Game Of Fangs

Enemies in the Dark

Brayen’s grip on Ruth's hand tightened, and she knew he felt it too—the danger, the tension, the weight of something unseen lurking in the shadows.

They barely had time to process the sound of footsteps closing in before the ambush hit them.

Out of nowhere, a group of hostile vampires leaped from the surrounding shadows, their pale faces twisted with menace.

Ruth’s heart dropped. These weren’t just any vampires. She recognized them immediately—her father’s men, handpicked for their loyalty and ruthlessness.

Vincent DeLuca had sent them, and she knew exactly why.

“Ruth,” Brayen growled, pulling her behind him as his eyes flicked over the advancing figures. His muscles tensed, ready for a fight.

There were five of them, circling like predators, eyes glowing with bloodlust.

They didn’t speak, but their intent was clear—Ruth wasn’t supposed to be with Brayen not now, not ever.

Ruth was a vampire and Brayen a werewolf. Their relationship was forbidden by their kinds and they both knew it.

And now, her father had made his move, they were going to tear her away from the only person who made her feel safe.

“Leave now, and we won’t kill him,” one of the vampires hissed, his voice low and cold. His fangs glinted under the dim streetlight as he stepped forward, a wicked grin playing on his lips.

“Your father wants you home, Ruth. You know what happens if you resist.”

Ruth’s pulse quickened, her mind racing.

She had only sneaked out to go meet with Brayen little did she know that her father had sent his men after her. She looked scared and at the same time upset.

She knew that these men weren't there just to get her. They equally wanted to hurt Brayen and she couldn't afford to let that happen.

Before she could respond, Brayen lunged at the nearest vampire, his reflexes fast as lightning.

His fist connected with the vampire’s jaw in a sickening c***k, but it wasn’t enough to put him down.

The vampire snarled, baring his fangs, and retaliated with a vicious swipe that Brayen barely dodged.

"Stay behind me," Brayen barked at Ruth, but she was already moving, her instincts taking over.

She wasn’t helpless. Her father had trained her for moments like this, and she wasn’t about to let these bloodthirsty vampires tear them apart.

Ruth ducked under a swinging fist, her movements fluid and sharp. She kicked out, her boot connecting with the vampire’s knee, sending him crashing to the ground.

But another was already on her, faster than she could react. He grabbed her arm, twisting it painfully as she struggled to break free.

“Ruth!” Brayen yelled, his voice strained. He was fighting two vampires at once, his movements precise but growing desperate.

He threw one off him with a powerful punch, but the other tackled him to the ground.

Ruth twisted in the vampire’s grip, slamming her elbow into his ribs with all her strength.

He grunted, loosening his hold just enough for her to wrench free. She spun, her fist catching him across the face, but the others were closing in fast.

It was a blur of fists, fangs, and blood.

Brayen was holding his own, but Ruth could see he was tiring. His werewolf strength gave him an edge, but the vampires were relentless, faster and more agile.

One of them landed a hard blow to Brayen’s ribs, and she heard him gasp in pain.

“Brayen!” Ruth screamed, her heart lurching in her chest. She darted toward him, but another vampire blocked her path, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her against the wall.

The breath was knocked out of her, her vision swimming as she struggled to breathe.

The vampire leaned in close, his fangs bared. “You should have listened, Ruth. You should have stayed away from him.”

Rage boiled inside her, hotter than the pain in her chest. With a sharp twist, she brought her knee up, slamming it into the vampire’s groin.

He let out a choked groan and stumbled back, giving her just enough time to grab a nearby piece of metal pipe lying in the alley.

She swung it with all her strength, the sound of metal meeting bone ringing through the alley as the vampire dropped to the ground.

But there wasn’t time to breathe. Ruth spun around to see Brayen still locked in a brutal struggle, one of the vampires sinking his fangs into Brayen’s shoulder.

Blood poured from the wound, and Brayen’s face twisted in agony.

“No!” Ruth shouted, rushing forward. She swung the pipe again, smashing it into the vampire’s back.

He released Brayen with a snarl, spinning to face her, but Ruth didn’t hesitate.

She hit him again and again until he collapsed at her feet.

Brayen stumbled, clutching his injured shoulder. “We need to go,” he rasped, his voice pained.

Ruth grabbed his arm, supporting him as they staggered toward the end of the alley.

The vampires were still recovering, but they wouldn’t stay down for long.

"Come on," Ruth urged, her heart pounding as they slipped into the shadows of the narrow streets.

Every step felt like it could be their last as they ran, the sound of their pursuers echoing behind them.

Brayen winced with every movement, blood soaking through his jacket.

Ruth’s mind raced—how had it come to this? It was obvious that her father's men were not there just to get her and hurt Brayen, they meant to kill him.

They ducked into an abandoned building, the darkness swallowing them whole. For a moment, it was quiet, only the sound of their ragged breathing filling the air.

Ruth’s hands trembled as she pressed against Brayen’s wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

“We can’t stay here long,” Brayen whispered, his face pale with pain.

“They’ll find us.” Just then, Ruth’s phone buzzed in her pocket, its glow piercing the darkness.

She hesitated, knowing who it would be. With a deep breath, she pulled it out and stared at the screen. It was a message from her father.

“I know about Brayen. Come home. Or else.”

Her heart dropped. There was no mistaking the threat in his words.

Vincent DeLuca wasn’t one to make idle threats. If she didn’t go back, if she didn’t end things with Brayen, the consequences would be severe—for both of them.

Ruth’s mind spun. How could he know that she was dating Brayen? Had he been watching her this whole time? She looked away wondering when he started suspecting her. She gritted her teeth hard, her mind swirling with thoughts.

She loved Brayen, but this wasn’t just about them anymore. It was about her family’s legacy, her loyalty, and the war that was brewing between their two worlds. It was about the rules she was breaking, a vampire can't be with a werewolf.

She looked at Brayen, his face pale and bloodied, yet his eyes still filled with concern for her.

“We can’t run forever,” he said quietly, as if reading her thoughts.

Tears stung Ruth’s eyes, her heart twisting painfully in her chest. She didn’t want to choose. She didn’t want to lose Brayen.

But how could she betray her family? How could she betray everything she had been raised to protect?

“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Brayen reached out, his bloodied hand cupping her cheek gently.

“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

But Ruth knew it wasn’t that simple. The path ahead of them was filled with danger, betrayal, and impossible choices.

And no matter what she decided, someone would lose.

"I just hope so" she muttered biting softly on her lower lip.

Outside, the night was still, but Ruth could feel the storm closing in.

Time was running out. And soon, she would have to make the hardest decision of her life.