73. You better run away before it gets too late.

She ran through the forest, the cold breeze of the wind freezing her limbs. She kept looking over her shoulder, back in the direction from where she had run from. The woman felt like someone had been following her ever since she left the building. And she was right- a pair of yellow eyes followed her movements, creeping up on her from the woods.

"Is there anybody out there?" she yelled, questioning what seemed to be thin air. She stopped to look around, then was hit with a realization that she had managed to get lost.

"Great, now you're lost. Fucking loser," the woman hissed under her breath, clenching her fists tightly.

"Is there anybody out there?" A voice mimicked her. Her eyes kept searching for something out of place, somewhere someone could hide- nothing. She received multiple warnings before deciding to follow the stranger's demands and leave the territory.

"Listen, I'm trying to comply with you here, okay? I read the warnings, got them all in my bag, see? I'm leaving; just like you told me to- on the night of the full moon, I must leave the territory, right? For me, it looks like I'm doing what I was told. Don't hurt me, I'll be out in less than half an hour." At first, the woman tried to appear steady and domineering, yet after feeling those terrifying eyes on her again, she couldn't help stuttering in fear. Everyone knew how dangerous the forests around territories were. Leaving in the middle of the night was the most stupid decision she had ever made. The moon was changing, not only itself but also a lot of creatures out there.

"I was not the one to send those warnings. All I did was watch."

"Show yourself! Why are you hiding?" Surely, she knew he might do something to harm her. Despite her fear, the woman kept by-passing her instincts- pushing the mysterious person over the edge.

"Why not?" he chuckled. His voice now sounded from another direction. Whoever the person or creature was, he was faster than she expected. Running wouldn't get her out of this mess.

"Why are you watching me then, creep? Stop acting like a little sour pussy and show yourself. Come out big boy, show me what you got." The plan was simple. She would get close enough, then kick him right in the balls and run back. It might be the most stupid plan ever, but it might work.

"Hope you're awake for the nightmare then. No, don't get your tail between your legs just yet- please, stay for the show."
She heard him say as something really heaving landed from one of the trees. That's why she hadn’t seen who it was and where it was hiding. Clever fuckhead, indeed.

"I don't have a tail, stupid! Can't you see that I'm a human? Pretty sure you feel fucking proud of yourself now- creeping around over someone who wasn't your target in the first place. Run little creep, get the fuck out of my way. Find the bitch you were looking for." She turned around to leave in another direction. But before she could get away, the creature stood in front of her like a brick wall. It was hovering over her, yellow orbs digging right into her soul.

"I assure you; I got the bitch I needed. Us, we are never wrong," he grinned, tracing a razor-sharp nail over her neckline.

"Y-you will not harm me." She tried to back away from him, dropping her bag next to his feet. The plan faded in her fear; she couldn't make even decent sentences, let alone hit someone.

"No promises. I never said that I would not bring harm to you. Quite the opposite. I'm here to hurt you. Really, really, bad.” With each step she took backwards, he took one towards her. When her back collided with a tree, the man placed his hands next to her shoulders. He had trapped her between the tree and his body.

"So, little bird, what's your name?" He leaned into her neck, inhaling the woman's scent, each word he spoke laced in disgust.

"Why should I tell you my name? You're my stalker, aren't you? And I'm not a fucking bird, you psycho." She tried to get out of the trap- each attempt making him snarl at the woman.

This man wasn't a werewolf; she knew how their growls and snarls sounded, and this was not one of theirs. The man looked like a demon, his snarls reminding her of one.

"You do look like a helpless little bird to me. Trapped, caged by me. Don't you see?" The man smiled.

"Are you dreaming yet?" he asked, confusing the women more than anything he had done so far.

"I-I think I am. There's a black sunset in your eyes; I must be dreaming," the woman stuttered. As she parted her lips again- she started coughing violently. She grabbed her neck, trying to show him that she had difficulties breathing, but the man just smiled. He snapped his fingers, and the woman started coughing up blood.

"See, it was worth staying here and enjoying the show. I will make it go away, don't worry. All you have to do is tell me your name." He was enjoying the game more than he thought. She had a fire in her, but it was way too easy to put out. No dignity, a stubborn nature.

"F-Fuck you," she snapped, coughing up more blood.

"As you wish, Claudia," the stranger grinned, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. The cough disappeared as fast as it appeared, leaving her breathing heavily and blood-stained. The woman looked up at him, shocked. The problem was that Claudia didn't know what surprised her more- the blood, cough, or him knowing her name. What the Hell had she managed to get herself into?

