The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the dark forest. Jerome pulled her jacket tighter around her body, cursing her decision to take the shortcut through the woods. Every sound seemed amplified, from the rustling leaves to the distant hoot of an owl. But it was the unnerving feeling of being watched that sent chills down her spine.
Something was wrong.
She quickened her pace, her heart beating faster as the unease settled in. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was following her. She glanced over her shoulder, but all she could see was darkness.
Then, she heard it. A low growl, deep and menacing, from somewhere behind her. Jerome froze, fear gripping her heart as she slowly turned around. Emerging from the shadows was a massive wolf, its white fur glowing in the moonlight. Its silver eyes locked onto her, full of intelligence and something much darker.
Jerome's breath hitched. Wolves didn't come this close to human territory—especially not ones like this. She took a cautious step back, trying to calculate her next move. But before she could react, the wolf began to change. Its body shifted, bones cracking and reforming until, standing in its place, was a man.
Tall, muscular, and commanding, he stepped forward with an effortless grace. His silver eyes never left hers, and Jerome felt the weight of his presence pressing down on her, both terrifying and… alluring.
"Who… who are you?" Jerome stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man smiled, slow and dangerous. "You've entered my territory," he said, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver through her. "That was your first mistake."
Jerome's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "I didn't mean to," she replied, her voice trembling.
The man's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "That doesn't matter," he said, taking a step closer. His eyes darkened, and Jerome could feel the raw power radiating off him. "You've crossed into my world, and now, there's no turning back."
Jerome took a step back, panic rising in her chest. "What do you mean?"
He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, moving so fast she barely had time to react. His hand came up to cup her chin, his touch sending an electric jolt through her body. Jerome flinched but didn't pull away, too stunned by the intensity of his presence.
"You belong to me now," he murmured, his silver eyes boring into hers. "From the moment you stepped into my territory, you became mine."
Jerome's heart raced as she tried to make sense of his words. "I'm not yours," she said, her voice shaky.
The man chuckled softly, the sound dark and predatory. "Oh, but you are," he replied, his hand sliding down to brush against her cheek. "And soon, you'll understand what that means."
Jerome's pulse quickened. His touch was gentle, but there was something dangerous beneath the surface. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, holding her in place.
"You're mine, Jerome," he repeated, his voice filled with certainty. "Whether you like it or not."
To be continued...