The Escape
723 Words
Maya’s lungs burned as she sprinted through the dense forest, branches clawing at her skin. She didn’t care. She couldn’t care. All that mattered was getting away.
The night was thick, the darkness pressing against her like a living thing. She had no idea where she was, but anywhere was better than back there—with him.
Her mind replayed his words. Mate. Mine. You won’t last a day.
Bullshit.
Her legs ached, but she didn’t stop. She pushed forward, dodging tree trunks, her breath ragged. The distant sound of rushing water fueled her hope—if she could follow it, maybe she’d find a road.
And yet… something felt wrong.
The forest was too quiet. No crickets. No wind rustling the leaves. Just silence.
Her pulse spiked.
Then—
A snap.
Maya spun, her breath hitching.
Nothing.
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep moving. But the eerie stillness made her skin crawl.
Another snap. Closer.
Her steps faltered. She wasn’t alone.
Maya turned sharply, expecting to see him.
But she didn’t.
Instead, something else stood in the shadows.
Low to the ground. Dark. Unmoving.
Then it growled.
Maya’s blood ran cold.
A pair of glowing red eyes blinked at her from the darkness.
Her chest tightened. That… that wasn’t human.
She took a slow, unsteady step back. The creature—whatever it was—matched her movement.
She could feel its hunger.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as she forced herself to think. She had no weapon, no plan. Just instinct.
And instinct screamed run.
Maya turned and bolted.
The beast snarled and lunged.
She barely made it three steps before she heard it crashing through the underbrush behind her—faster than anything should be.
She wasn’t going to outrun it.
Something slammed into her from behind.
Maya hit the ground hard, pain exploding in her ribs. Clawed hands grabbed her, flipping her onto her back.
A face loomed over her—wild, feral, with jagged teeth glinting in the dim moonlight. Its breath was hot, reeking of blood and decay.
Terror locked her throat.
It wasn’t human.
It wasn’t possible.
Then, just as suddenly—
A blur of motion.
The creature was gone, ripped away from her so fast she barely registered what happened.
A deafening snarl tore through the air.
Maya gasped, rolling onto her elbows, eyes widening.
Kieran.
But not Kieran.
His golden eyes glowed. His body was tense, muscles flexing as he towered over the fallen beast.
He looked feral.
Maya’s breath hitched as he moved—fast, precise. The creature lunged again, but Kieran caught it mid-air, twisting—
A sickening crack.
Silence.
The body crumpled.
Maya’s stomach lurched.
She scrambled back, her entire body shaking. Her mind screamed for her to run, but she couldn’t move.
Kieran turned to face her.
His eyes still burned gold, his breathing heavy.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was rough, edged with something she didn’t understand.
Maya opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
He took a step closer.
She flinched.
Kieran’s jaw clenched. For a second, something flickered across his face—something unreadable.
Then, he exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. The golden glow in his eyes dimmed.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” His voice was quieter now. “This isn’t just about you.”
Maya swallowed hard, her heart still hammering.
“What… what was that?” Her voice barely held steady.
Kieran didn’t answer right away. His gaze flicked to the dead creature, then back to her.
“You’re safer with me than out here alone.”
A bitter laugh bubbled from her lips. “Oh, yeah? Being kidnapped is super safe.”
His expression darkened. “You were about to die.”
Maya opened her mouth—then shut it.
Because he was right.
And she hated that more than anything.
Kieran took a slow step forward. This time, she didn’t flinch.
“Come back,” he said, quieter now. Not a demand. Not a threat. Just… a statement.
Maya’s hands curled into fists. Every part of her screamed to refuse. To fight.
But the memory of those glowing red eyes was still burned into her mind.
She exhaled shakily.
And, against every ounce of her will—
She took a step toward him.
- Writer
