Sworn Enemies

Chapter 2: Captured

I closed my eyes as I let myself fall over the cliff's edge. As I fell through the air, I stretched out my arms, embracing the wind as it pushed and pulled at me. In this moment, I couldn't care that I was descending to possible death. I was the master of my own fate and I felt freer than I'd ever been.

Within a few seconds, I splashed into the shallow waters, landing on my stomach. I gasped as I stood up, the water barely at my shoulders. I coughed, clutching my ribs in pain as I struggled to fix my breathing. I winced, feeling the razor-sharp pain as I inhaled. The water had softened my fall but I'd still broken a rib or two on impact.

“Hey!" a voice rang out from behind me.

I froze, suddenly remembering the fact that I was now in werewolf territory.

“Hey, who are you?" she asked, now sounding closer than before.

I turned around, plastering a smile on my face as I said, “Sara."

“What are you doing this close to the border?" she asked, eying my wet clothes suspiciously.

“The water looked nice so I decided to take a dip," I said, laughing nervously as I ran a hand through the water casually.

“Werewolves aren't allowed this far out. You know that," she said, frowning.

“You're right. I'll go," I said, nodding before beginning to walk away. I let out a breath I was holding in, realizing she had no idea who I was. I don't know what I expected, I'd never been in werewolf territory before so of course she wouldn't know who I was.

I barely made it a few feet before I heard another voice.

“You."

His voice was different than hers. His deep baritone possessed an air of authority that stopped me dead in my tracks.

I heard a set of footsteps, perhaps two or three. I couldn't bring myself to turn around, my feet frozen in place where I stood. I took a deep breath before turning around. This time there were three of them. It was two guys and a girl. The boy, the one who had spoke, was taller than the other two. His beige skin shone brightly, the sunlight reflecting off of it. The other two stood at his sides like loyal bodyguards. It was clear he was the one in charge.

“What are you doing this close to the border?" he asked again, his gaze laser focused on me.

His emerald green eyes seemed to pierce right through me, threatening to uncover all my deepest secrets. I forcibly tore my eyes from his gaze, swallowing hard to catch my breath as my mouth went dry.

“I know it's forbidden. I just wanted to take a swim," I said, focusing my gaze on the girl. Her face was a bit more relaxed than the others, giving me hope that my lie might convince at least one of them.

“It's getting late. You should go home," she said, nodding at me.

“Goodnight," I said, smiling before backing away.

“Wait," he spoke again, his hollow voice causing every hair on my body to prick up.

“I've never seen you before. What's your name?"

“Sara. I really have to get going, my parents will be wondering where I am," I said quickly, holding his intense gaze.

“Who are your parents?" he questioned, c*****g his head at me in curiosity as he took in my attire. I'll admit, I looked suspicious. I was filthy and dressed in tattered clothes which contrasted to their clean, neat attire.

“That's none of your business," I snapped, annoyed at his persistence.

I instantly regretted it when I saw the shock register across his face and his eyebrows furrow in annoyance. I could tell he wasn't used to people talking back to him.

“What clan are you from?" the other boy spoke up.

My mind raced, desperately trying to remember the clan names. I heard Father mention them once or twice whenever he was angry. Of course now of all times, my mind was blank. His probing stare didn't help either.

Realizing my cover was already blown, I decided to do the only thing I knew how. I turned and took off, racing as fast as I could in the opposite direction. I could hear the pitter patter of their footsteps chasing after me. I didn't make it but a few feet before I felt strong arms tackle me from behind. crashing down to the ground, falling forward right onto my ribs with his weight on top of me. I screamed in pain as I rolled over, pushing him off of me. My fangs sprung out as I kicked him back instinctively. He stepped back, giving me room as I crawled to my feet and stood up. I spit out saliva mixed with blood as I continued to cough, fighting to catch my breath.

“Is she a vampire?" the girl asked, eying my fangs confusedly.

“No way, she smells like one of us," the shorter boy said, shaking his head.

“She's not one of us," the one in charge stated, his eyes turning colder than they already were.

There was only one emotion evident in his gaze now. It was an emotion I was used to seeing but never quite grew accustomed to. Indifference. I had no idea who he was so it shouldn't have affected me but somehow it did. That look was enough to sink my heart right down to my stomach. His eyes narrowed at me, his whole body tensing up at the realization. He swept his hand through his hair, banishing the wavy curls that were sitting on his forehead to the back of his head before turning around.

“The hybrid is coming with us," he said.