Chapter 8: The Hunter
567 Words
Seraphina's heart slammed against her ribs. Someone knew. The realization hit her harder than the cold morning air.
Slowly, she turned toward the voice. A tall man stepped out between the trees. Dark hair. Dark eyes. And a scar running across his jaw. He wasn't a member of the Blackthorne Pack—she would have remembered him.
The stranger's gaze immediately dropped to her stomach. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Interesting."
Fear crawled down Seraphina's spine. "Who are you?"
The man ignored her question. Instead, he took another step forward. "The heir is real after all."
Seraphina's wolf growled uneasily inside her. Run. Every instinct screamed at her to run. She took a step backward.
The stranger noticed. His smile widened. "There's no need to be afraid, Luna."
His calm tone only frightened her more. Because men who meant no harm didn't hide in forests waiting for pregnant women.
"Stay away from me."
The stranger laughed. "Unfortunately, I can't do that."
The words sent a chill through her body. Behind him, more figures emerged from the trees. One. Two. Three. Four. Rogues. Her stomach dropped. She was surrounded.
"Who sent you?" she demanded.
The scarred man tilted his head. "That's not important."
"It is to me."
"Then I'll make it simple." His eyes darkened. "We're here for the child."
Terror exploded inside her. Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach. "No."
The rogue smiled. "Oh yes."
A growl erupted from Seraphina's throat. She might not be the strongest wolf in the territory, but she was still a Luna. And she would fight for her baby.
The rogues spread out, cutting off every escape route. The scarred man folded his arms. "Come quietly and nobody gets hurt."
Seraphina almost laughed. Did they really think she would surrender? Without warning, she spun and bolted deeper into the forest.
"Catch her!" The command echoed behind her.
Branches whipped against her arms as she ran. Her heart pounded wildly. The rogues were faster, stronger, and there were too many of them. But she couldn't stop. Not now. Not ever. The child growing inside her depended on her.
A howl erupted behind her. Then another. Then another. The hunt had begun.
Panic surged through her veins. She pushed herself harder. The forest blurred around her—leaves, branches, shadows. Everything became a frantic rush of movement.
Then suddenly—her foot caught on an exposed root. Seraphina stumbled. Pain shot through her ankle. Before she could recover, she hit the ground. Hard.
A cry escaped her lips. No. No. No.
The rogues were getting closer. She could hear them—their footsteps, their laughter, their excitement.
The scarred rogue emerged from the trees first. A victorious grin spread across his face. "It's over, Luna."
Seraphina's eyes filled with tears. Not for herself. For her baby. She had failed.
The rogue reached toward her. And suddenly—
A deafening growl shook the entire forest. Every rogue froze. Every bird scattered from the trees. Even the wind seemed to stop.
The scarred rogue's face lost all color. "No."
A massive black wolf burst from the shadows. Its silver eyes glowed with murderous fury.
The rogues immediately began retreating, terrified. Because every werewolf in the region knew those eyes. Knew that wolf. Knew exactly who had arrived.
Alpha Lucien Blackthorne.
And judging by the rage rolling off him... someone was about to die.
- Writer
