Capture

LAKE

Twigs, briars, and leaves are all sticking to me as I run through the thick forest. I’ve tried changing direction, darting right and left—anything to shake the rogue chasing me. Nothing is working.

Lynne is thrilled by this chase. It’s been forever since she’s had a good challenge. Years even.

The last time we were able to run this fast was when Landon challenged my wolf to a game of tag when I was eleven.

My feet slump down into the muddy bank of a river as I try to catch my breath. My reflection in the water shows my red cheeks as I huff loudly.

I hear the bushes on the upper bank rustle. I roll my eyes and growl loudly. I’m bent over with my hands on my knees.

I know I can’t run or evade anything thrown at me with my current physical exhaustion. Nor can my body handle a shift. It’d do more damage than good.

“I’ve never had such an exciting hunt, female,” the rogue chasing me sits unbothered on a large boulder sticking out from the river. “You just might be the one I’ve been looking for.”

The rogue’s build is large and muscular. The sleek black hair tucked behind his ears reaches his shoulders. On his left bicep is a large bite scar. His dark, black eyes stare at me with amusement.

I ready myself as the man jumps into the water. His bare feet seem unbothered by the cold liquid. The dark jeans become wet around his ankles.

The rogue chuckles, “I know you must be cold. Come back with me and the men to our camp. The females will be good company for you while they find you clothes.”

I stare down the man with malice. My muscles ache and my lungs are on fire. I notice how my fingers and toes are stiff and numb from the cold.

My ears twitch. I can hear a light rustling behind me. I glance sideways to see a gray wolf growling and snarling at me. Another follows after him.

“Now,” the man says arrogantly with a smirk, “are we going to do this the easy way…or the hard way?”

I muster enough strength to stand tall and straight. I make sure to let my dominant aura radiate through the air. My feet bury themselves in the mud for some kind of foundation.

“Try me,” I growl. A wolf behind me on my left pounces, but I easily jump over its head. I’m able to use the leverage to slam my forearm down on its spine.

A crack sounds, and the wolf erupts in a painful howl as it falls limply on the muddy bank.

The other wolf growls furiously. He lunges at my legs, but the same thing happens, except, before I can break its spine, the leader catches me in midair.

My body slams against the wet, rocky portion of the riverbank. I’m shocked from the impact and struggle to take in breaths. The man smiles down at me with a hunger hidden behind his eyes.

He has my hands pinned above my head. The weight of his body keeps mine tightly against the rocks. Lynne is struggling to give me what strength she has left, but it’s useless.

“There’s no more fight left in you now?” the man asks. “Well, you did take down at least five of my men and injured another six. You’re definitely the one I’ve been looking for.”

My heart jumps up in my chest as the man breathes lightly up and down my neck, then moves to my chest. I growl in protest and struggle against his grip.

“Feisty,” he whispers. “Just how I like them.”

His hot breath sends chills through my body.

“Go to hell.” I grit my teeth.

“Only if you go with me, Firefly.”

I ball my hands until I feel the skin break. ~What is it with males giving me nicknames? It makes my blood boil.~

~

“Boss, it’s almost dark.” Another male appears. ~What’s with these guys not wearing shirts?~

~

The man growls lowly in frustration, “Bind her hands and arms. ~No one~ touches her. ~She’s mine~.”

I scoff as he lifts me off the ground with ease. The rogue’s men do as they’re told and eat me with their eyes.

I hiss as the ropes are fastened tightly around my wrists. Another is looped around my neck with a handle for the leader to keep in his hand.

“Walk.” He tugs on the rope lightly. I don’t budge. “I said, ~walk~.”

This time, the rope makes me take steps forward in order not to fall flat on my face.

“I told you.” The man looks back with a smirk. “You’re ~mine~.”