Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
When the thick trunk of a tree stopped me from retreating, I wanted to scream, to fight back. But I was terrified, unable to move, this cold dread washing over me.
When it was a few feet from me it stopped, the shadows of nightfall shrouding too much of this beast. I could make out its massive body and inhuman head. I could see a longer face and a snout, sharp teeth, and fur covering its entire body.
And then the thing slowly rose to stand on two hind legs, its calves angled like a wolf’s so they looked bent.
It came closer, the ground vibrating from how powerful its steps were. The thing had to be at least seven feet tall, completely covered in fur, with bulging, massive arms, hands that were more like paws and tipped with black claws. It had a thick, furry tail that was moving back and forth, reminiscent of a predator about to pounce.
God… the thing was naked and aroused, and what hung between its legs was massive.
“No,” I whispered and shook my head, holding my hands out like that would actually ward it off.
I trailed my gaze up its barreled chest and to its wolf-like face.
Holy shit.
Although it looked like a wolf—werewolf, my mind whispered—it held very clear intelligence behind its dark eyes as it watched me.
“Oh God. Please. Please don’t hurt me.” My voice was whisper-thin. I wasn’t even sure I’d spoken the words aloud. “W-what are you?” It was so close now that all I smelled was this wild scent that clung to it.
Here was this primitive creature crowding me, breathing on me… refusing to give me space. It was going to eat me. I was sure of it. Why else would it be here? What other purpose would it have for me?
“I’m the one that is going to make you mine.”
I shook my head and lashed out, raking my nails along his chest, feeling hard, defined muscle underneath. He was fast as he snapped his paw out and curled it around my wrist, my palm and fingers so tiny compared to his.
I felt my survival instinct rise as I screamed and kick out, but I was like an annoying gnat compared to him, I was sure.
And when he let go of my wrist to grab my ankle, stopping my foot from connecting with the huge thing he had between his legs, I screamed again. But this time it was in fear. Bone-chilling fear.
He stood and started dragging me away like I was a damn sack of potatoes.
I twisted my body, clawing at the ground, dirt digging underneath my nails. Tears made my vision blurry, and then the world turned as he lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder.
For a second, the wind left me in a rush when my stomach connected with his shoulder. I lay there, flopping around from his movements.
He picked up speed, forcing me to grip the long, dark fur that covered him and hold on. I sobbed uncontrollably.
“Don’t worry, female. I’ll have you crying for a far different reason soon enough.”
Chapter
Eight
Marcella
When consciousness slowly came back to me, I instantly realized I wasn’t alone. I didn’t open my eyes, just continued to act asleep because everything came rushing back, letting me relive a nightmare.
Being in the woods. Feeling as if I weren’t alone. Then being chased by that—that—thing.
I repressed my shiver of fear as the image of the creature slammed into my mind. It was a literal monster, and the only thing I could think about was that it only wanted me for a meal.
How I wished what had been chasing me had been a bear, because that was less frightening than whatever creature had taken me.
I could hear it close by, and the very ground beneath me vibrated slightly every time it took a step. I tried to note my surroundings while I laid absolutely still. The last thing I wanted was for this beast to know I was awake.
Whatever I was on was soft, but I could feel things scratching at my skin. The blanket—I assumed that’s what it was—that covered me, smelled funny and was heavy and warm, feeling almost like velvet against my skin.
I realized, although still clothed, I was no longer wearing my boots or my jacket.
The heavy shuffling sound became louder… closer, and involuntarily I tensed. I tried like hell to feign sleep, but there was no getting around how absolutely terrified I was, and how that showed outwardly.
And then came the huffing. Puffing. It felt like hot air was moving along my arm.
The monster inhaled deeply as it dragged that inhuman furry snout along my limb and up to my throat.
I clenched my eyes tightly and couldn’t hold in the whimper that left me when I felt the warm, wet feel of what I assumed was its tongue licking at my neck.