"Is this bullshit some sick game because I bullied little Eve? Is that why you are here, huh? It was a fucking joke, innocent one at that. She wouldn't be harmed or hurt in any way. A joke, I say!" Claudia dropped on her knees, unable to force her body up again. She felt like someone had taken control over her muscles and was moving her around like a marionette. Claudia wanted to scream, but her lips wouldn't part despite the desperate attempts.

"We don't take it kindly when a low-life peasant addresses our Queen by her name. You hold no rights to address that woman by anything other than Your Highness," the man walked around Claudia in circles, she noticed he whispered something under his breath and Claudia could then part her lips. Was he playing with black magic? It didn’t matter- Claudia needed to think of a way to get out of there before she was buried six feet under the ground.

"Ah, so it is about her, I see. We were just playing, she has been my best friend for ages, and we used to prank each other time by time. She has been too busy to think of a prank, so I keep our traditions alive," Claudia lied. Whatever came from her mouth could be used against her, the woman had to make sure that she sounded innocent.

"Interesting, please, do tell me more. This tradition of pranks seems to be rather fun." The man sounded bored, but something in Claudia snapped. She rejoiced over an early victory, sure that he had believed her lies.

"We used to throw stuff at each other, push each other into the pool, and steal each other's clothes. Both of us were troubled kids, and that's how we had fun." She shrugged her shoulders, making sure to emphasize each "we."

"Lies."

"What? I'm not lying, you dumbass. Do you really think that I would dare to lie when some kind of mysterious bitch is keeping me captive?" Claudia wouldn't drop her hostile behaviour, hoping it would justify her attitude.

"I've been watching you, Miss Claudia," the stranger's lips brushed her earlobe and her body froze. How did he get behind her if he was just in front?

"Yeah, you told me that one, freak, stupid creepy stalker. Let go of me!" When she tried to get back on her feet, Claudia realised there was no way out. Only the man had the power to let her go.

"I'm serious. Do you think that I would watch over you for a week? For a month, maybe? Oh, dear, no. We have been observing for years, following each step you take. You are a sly fox, I must admit. At times we were shocked at how cruel and foolish you were. Such a potential, yet so poor a performance. Pity," the man visibly mocked her, making fun out of the helpless woman.

"What do you want?" Claudia growled, her patience running low.

"Not sure. First, I will list your crimes, then we shall decide what your punishment is going to be. Or, if I'm irritated by your behaviour from now on, I might just kill you. Who knows." He stood in front of her, taking in her trembling form. Claudia shook her head, unable to push out a word. Her lips, once again felt like they were glued together. No matter what he had on his mind- the man wouldn't give her the satisfaction of defending herself. He was, clearly, enjoying her terrified state. Her fear made him feel good, probably better than Claudia knew.

"There's no use to try and speak- you shall, but only when I allow you to. If I feel that a single hint of bullshit is about to leave your lips- I won't hesitate to slit your throat. Oh, the joys of watching someone's life ending by the victim choking on their own blood. I bet your heart must be delicious. We know that most ravishing ones are the ones who are truly evil." He snapped his fingers and Claudia's body twisted into a weird posture, sending waves of pain all through her.

"When you talk about those pranks of the past, I can't help but to feel sorry for the torture our Queen had to go through by the hand of someone she thought to be her friend. Remember how she almost drowned when you pushed her into that pool? I remember her pleads; I remember how desperately she begged for you to stop. She didn't know how to swim, but that didn't stop you either. You see, fate has a rather odd habit of letting us know who is to become someone important. So, we watch and protect when needed. Who do you think was the one who got her out? The rogues, who trapped her in that alley, remember that? I do. We were the ones to assure that the King would get there on time. Remember Luna, leading our Queen to the bleeders' territory? We do, we remember how you came up with that idea together. We know, see, and feel everything, little bird," the man let out a deep, frustrated sigh.

"You're a view to see, that's for sure. I wish I wouldn't need to kill you," the man whispered.

"Then don't, don't kill me- you don't have to," Claudia stuttered. The man laughed.

"Calm down, I'm joking. There is no such wish in me; I've been starving for a while now. A heart is what I crave right now." As the words left his lips, Claudia's body dropped on the cold forest soil. The man took her as a predator would do with their prey.

"You better run away before it gets too late," he grinned, nodding towards a direction. Claudia had no idea what was there, whose territory she might enter, but the woman didn't care anymore. She jumped to her feet and bolted away from him, pushing her body to move despite how exhausted she felt.

"Let the game begin!" she heard the voice boom through the trees. His words were laced in so much hate, she cried out for help.

The Unwanted Alpha Series (Complete Collection)
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