Betrayed By The Vampire Prince

The eeriness of the forest didn't faze me. I tucked a stray hair behind my right ear as my eyes took in the trees. I glanced around the place, searching for anything that might be amiss, but there was nothing apart from a silence which can send the bravest men to their graves. “Damn, those boys,” I mutter under my breath, feeling the urge to match out of the forest and demand we call an end to the dare. But I know I can't do that. I'm not known as the fearless girl for nought. Even if it means entering the evil forest —which I'm now in, mind you — I will do anything to keep my name. It's just a dare. I can do it. I let out a disgruntled sigh for the third time today as I hasten towards the large tree at the end, to get a certain leaf. That's the term of the dare. I'm to get a leave from the only tree that doesn't grow in the village —the tree of blood. My eyes scan the place. As a young werewolf, I'm not afraid of anything — well, that's what I tell myself all the damned time. I always love to prove myself to my friends, and that includes going on dares with my Betas. I glance down at my choice of clothes for the day. At 5'4 (1.63 m), I'm the shortest in the group I formed. That was why I do everything in my power, to dress like a vagabond— my father's words, not mine. My blonde hair is tied up in a loose bun with a few stray hairs, cascading down my face, mostly obstructing my view. The dark pants and shirt I'm putting on belong to my eldest brother. I had to roll both the legs of the pants and the— A moan caused me to cease my thoughts. I freeze, not knowing what to do or the right step to take. What made the noise? I wonder aloud, still trying to know if I heard the sound, or if my mind conjured it, which isn't difficult to believe because I tend to hear things. The sound came once more. This time, it sounded like it was coming from the back of the large tree I was heading towards. I sniffed the air, only to take a step back in shock. Sure all hell, the smell of blood is strong in the air. I didn't waste any time running towards the tree. All thoughts of danger left my mind at the thought that someone is likely in need of help. The shock that escaped from my mouth at the sight of a young man, lying in the pool of his blood, was a shrill sound. The young man slowly glanced up. His eyes are partially dilated, but I'm able to make out the green of those orbs. If his red hair didn't give it away, his green eyes did. I take hasty steps back. My heart hammers in my chest like a broken band which was glued together. I gulp in fear as my eyes scan around the place, searching for other bloodsuckers. This forest is forbidden for a reason. It's the boundary between us and the bloodsuckers. And any Werewolf who braves it never returns. You will think that the story alone will make me back down from the dare when the boys presented it, but it didn't. Hell, I have never believed those tales. I believed it was woven by the old ones in the community, to keep us in check. But right now, with a wounded vampire in front of me, I don't doubt it — vampires exist. They are not the folktale I always take them for. “Help me,” his voice comes out shaky and pained. His eyes dilate some more, making it seem like he is having a hard time keeping them open. His brows twitch some more before he opens them wide. “Help… Help me.” The pain in his eyes, the darkness's swirling within them and the little gasps from him, made me hurry towards him. I kneel next to him and place a hand on his forehead. Up close, I'm able to see how handsome the man is. Though he looks to be on the brink of death, I can't deny that he's by far one of the most handsome men I've ever seen. It makes me wonder if what the elders said about vampires having looks, to lure prey, is true. His deathly pale skin is another thing that added to his beauty. His long lashes, fanning his cheeks and pointed nose, which seems so straightforward, it seems fake, made me wish to run a hand through his hair. “Help me.” His voice startles me from my thoughts. I slowly peer into those green orbs of his before I sigh in disgruntlement. I search his body for the source of his bloodlust and notice it's on his abdomen. It looks like he fought with an animal. The claw marks on his stomach are enough proof. Without a word, I tear off the part of his shirt, covering his abdomen. I place a hand on his stomach and watch him take shaky breaths. “You need to stay here, I will be right back.” I stand from the floor and rush towards the tree not too far from us. As a werewolf who has been brought up to hate vampires, I'm supposed to either leave the man to die or report him to the council, but that's far from my mind. Not only will I have to explain what I was doing in the forest in the first place, but I've got to send a man, who did nothing to me, to his death. The elders won't think twice about killing him. After all, he's our enemy. We don't suffer our enemies to live. We wipe them without remorse. I know that because I'm part of those who pay back an eye for an eye. I don't mind who you might be. I pluck three leaves from the branches of the tree before I hurry back to the man who's now gasping. “It's okay, this will help.” I kneel next to him once more and squeeze the leaves between my palms. I rub my palms together until I got a little paste from the leaves. “It will sting at first. You have to bear it for a moment, it will stop the bleeding and pain.” I whisper as I press the paste on his wound. A hiss from him is all I heard. He didn't cry out like I thought he will, and neither did he gnash his teeth. “It's okay.” I touch the wound. The leave I applied to him grows in all parts of our pack. It's one that the Omegas use to heal their wounds when they incur one. As a Luna, I have no use for those because I heal fast. However, I've used it on my best friend, Hilda. A gasp from the man next to me, made me turn. His eyes are still tightly shut, but I can tell from the lines on his forehead that he's no longer in pain. The lines have decreased to leave only a few creases between his brows. I glance around the place. It's still afternoon, but I know it won't be long until dusk falls. I left the pack an hour ago. I bet Hilda has noticed my absence. The man slowly opens his eyes and locks them with mine. His green eyes swirl with so many emotions, but I'm able to pick out one, which is confusion. … Huh. Why is he confused? “Where am I?” Came the question I wasn't expecting.