Mated to a Vampire

Chapter two

Escape had been the sole dream I cherished, disregarding any uncertainty that lay ahead.

We halted at a particular spot where my friend crouched down, her hand twisting something on the ground. It was a concealed door.

The door emitted a soft sound as it rotated twice and clicked. My friend lifted it, revealing a hidden passageway resembling a pipeline.

"This is where I'll bid you farewell, Liv. This pipe will guide you to the outskirts of our territory, where freedom awaits. However, you must remain cautious, just in case someone is on guard, although I highly doubt it," she cautioned.

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

She smiled and motioned toward the opening. "Go ahead."

Taking a seat, I let my legs dangle into the hole, stealing one last glance at my friend. Closing my eyes tightly, I descended swiftly, swaying back and forth like a serpent. The rushing wind was invigorating.

The journey continued for a while until, unexpectedly, I found myself soaring through the air. I gasped in astonishment, followed by a groan as I landed roughly on the ground. With a slight grimace, I surveyed my surroundings, my eyes alert. Struggling to my feet, I brushed off the dry leaves clinging to my tattered ash-colored gown.

The towering trees that surrounded me confirmed I was in a forest. I gazed upward, mesmerized by the magnificent purple sky adorned with countless twinkling stars. These sights were previously confined to the pages of the various books my friend had often brought for me to read.

The air, fresh and untainted, filled my lungs, exuding a sense of liberation. I couldn't help but smile, overwhelmed with joy, as I began to walk. With outstretched arms, I turned in a circle, relishing the intake of the crisp, invigorating air.

Never before had I experienced such unbridled happiness. Laughter bubbled up from within me, and I broke into a run. My pace quickened, causing everything in my field of vision to blur, while the strong gusts of wind whipped my long brown hair away from my face.

The opportunity to showcase my powers had never presented itself before. While vampires were known for their swiftness in running, I had never tested it myself. The sensation was exhilarating, a tangible reminder of my inherent strength.

However, my brisk sprint came to an abrupt halt as a peculiar scent caught my attention. It carried hints of muskiness, dampness, earthiness, and a touch of pine. Frowning, I scanned my surroundings, wondering if it was merely a consequence of being in a forest. Yet, deep down, I knew that wasn't the case.

The scent triggered an unsettling sense of unease within me. I could almost feel something lurking nearby, slowly encroaching on my location.

Anxiety filled my being as I anxiously surveyed my surroundings. My ears pricked up, attuned to the crackling sound of leaves and the echoing footsteps. And then, a deep, guttural growl reached my ears.

A growl? Could it be a... werewolf?

Before I could react, one of them lunged at me from the side, causing me to crash onto the ground with a startled yelp. My eyes widened in horror as I found myself face to face with a pair of golden eyes, flecked with amber, and the menacing fangs attempting to snap at me. Fortunately, I managed to hold it back by grasping its neck in self-defense.

A fierce struggle ensued as I desperately fought to push the werewolf off me. Eventually, I succeeded, watching as it tumbled to the ground with a resounding yelp.

Scrambling to my feet, I swiftly turned around, only to be confronted by three more werewolves. As I spun once again, I discovered another trio behind me. It became painfully clear that I was utterly outnumbered and trapped.

Fear gripped me as my life flashed before my eyes. My vision blurred with tears, and overwhelming terror consumed me.

Damn it! This was all my fault. I should have been more cautious. My friend had warned me, but the intoxicating allure of freedom clouded my judgment.

Was this how it would all end? Slain mercilessly by enraged werewolves? Oh no, what could I possibly do? Did I even desire death? Was it a preferable fate to the prison cell I had escaped?

Anxiety eclipsed every coherent thought, leaving me paralyzed by fear.

They continued growling and snarling, their menacing presence causing my feet to feel rooted in place, as if anchored to the ground. They resembled the descriptions I had read in books—feral creatures, primed to unleash their deadly fangs with a single strike, capable of sending me into the realm of the afterlife.

What should I do? What should I do? Should I fight back? But did I even possess the skills to engage in combat? I had never confronted anything or anyone in a physical altercation before.

Though I had believed myself unafraid of death, having envisioned countless ways to meet my demise during my time in that wretched cage, now, with death before my very eyes, I comprehended the grim reality of its brutality, particularly at the hands of werewolves.

