HE REALLY WAS A PREDATOR
908 Words
Elara paced the small living room of the cabin, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She couldn’t stop glancing at Aiden.
He stood near the window, shoulders tense, eyes scanning the woods outside like a predator tracking prey.
“You haven’t stopped moving since we got here,” she said, her voice sharper than she intended.
Aiden didn’t turn around. “Because they’ll keep coming.”
Her stomach twisted. “Who are ‘they’ exactly? You keep throwing out warnings but never explanations.”
His eyes flicked to hers, sharp enough to pin her in place. “You’re not ready for the truth.”
“I wasn’t ready for bullets either, but here we are.”
His gaze didn’t soften. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”
Her frustration boiled over. “Because you keep playing hero!”
Aiden stepped closer, his body radiating heat even from across the room. “You think this is a game? That I enjoy chasing you through gunfire?”
“Then tell me why!” She pointed at him, her voice trembling. “Why me? Why now? Why the hell do you think I need you?”
Silence stretched between them, heavy and sharp.
Finally, Aiden exhaled and turned away. “Because I know what they want.”
Elara’s chest tightened. “And what’s that?”
“You.”
The word hung between them, heavy and dangerous. Elara almost fainted from trying not to strangle him. Although she didn't think it was possible.
Elara swallowed her frustration. “Again, why me?!”
Aiden’s jaw clenched. “Because you’re tied to them. To their world.”
She shook her head. “I don’t even know who ‘they’ are!”
“Not yet,” he said, stepping closer. “But you will.”
Her fingers dug into her arms, nails pressing against her skin. “Stop being cryptic! Just tell me—”
“I’m not human, Elara.”
The words froze her.
For a long moment, she didn’t move—couldn’t move.
And then she laughed. It burst out of her, sharp and humorless. “You’re insane.”
Aiden’s lips twitched. “Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“You’re actually insane.” A drop of tear left her eye. She was tired of the absurdity of it all.
His hand shot out, grabbing hers. Before she could jerk away, he pressed her palm flat against his chest.
She felt it—heat, strength—and something deeper. A hum, like static under his skin.
“What—”
Before she could finish, his skin rippled. For the briefest moment, she felt something shift beneath it—something wrong and unnatural.
Elara yanked her hand away and stumbled back.
“What the hell was that?”
Aiden’s eyes darkened, the golden flecks in them seeming to glow.
“The truth,” he said softly.
Elara pressed her back against the wall, her breath coming in sharp, shallow bursts.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No. You’re lying.”
Aiden didn’t move closer. He stayed where he was, letting her process it.
“You’re not human,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
He held her gaze. “A wolf.”
The word sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn’t look away.
“This is insane,” she muttered. “This can’t be real.”
"It is."
Her pulse raced. “You expect me to just believe that?”
“No,” he said quietly. “I expect you to be scared.”
And God, she was.
But the worst part was the heat that curled low in her stomach every time he looked at her like that—like he was one wrong move away from devouring her.
“I didn’t want you to know,” Aiden said finally.
“Why not?”
“Because now I can’t let you go.”
Her breath hitched. “What?”
“It’s not just them after you, Elara.” He stepped closer, slowly this time, giving her the chance to move away—but she didn’t. “It’s me too.”
Her pulse quickened. “What does that mean?”
Aiden’s voice dropped, rough and raw. “It means you’re mine.”
The words hit her like a punch to the chest.
“You don’t get to decide that!”
“I didn’t.” His eyes darkened, and she swore the gold flecks burned brighter. “It’s not a choice.”
Her skin prickled. “You’re insane.”
“Maybe.”
His hand rose to her jaw, tilting her face up toward his. Her breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away.
“This is wrong,” she whispered.
“Stop me.”
Her lips parted, but the words wouldn’t come. Because the truth was, she didn’t want him to stop.
Not when his mouth brushed against hers—slow, deliberate—before claiming her completely.
The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was fierce, desperate, and all-consuming, like he’d been starving for her and finally let himself take a bite.
Her fingers dug into his shirt, and she hated herself for the way her body melted against his.
When he finally broke away, his breath was ragged.
“This isn’t over,” he said, his voice thick with hunger.
And Elara knew he wasn’t just talking about the kiss.
- Writer
