Bound by Blood
680 Words
Pain.
It pulsed behind Alina’s eyes, a dull, throbbing ache that spread through her skull like wildfire.
She tried to move, but her body felt heavy. As if something unseen was pressing her down, pinning her to the earth.
Her senses stirred slowly—first, the rough texture of the ground beneath her. Then, the distant sound of wind rustling through leaves.
And finally—the unmistakable scent of blood.
Her eyes snapped open.
Where am I?
She wasn’t on the street anymore.
She was lying on a cold, stone floor, surrounded by towering trees and ruins bathed in moonlight. The night air was crisp, laced with the metallic tang of blood and something… older.
Something ancient.
Her body tensed. The last thing she remembered was the wolves. The fight. That impossible burst of light.
And the stranger.
Her gaze darted around, searching for him—only to find him standing a few feet away, his back turned to her.
His black coat billowed slightly as he stood rigid, his head tilted toward the sky.
Like he was listening.
And then—he spoke.
“You shouldn’t have been able to do that.”
His voice was different now. Still deep, still smooth—but laced with something else.
Unease?
Alina swallowed. “Do what?”
The man finally turned.
For the first time, she saw him clearly.
And what she saw made her blood run cold.
His face was too perfect—sharp angles, high cheekbones, a jawline that looked carved from stone. His skin was pale, but not sickly—more like polished marble, smooth and flawless.
But it was his eyes that unsettled her the most.
They weren’t just red. They were glowing.
Like embers smoldering beneath the surface, flickering with something unnatural.
Something hungry.
Alina instinctively backed up.
The man’s lips curled slightly—almost amused. “Afraid?”
“What are you?” she demanded.
His expression didn’t change. “The real question is—” He took a slow step forward. “What are you?”
Alina’s pulse spiked. “What the hell does that mean?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he moved—too fast.
One second, he was standing several feet away.
The next—he was right in front of her.
Alina gasped, stumbling back.
But his hand shot out—grabbing her wrist before she could escape.
And the moment his fingers touched her skin—fire erupted in her veins.
Not pain. Not exactly.
Something stronger. Something older.
Something forbidden.
Her breath hitched. The moment stretched between them, charged with something she couldn’t name.
The man’s eyes darkened. His grip tightened—just enough for her to feel it.
“You shouldn’t exist.”
Alina barely heard him. Her heart was hammering too loudly.
Because in that moment—
She saw something in his gaze.
Something dangerous.
Something undeniable.
Recognition.
As if, somehow, he knew her.
Even though they had never met.
Had they?
Her head spun. No. Impossible.
And yet—his expression said otherwise.
Like he had been waiting for her.
Like he had known she would come.
Before she could speak, the man suddenly released her, stepping back like he had touched something forbidden.
His gaze flickered, unreadable. “This changes things.”
Alina’s chest rose and fell rapidly.
She had so many questions.
But before she could ask any of them—something howled in the distance.
The stranger sighed, rolling his shoulders. “Looks like they aren’t done hunting.”
Alina’s blood ran cold.
More wolves?
The man tilted his head, studying her once more. Then, he exhaled sharply.
“Come with me.”
Alina’s brows furrowed. “What? No way. I don’t even know who you are.”
His lips twitched in a humorless smirk.
“Oh, you’ll want to.”
He turned, walking into the shadows of the ruins. And despite every instinct screaming at her not to follow—
She did.
Because somehow—she already knew.
This man was going to change her life.
Or worse—
He already had.
- Writer
