Suddenly, she felt a voice from behind her and quickly directed her gaze to it but the forest was dark and the moon only gave it light enough for her to walk. Telling herself it was just paranoia, she took a deep breath and shook her head. No one saw her escape… except that criminal but there was no way they would find her so quickly.
As she took a step to continue her journey, a figure materialized before her, out of nowhere.
Startled, she stumbled backward, hitting the ground with a painful thud. Groaning, she clutched her aching backside before looking up only for her expression to twist in disgust.
"Are you lost, human?" The man before her sneered.
Lilith narrowed her eyes, she hated the fact that the Lycans could quickly detect she wasn't one of them. There were times she hated being human and wished she was a Lycan, but not all wishes came true. Which was why she trained herself to be able to defend herself though they were minor skills, and could only do much to protect her. She had encountered his kind before, predators who preyed on humans, stripping them of their dignity for fun. Unfortunately for him, she was the wrong prey.
"Get out of my way if you don't want to regret it," she warned, rising to her feet, her glare sharp as a blade.
The man let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, human, I am terrified! Forgive me for blocking your path," he jeered, mimicking her voice in a way that made her blood boil.
That was it.
Without hesitation, she lunged, slamming him to the ground. His arrogant smirk vanished, replaced by a stunned expression as he scrambled back to his feet, his gaze darkening.
"Come at me, you bastard!" She challenged.
They clashed, but despite her skill, he had the upper hand. He was stronger, faster, a true Lycan warrior. Compared to her, a weak human with weak bones and senses, her chances were very low but she wasn't going to give in.
Desperation took hold, and her gaze flickered to the dagger strapped to his side. Seizing her chance, she snatched it and drove the blade into his chest.
The Lycan roared in pain, staggering backward before ripping the weapon from his flesh. His blue eyes burned with rage as he snarled, "You witch! I will skin you alive!"
Then, without warning, he lunged.
Lilith fought, but he overpowered her, pinning her beneath him. His weight pressed her into the earth as he waved the dagger in her face, his grin twisted with sadistic amusement.
Panic clawed at her. She had to think, had to find a way out.
"You wouldn't dare," she spat, grasping at the only advantage she had. "Alpha Zayd will kill you if you touch me!"
The Lycan stilled for half a second, before laughing coldly. Instead of backing down, he slammed the dagger into her thigh.
A piercing scream tore from Lilith's throat, the searing pain shooting through her body like fire.
"Ahh!" She cried, her vision blurring as agony overtook her.
"Please," she gasped, her voice trembling.
Then, in a blink, the pressure on her leg vanished.
A deafening cry ripped through the air as the Lycan's hand, still gripping the dagger was severed from his body.
Bewildered, Lilith's eyes widened as she watched blood gush out in torrents, her heart pounding wildly.
"Alpha… Zayd?!" The wounded man gasped, his gaze lifting to something above her.
Before Lilith could react, his other hand was severed as well, another agonized scream ripping through the air.
"Ahhh!!"
Lilith flinched, the piercing cry ringing in her ears. She had only used Zayd's name to threaten the man, who would have thought he would actually appear? But now, she was doomed. He would torment her for days for attempting to escape, and she could only pray to the Moon Goddess that she survived it.
With a trembling breath, she shoved the injured man off her and scrambled backward, widening the distance between herself and them both.
Her gaze landed on Zayd, and she swallowed hard. He was furious, his golden eyes burning brighter than usual, a sure sign he was on the verge of killing. And once he started, he wouldn't stop until he was satisfied.
Crouching to the man's level, Zayd leaned in and whispered something into his ear. Whatever it was, it made the man's eyes go wide with terror.
Then, without hesitation, Zayd plunged his hand through the man's skull.
Lilith's breath hitched.
She could only watch in horror as Zayd severed the head completely, lifting it in his hand as if it weighed nothing.
A shudder ran through her as she instinctively began crawling backward. If there was anything worse than the devil, it was the man before her. How could he do something so monstrous with such an eerily blank expression?
Sensing her fear, Zayd turned to face her.
She gasped, raising a trembling hand. "Stay away from me!" She commanded, her voice shaking.
His lips curled into a smirk as he dropped the severed head. "You see… I hate when slaves don't listen."
He tilted his head back slightly, inhaling deeply, as if savoring the moment. Then, with measured steps, he advanced toward her, his golden gaze locking onto hers.
Lilith's heartbeat thundered in her chest. Desperately, she tried to stand, but as soon as she moved, searing pain shot through her leg, reminding her of the dagger still embedded in her thigh.
"I don't want to be your slave! Let me go! There are plenty of virgins out there, why me?!" She cried out, her frustration and fear boiling over.
Zayd's smirk deepened. "It has to be you," he said smoothly. "Because you don't want to submit. The thrill of breaking you is far greater than having you surrender willingly."
Lilith's stomach twisted. How could someone be so twisted? So utterly cruel?
"You enjoy inflicting pain on others?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He let out a low chuckle. "Yes." And her blood ran cold.
Zayd quickened his pace, and Lilith instinctively scrambled back only to hit the rough bark of a tree behind her. She was trapped!
Before she could react, Zayd was crouching before her, his golden eyes glinting with wicked anticipation.
"I am going to punish you for allowing another man to touch what's mine," he murmured, his voice laced with dark pleasure.
Lilith's breath caught in her throat, terror gripping her. What fresh nightmare awaited her now?
"You do not own me! Why can't other men touch me?" She spat, trying to sound bold despite the turmoil within her.
"Oh, Matutu, you became mine the moment you laid eyes on me," he murmured in a deep, velvety tone.
A shiver ran down Lilith's spine, her body reacting in a way she couldn't explain. Without warning, he wrenched the dagger from her thigh.
A piercing scream tore from her lips. "Ahhh!"