Suddenly, a surge of yellow overcame my vision, my body instinctively shifting into a defensive stance, fangs bared with a hiss. It seemed that the sight of the enemy triggered an automatic response within me—to fight back.

My fingers morphed into sharp claws, poised and ready for the impending clash. However, to my surprise, they did not immediately launch an attack.

I sensed their confusion as their gazes darted between each other, communicating through an unspoken connection unique to pack members. I had heard about the werewolves' ability to communicate telepathically—a mind link among their kind—and I couldn't help but find it intriguing.

Then, in unison, they directed their attention toward me, their collective growl reverberating through the air.

Without hesitation, one of them lunged at me, and in self-defense, I delivered a powerful punch that sent it hurtling against a nearby tree. Another assailant charged, and with a swift kick, I repelled it backward to where it had originated.

Using my claws, I swiftly swiped at the belly of another werewolf, seizing the opportunity to throw one far away from me. In the midst of the fight, an exhilarating surge of strength coursed through me.

It was beyond belief that I was actually engaged in combat against werewolves, yet my streak of fortune took a turn when one of them caught me off guard, leaving a deep scratch on my left arm.

I let out a whimper, collapsing onto the floor, cradling the wounded part of my body with a deep frown etched upon my face. The pain radiated through me, causing me to utter, "Ow," in a strained breath.

Struggling to compose myself, I sat up, my breathing labored, only to find one of the werewolves advancing towards me with an enraged snarl. Overwhelmed by fear, I could only shuffle backward in terror, my gaze fixated on the furious golden eyes of the brown werewolf looming before me.

In a desperate attempt to shield myself, I tightly closed my eyes, anticipating the imminent pounce. However, a sudden whimper shattered the tension, prompting me to cautiously open my eyes once more. To my astonishment, a tall and muscular man now stood in front of me.

As I beheld his presence, my eyes widened in disbelief. It was as though I had never encountered someone so breathtakingly handsome, having been imprisoned for the entirety of my life. Yet, this man—this captivating figure—felt eerily familiar, as if I had encountered him before in my dreams.

However, in that moment, he exuded an aura of intimidation, his stunning cerulean blue eyes piercing into mine with an undeniable sense of danger.

"How dare you?" his voice resonated with an unyielding authority, sending a chill down my spine. Though he did not raise his voice, the sheer forcefulness of his words made me quiver, akin to the icy touch of a cool spring stream trickling down my back.

This wasn't how he appeared in my dreams; he was always smiling at me, a figure I fantasized about.

"You dare trespass into my territory, you vampire filth," he spoke once more, causing me to gulp. It was evident that the man was seething with anger.

I hadn't even realized I had strayed into werewolf territory. I was simply running aimlessly, without a clear thought in my mind. Oh God, I was so foolish.

"I'm sorry," I managed to utter, fear gripping me tightly. But would he end my life?

It would be ironic if the man from my dreams turned out to be the one responsible for my demise.

Another individual hurriedly approached us, declaring, "Alpha, I don't think there's any need to engage in conversation with this vampire. Let's just kill it and cast it out of our territory."

I glanced at the man with a faint frown etched on my face. How wicked he seemed.

Then, my gaze returned to the alpha. So, this was an alpha—the leader among the werewolves, and it made sense that he exuded such an intimidating presence. After all, alphas were known to be the strongest of their kind.

"Take her to the dungeon."

"What?!" I exclaimed, mirroring the sentiments of the man standing beside the alpha, which caught the alpha's attention.

"Alpha, we don't spare the lives of vampires. We eliminate them on the spot."

The alpha narrowed his eyes at me, as if contemplating or assessing my nature. "But this one is different. Look at her eyes."

I blinked, realizing that my eyes had not reverted to their usual color. I turned my gaze towards him, pleading silently with my eyes. "I apologize for trespassing into your territory. It was never my intention. Please, I beg you, do not imprison me." It was the last thing I desired.

The alpha scoffed. "I show no mercy to unwanted intruders who cross into my territory, especially vampires. Let us see how you fare in confinement." He then directed his attention to the man by his side. "Take her and lock her up. Vervain should quell her feisty attitude."

With that, he strode away, leaving me behind, consumed by a sense of foreboding.