Chapter Four

The sound of rushing water was the first thing I hear before I opened my eyes. From my point of view, all I could see was mud and beyond it were tall trees cloaked in darkness. I groaned as pain lanced through my head. Squeezing my eyes shut, I turned, facing up which caused the pain to travel down my arms and sides.

Eventually, the pains became bearable and I was able to gather my wits. The first thing I noticed was that I was lying on the bank of a flowing river. As I wracked my brain as to how I got here, memories of Emilia’s lover throwing me off a cliff came to me in a such a rush, pumping so much adrenaline in my veins that I got up in one swift movement.

My eyes became wide, searching my surroundings in case Emilia or her lover was around but I saw nothing but tall trees and darkness. Another pain sliced through my head and I cry out, gripping it. I wasn’t familiar with any of my surroundings which must mean the river I fell into brought me to another place.

In the distance I could hear the faint sound of drums and music, as if there was a party going on which means only one thing. There are people close by. Eagerly, I trudged out of the mud, ignoring the pain and headed towards the sound.

Soon, I was deep in the forest, surrounded by trees so high, I had to crane my neck up to see their ends. I had never seen trees that tall before. The more I walked these woods, the more I became uncomfortable. The darkness seemed to be alive, watching my every step. I heard movement to my left and my head jerks so fast, I could have sworn I heard a crack.

“Hello?” I said with a trembling voice. “Is anyone there?”

Silence.

I licked my lips and tried again. If the residents of this land are watching me, I need to let them know, I’m not a threat.

“My name is Zora.” I paused, unsure of how to continue. “I came here by accident. I fell from a cliff.” I stuttered. “…and the river brought me here.” I paused again for any sign of movement but nothing happened. Yet, I could feel eyes watching me. I turned around but I couldn’t see anyone or smell anyone.

“Please, if you can help me, I think I’m hurt.” I scanned the woods with my wolf vision and listened for any sign but again, I got none.

Since, I stepped into the woods, the music had grown louder and when I waited a bit more for a sign and I didn’t get it, I decided to move forward.

The moment I took a step forward, I heard a snap. This made me go deathly still. Without moving my head, I scanned my surroundings again, suddenly feeling fear like I have never felt before claw up my skin.

“Who’s there?” I whispered.

What happened next was something I never expected.

A low guttural growl answered me and my body began to vibrate of its own accord. I could tell that whatever was in these woods with me was powerful and deadly and sounded like it was directly above me. Slowly, I raised my head to look up where the sound came from. In my head, I sent a silent prayer and hoped I would make it out of here alive.

My eyes met two glowing red ones staring down at me from the top of a tree and I couldn’t help the scream that tore out my throat. In an instant, I was running at full speed through the forest, blindly going where my legs could tread. I dared not look back as I felt the roar of an animal reverberate through the forest and within my bones. I felt it jump to the ground, pounding after me.

“Help!” I cried, hoping the people at the party in the distance could hear me. “Someone help me!”

The animal roared in response and I risked a look back to see if it was close. This caused me to lose my balance and before I knew it, I was falling to the ground. The impact caused unimaginable pain to grip my body making me cry out in tears.

My agony was cut short as I saw red eyes approach me. It had the hind legs of a wolf but it stood upright like a man. With a paralyzing fear, I realized I was in the presence of a lycan. This creature had the aura of death, power, desire and control about it. When it reached me, I froze and for a moment, as it stared down at me, I wondered if this is where I die.

I wondered if Hailey will sense that something was wrong and come looking for me in the woods. I wondered if she’ll ever know what happened to me. Will anyone find my body or will this creature eat me?

It cocked its head as if it was thinking. Then suddenly, it lowers its head so that his snout was in my face. It let out a low growl but this time it was less menacing. I maintained my composure and watched as it bent at the slightest, sniffing my neck, all the way to my chest, to my stomach, till it sniffed all the way down my legs.

Suddenly, it raised its head up and howled to the sky eliciting several howls all around the forest.

Oh heck no! If there is more of it, I have to get out of here. Visions of me being torn apart came to my head and I had no idea when my claws came out and swiped at the exposed belly of the beast.

It whined and I used that opportunity to crawl out from under him. The moment I got to my feet and tried to run, a sharp pain lanced through my foot and I was falling back to the ground again.

Apparently, I had sprained my foot and now I was facing a monster who seemed to be really pissed at me. I closed my eyes, expecting the pain to come, instead I felt a hand close around my good ankle. I opened my eyes to see the beast drawing me back across the ground towards him and then, the most extraordinary thing happened.

Right before my eyes, the lycan changed and transformed into the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Fur gave way to hair as black as night, and his snout reduced into high cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. This man had a face and body that seemed to have been carved to perfection by the Goddess herself and as the moonlight shone on him all I could see were his glowing red eyes pinned on me.

Slowly, he stretched his right hand toward me . “Drink.” He said in a voice that wasn’t completely human.

I looked at his hand and at him in confusion. “Drink what?” I said.

His eyes strolled to my right hand and he lifted it slowly. Staring at it as if it was a piece of art. Higher and higher, he raised my hand and before I knew it, his elongated teeth was sinking into my palm and drawing blood.

I screamed in pain and tried to get him away from my hand as he lapped hungrily at it.

“Drink!” He ordered me again in that voice, nudging his hand toward me and I understood what he meant. He wanted me to bite him too. Maybe it was the fact that I was in unfathomable pain. Maybe, it was because I was so afraid of what this man might do to me, but I did as he said. I positioned my own elongated teeth on his palm and I bit down hard.

He twitched and I could have sworn I saw a ghost of a smile.

The moment I tasted his blood, I couldn’t get enough of it. It tasted like sunshine and warmth. It tasted like power and darkness. It tasted like storms. By the time I was done, every single wound in my body was completely and thoroughly healed. His glowing eyes never left mine and when we stopped, he asked my name and I told him. Then he went ahead and uttered words that rocked my entire being and left me absolutely dumbfounded.

“I, Nox Rider, King of lycans and ruler of werewolves choose you Zora Sparks to be my mate and queen.” He said and then smirked so dangerously. “You’re mine now.”