Chapter Five: The First Battle
The rogue loomed large, its hunched figure casting a jagged shadow under the moonlight. Red eyes glared at Damien with a fierce hatred, and its growl resonated in Ava's chest, making her stomach twist.
Damien moved with deadly precision, positioning himself between Ava and the creature. He exuded authority, his posture both predatory and commanding. Even without shifting, it was evident he was no ordinary man.
"Back off," he growled, his voice deep and menacing.
The rogue ignored him. It lunged forward with alarming speed, claws slicing through the air.
Ava gasped, instinctively retreating, but Damien was quicker. He evaded the strike, spinning around to deliver a powerful kick that sent the rogue reeling. It howled in fury, shaking off the blow as if it were nothing.
Ava's hands shook as she watched, caught between admiration and fear. She didn't know much about werewolf fights, but it was obvious that Damien was not just strong—he was skilled.
"Get inside!" Damien shouted without glancing at her.
"No!" Ava retorted, determined not to leave him alone.
Another growl echoed through the clearing, and Ava's heart sank as a second rogue stepped out from the shadows. This one was smaller but just as threatening, its sleek body creeping closer.
"They're teaming up," Damien muttered quietly. His hands flexed at his sides, muscles coiled tight. "That's a first."
"What should we do?" Ava whispered, her voice barely rising above the thundering of her heart.
"You don't do anything," Damien snapped. "Just keep out of the way."
The larger rogue charged once more, and Damien met it head-on. The clash was fierce, a whirlwind of claws and fists. Ava couldn't tear her gaze away, even as fear gripped her chest.
The smaller rogue circled around, its glowing eyes locked onto Ava.
She instinctively stepped back, her pulse racing in her ears. "Damien…"
"I see it!" he growled, struggling with the larger rogue.
The smaller one lunged, and Ava barely had time to react. She rolled to the side, hitting the ground hard as the rogue's claws narrowly missed her. Pain shot through her arm from the impact, but adrenaline pushed her to keep moving.
The rogue snarled, turning to face her once more. Its teeth glinted menacingly, and Ava felt a chilling certainty wash over her—it was going to kill her.
Before it could lunge, Damien appeared out of nowhere, crashing into the creature with enough force to send it skidding across the clearing. He positioned himself protectively over Ava, his chest heaving and his eyes ablaze.
"I told you to stay back," he growled, his voice rough.
"I'm not great at following orders," Ava retorted, scrambling to her feet.
He didn't have time to argue. The larger rogue had regained its footing and was charging toward them. Damien's gaze darted between the two beasts, his jaw tightening.
"Ava," he said, his tone brooking no dissent, "run. Now."
"No!" she protested.
He turned to her, his expression fierce. "I can't protect you if you're here! Please, go!"
The urgency in his voice made her hesitate. She hated the thought of leaving him, but he was right—she would only be a burden.
Reluctantly, she nodded and bolted toward the cabin, her legs trembling as she sprinted across the clearing.
Behind her, the sounds of battle erupted again—growls, snarls, and the sickening crunch of impact. She glanced back once, her heart racing at the sight of Damien wrestling with both rogues simultaneously.
Inside the cabin, she slammed the door shut and grabbed the first thing she could find—a heavy iron poker from the fireplace. She wasn't going to sit idly by and hope for the best. If those creatures came for her, she would fight back.
Minutes felt like hours as she waited, every noise outside making her flinch. The growls and snarls fluctuated in intensity, sometimes growing louder, then fading away, only to return again. She couldn't tell who was winning, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.
Finally, the door burst open, and Damien stumbled in.
His shirt was torn, and blood dripped from a gash on his arm, but he was alive. His golden eyes locked onto hers, and relief washed over his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice rough.
Ava nodded, rushing to his side. "What about you? You're hurt—"
"I've had worse," he replied, brushing off her concern.
"What happened to the rogues?"
"They're gone," he said grimly. "For now."
Ava swallowed hard, her mind racing. "What do you mean, 'for now'? Will they come back?"
Damien hesitated, then nodded. "They will. And more will come. Rogues don't act like this unless they're being controlled."
"Controlled? By who?"
"That's what I need to find out," he said, his expression darkening. "But one thing's clear—they know I'm here. And now, they know about you."
Ava's stomach twisted. "What does that mean?"
"It means you're not safe anymore," Damien said, his voice thick with guilt.
The weight of his words hung in the air, but Ava refused to let fear consume her.
"Then teach me," she replied, her voice unwavering.
Damien frowned. "Teach you what?"
"How to fight. How to defend myself."
"Ava, this isn't your fight—"
"It is now," she cut in, her eyes burning with resolve. "You said I'm not safe anymore. Fine. I'll learn how to survive."
Damien looked at her, a blend of frustration and admiration crossing his features.
"Stubborn as ever," he muttered.
"You'll thank me later," she shot back.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Alright. But if you're going to fight, you'd better be prepar
ed for the consequences."
Ava tightened her grip on the iron poker, holding his gaze. "I already am."