The forest blurred around her as she moved faster than any human could.
Wind rushed past her ears. Branches whipped against her arms as she pushed deeper into the trees.
Golden light flickered faintly around her feet.
Fairy magic.
She was using just enough to move faster—but not enough to expose herself completely.
Her heart pounded violently.
He's coming.
She could feel it.
Even before she heard the sound.
The hunt had already begun.
Behind her
Something massive crashed through the forest.
Trees trembled.
Leaves scattered.
The sound of powerful paws hitting the earth echoed through the night.
Kael.
But not the man.
The wolf.
The Alpha's wolf form was enormous—larger than any ordinary wolf.
Black fur.
Glowing gold eyes.
A predator born to hunt.
And right now…
He was hunting her.
Kael's senses burned with intensity.
Every smell.
Every sound.
Every heartbeat inside the forest.
But one scent dominated everything.
Liora.
Even though she tried to hide it with magic, the mate bond had already begun to awaken.
Her scent slipped through the cracks of her spell.
Soft.
Sweet.
Wild.
His wolf growled with satisfaction.
Found you.
He accelerated.
Paws pounding the earth like thunder.
Lia leapt over a fallen log, landing lightly before sprinting again.
Her lungs burned.
He's faster.
Of course he was.
Werewolves were built for the hunt.
And Kael was an Alpha.
One of the strongest predators in the supernatural world.
She needed to slow him down.
Quickly.
Lia raised her hand as she ran.
"…Roots."
Magic rippled into the earth.
Vines burst from the ground behind her.
Thick roots twisted across the forest floor.
A trap.
But Kael didn't stop.
The massive wolf slammed straight through the vines.
They snapped instantly.
His speed barely slowed.
His eyes glowed brighter.
Mine.
The word echoed in his mind like a command.
Lia's heart dropped.
He broke it that easily?
She pushed herself harder.
Branches whipped past her face.
The forest grew darker the deeper she ran.
But suddenly
She stopped.
A cliff.
The forest ended abruptly at the edge of a rocky drop.
The river below roared violently against the stones.
Lia turned around quickly.
The forest behind her had gone quiet.
Too quiet.
Her breathing echoed loudly in her ears.
Then
A low growl rolled through the darkness.
Deep.
Terrifying.
Predatory.
Two glowing golden eyes appeared between the trees.
Kael stepped forward slowly.
Still in his massive wolf form.
Moonlight spilled across his fur, making him look almost mythical.
Ancient.
Dangerous.
Unstoppable.
Lia swallowed.
"You're enjoying this," she said softly.
The wolf tilted his head slightly.
Then his body began to shift.
Bones cracked.
Fur receded.
Muscles twisted and reformed.
Within seconds
Kael stood in front of her again.
Tall.
Barefoot.
Breathing slowly.
His golden eyes locked onto hers.
"You run fast."
Lia crossed her arms defensively.
"You chase well."
He took a step closer.
"You knew I would."
"Yes."
"Then why run?"
She looked away briefly.
"Because if you catch me… everything becomes harder."
Kael stopped a few feet away from her.
The distance between them felt electric.
"You're right."
His voice dropped.
"Because I did catch you."
Lia tried to step back.
But the cliff edge was right behind her.
Kael noticed.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Nowhere to go."
Her pulse raced.
"You planned this."
"No."
He took another step forward.
"But I'm not complaining."
The wind blew through the trees around them.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then suddenly
Lia felt it.
A strange warmth spreading through her chest.
Her magic stirred.
Unstable.
The mate bond was reacting.
Kael felt it too.
His breathing slowed.
His pupils expanded slightly.
The pull between them grew stronger.
Like invisible threads connecting their hearts.
"…You feel it too," he murmured.
Lia shook her head.
"No."
"Liar."
He stepped closer.
Now only inches separated them.
"You can hide your scent."
His voice was soft.
"But you can't hide this."
His hand lifted slowly.
Before she could move
He placed it gently against her cheek.
The moment their skin touched
Energy exploded between them.
Golden light flared around Lia.
Kael inhaled sharply.
Her scent flooded his senses completely now.
Wildflowers.
Moonlight.
Magic.
His wolf roared in triumph.
Mate.
Lia gasped softly.
The bond snapped into place like a chain tightening around her heart.
She could feel him.
His emotions.
His instincts.
His possessiveness.
It terrified her.
"Kael"
But he pulled her closer.
One arm wrapped around her waist firmly.
Not hurting.
But impossible to escape.
His voice dropped into something darker.
Something primal.
"There you are."
Her breath trembled.
"You shouldn't have chased me."
"You shouldn't have run."
Their faces were dangerously close now.
Kael studied her like someone rediscovering a lost treasure.
"You hid for years."
His thumb brushed lightly across her cheek.
"Did you really think I would let you go again?"
Her voice barely came out.
"…You might have to."
His expression changed instantly.
The warmth disappeared.
Replaced by something fierce.
Possessive.
"I won't."
"Kael"
"I searched for you once."
His grip tightened slightly around her waist.
"I'm not doing it again."
The wind howled across the cliff.
Below them, the river crashed violently against the rocks.
But neither of them moved.
Because something had changed.
The mate bond had awakened.
And Kael's obsession had just begun.