Beast, Blood, & Soul

* 9 *

"What the hell is he?" I gasp in shock. The man who seduced me on the dance floor stares at me with red hungry eyes. His gaze devours me as he runs behind us. I'm scared but also caught in that red gaze. Lust burns bright there and I'm left in no doubt what type of hunger controls him. He is growing and his stride lengthens and his footsteps get closer.

"He is what we all are." The blond breathes. I stare at him for a moment, confused and frightened. We pick up speed and the forest whips by, blurred to my sight.

Who are these people?

All I can do is hold on tight as we run through trees and over rocks and debris, dashing here and there, but always the man holding me is sure on his feet. My dance partner growls but never gets closer. I am the bait. I don't know where they are taking us, but clearly, this is all about the man running behind us.

The other four men run a distance behind my red-eyed pursuer. They have fanned out so that no matter what direction he might run, he would be caught by one of them. I don't think they have to worry though. The lust in the hungry gaze makes it clear that my dance partner has only one goal and I'm it.

This is the weirdest game of tag I have ever been a part of.

My red-eyed prince growls as I stay out of his reach. "Give her to me," he growls. His voice sounds more animal than man. His hands reach for me but grab nothing but air. He howls in frustration. I can see that his teeth have changed. They are sharper, with long canines. If I didn't know better, I'd say he looked almost like the monster stories I grew up with.

"Hold on, we're almost there," the man holding me says, breathing hard. His husky voice is in my ear as I watch behind us. Not once has he ever looked back. It's like he knows exactly where our friend is behind him. His hold on me doesn't tighten, exactly, but I feel more secure in his hold and then I feel a change in our surroundings and I look forward and gasp. There is a cave ahead of us and we are rushing towards it at warp speed. I close my eyes and tighten my arms around the neck of the blond man.

"Hold tight" he breathes and we rush into darkness. I close my eyes and fold my head down on his shoulder as we enter the cold interior.

Damp air enfolds us and I hear quick footsteps follow behind us. Their footsteps echo and bounce as we weave through the cave. I keep my eyes closed tight because I can't see anything with them open anyway and that terrifies me. My companions move quickly and don't have my problems.

A growl howls behind me.

A clang.

And we stop.

A desperate, lonely howl cries behind me and I open my eyes in surprise. No longer is my dance partner running for us. He's caught in a cage. His companions surround the cage and the blond man holding me puts me down.

"You're safe now," he whispers. His breath tickles my ear and goosebumps rise along my spine as I try to see my surroundings better, but the dark cave doesn't give up its secrets willingly. The only light is a small lamp that shines near the cage.

"Jungkook, you'll be okay. This will pass." The tallest says in a soothing voice.

Jungkook? His name is Jungkook?

Jungkook keeps staring at me. He never gives the others even a glance. The yearning of his gaze is hard to look away from. I can feel every single cell in his body reaching for me. My body seems willing to answer that silent plea but I stay rooted to where I am.

I notice other details now that I'm not being chased through the forest. Jungkook still has his red eyes. When he howls as he reaches for me in desperation, his mouth shows vampire-like teeth. He's taller now than he had been at the club and he has decidedly more muscle. His hair is wild and I can see hair-like tufts of a beard along his jawline. It's almost like someone has melded a vampire with a werewolf. Except there is no snout and fur.