-
Gasp.
He took my hands and wrapped them around his waist. His hands lingered on mine for a second, making sure I held him tightly. My stomach fluttered, my mind barely able to process this torture.
Roar.
The engine screamed to life as he twisted the throttle, before racing through the night. He sped through the forest, the road too adventurous for my fragile heart. Every bump, every skid made me cling to him even tighter.
I kept glancing at him. Was he cursed? Or was he something that existed long before the Moon Goddess ever blessed our kind? I couldn't help but wonder throughout the ride.
As we drove, his scent thickened, sandalwood and smoked vanilla, swallowed me whole. It made my knees tremble, not from biting night air, but from a terrifying, primal need.
It felt as though he had been sent specifically to ruin me, and God help me, I couldn't resist.
Eventually, after almost 30 minutes of tantalizing torture, we reached what seemed like the back gate of a sprawling estate. He stopped before a large building with a sign: Servant quarters.
I frowned, sliding off the bike. A cold dread settled in my gut. Were we in another pack's territory? Or something worse?
I turned to my savior, who was busy typing something on the phone. He then passed it to me.
"Cross the left corridor, and knock on the third room."
I read it aloud and nodded before passing back the phone. Silence stretched between us. I was reluctant to leave, and so was he.
"Please take care of my papa." I requested, my heart aching in concern. "Promise me you'll protect me."
He looked at me, his expression unreadable, before he gave a small, solemn nod.
"Thank you," I murmured, offering a small, sad smile.
"Oh," Taking out the helmet, I passed it to him. He took it, but our fingers brushed, sparks running through our bodies again.
Suddenly, he stepped closer to me. His eyes met mine; they were now calm but dangerous like the midnight. Gently, his fingers adjusted my bangs, brushing a stray leaf stuck in my hair.
The touch was too intimate, too possessive, that my body burned for more. I looked away, my cheeks burning under his gaze.
No, this was not good for both of us. Steeling my heart, I retracted back.
"Goodbye," I whispered, turning to escape the suffocating pull of his presence.
Gasp.
Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me back. My eyes widened as I collided with his chest, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. I looked up, ready to protest, but the words died in my throat.
'Mine.' A voice roared in my mind.
I stared at him in shock. His eyes were now molten gold, burning with desire that left me breathless. And before I could react, he leaned closer and captured my lips.