Maia woke with a start, her head flashing with glimpses of what had transpired. She took a look around, taking in the location.
It seemed she was back in the woods, isolated and tied to a chair in a clearing. Nobody seemed to be in sight.
"I have to escape somehow", she thought to herself.
She took another quick look around, planning her escape, and it was then she saw him, lurking silently in the shadows of the woods
Maia had been warned countless times of the Alpha wolf. And seeing him up close for the second time, she was just as appalled by his presence.
Standing at 6'5", his physique was a testament to his prowess, every sinew and muscle rippling beneath taut, white skin. Broad shoulders, carved like granite, tapered down to a lean, muscular torso, the result of years spent navigating the rugged terrain of the forest with the ease of a seasoned predator.
He had smooth silver hair, which was the only thing that didn't seem rough about him. In short, he was strikingly handsome.
His blue and brown eyes glared daggers at Maia, and she could only wonder how she hadn't noticed him there at first. Much to her fear, he stalked towards her with a deadly glint in his eye, fangs bared in a show of strength and threat.
"YOU!", he barked.
"I told you I wouldn't forget what you and your clan did to my kin."
Maia's heart sank. "Just let me go please, what happened yesterday wasn't my fault". She pleaded.
"Oh, but it was you who distracted me and cost me a broken rib, Let us see how well you do when your clan isn't here to protect you."
"What do you plan to do with me?", Maia enquired with fear in her heart.
"Oh, so many things. I could torture you just like your clan did to my kin, but something tells me you're different. Maybe I'll begin by asking you why you're clan is hellbent on wiping out my family?"
Maia kept silent, she had been told all her life that it was for the safety of humanity, but something about getting asked on the spot got her seriously confused.
She didn't respond.
"What are you doing questioning our prisoner Kai?", Maia's blood pressure rose as a shorter, similarly feral lady with a domineering grace and elegance strolled in.
"She is here as a hostage, not a guest at an interview." She said as she walked into the clearing.
With a start, Maia realised that this was the lady who kidnapped her. Something about her really tipped Maia off.
"Know your place Celine." Kai snapped back. "Know that you are not yet Luna, and shall have no say in such matters."
Suddenly, Celine's demeanour changed from stoic and serious to sympathetic and humble.
"Oh sorry Kai, I never meant it that way. All I just ask is that you remember what this girl's clan did to our poor little cub." She said apologetically as she crossed both arms over Kai's shoulder in a seductive manner.
"I understand Celine, but please trust that I can handle this."
"Of course Kai, I trust you always." With a pout and a grin, she walked out of the clearing and into the woods. From where Maia sat trapped in the chair, she could swear that she glimpsed Celine stop for a brief moment to giver her a death stare, before slipping back into the woods.
Without hesitation, Kai turned back to Maia, anger burning in his eyes.
"Why do you keep silent? Do you consider this feud, this war going on between us so trivial?"
"No it's not that, I just don't know why we even fight. My father always claimed you were the vicious killer machines, and that we had to do whatever it takes to stop your rampage." Maia said with a weeping voice.
Kai backed off with that. "Sorry, I didn't mean to shout. It's just, what your clan did yesterday caused a serious outrage among us, and it really got to me as a leader. You wouldn't understand."
Maia thought for a brief moment. Kai was just your regular leader trying to shoulder the responsibilities and emotions of his people. In many ways, he was like her.
"I kind of do actually. After I failed to kill the cub yesterday…"
Kai winced at that.
"Sorry did I startle you?"
"It's nothing, just go on with your story"
Maia knew there was something, but she decided to go on anyway.
"After I failed to kill the cub yesterday, I could literally feel the disappointment of my people bearing down on me like a heavy burden. As much as I knew I couldn't do it, it pained me to see how much I had let my people down."
Kai pondered her words. "I suppose I didn't see it that way for you. Even though my mind was clouded by anger at the moment, what you did yesterday was admirable of a wolf hunter. Thank you, Maia."
"You're welcome, Kai." Maia said as she flashed a smile. In the dimness of the setting sun, she could almost see Kai blush.
"I suppose I have to clear some - ah - misconceptions taught to you about our tribe." Kai spoke as he circled closer to Maia.
"You see, we consider all life sacred. We are protectors, not killers. We only get deadly when one of our own is in danger, as you saw yesterday."
Maia thought back to the horrors she experienced the previous night. It was something she did not want to think about.
"There was so much blood. It was horrendous.", she stated. Her voice tinged with remorse and concern.
Kai looked at her, and instantly knew what she was referring to.
"Sorry if I spooked you with the killings yesterday. Surely you should understand that it had to be done".
"No it didn't. You gruesomely killed people from my clan. That cannot be justified." Maia retorted.
With that, Kai's mood changed. He stormed towards her until he was level with her face, fury burning within his fiercely alluring eyes.
"How dare you? You act like wolves from my pack weren't killed as well. Can you be so blind as to your clan's hypocrisy?"
Maia flinched, scared by the sudden uproar that ensued before her. Kai noticed, and instantly recollected himself.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's just, my emotions really get out of control over sensitive matters." Kai apologised.
Maia looked in his eyes, his lips mere inches from hers. This close, his pull on her was irrevocable, sparking a longing deep within her that she never knew existed.
Kai seemed to be battling something similar as well, his eyes depicting a conflict of resolve and emotion.
Suddenly, Maia was not able to resist anymore. She bridged the gap, meeting her lips with his in a flurry of pleasure and excitement.
Kai seemed to be shocked at first by the gesture, withdrawing a bit before attacking her lips with a fervour unrivalled by any man.
He took charge, nibbling and tugging at her lower lip with his fangs. This elicited a breath from Maia, her nerves melting away from pleasures unknown as things began to get heated.
While using his tongue to explore her mouth, his hands roamed her body, leaving sensuous desires in every part he touched. Maia let out a stifled moan, and it seemed Kai was nowhere near done.
He began to kiss down her neck, nibbling at every patch of skin with his sharp fangs. Not enough to cause her pain, but enough to give her pleasure. His large hands cupped her breasts, roaming every inch of her curve before pausing momentarily to flick and pinch at her nipples.
Maia was losing it, as well as losing herself. She was so lost, in fact, that she didn't realise the Celine from earlier.
Lurking, stalking.
WATCHING...