Well Beyond

4

"I have something planned for you, mate," he spat, his words dripping with venom.

"Just let me go. You don't want me anyways -- and, trust me, the feeling is mutual," I retorted, defiance lacing my voice.

"You're right, I don't," he snorted, his expression twisted with contempt. His cronies caught up to us, their menacing presence looming over me as they yanked me off the forest floor with rough hands.

"You'll be coming back with us," he smirked triumphantly, his eyes glinting with malice. "Don't try anything or you'll end up like your mommy and daddy."

Erik started to walk off in front of us, his posture oozing with arrogant confidence. Just watching him walk away caused a fire of hatred to erupt in my heart. My wolf whimpered softly, aching to break free from our captors, but I silenced her. Digging my heels into the ground, I resisted their attempts to abduct me. One of the guards smirked, grabbing my bag off the forest floor.  

"I'd rather die than be your mate, you fucking piece of shit," I seethed, the words bursting forth from my lips fueled by raw fury and desperation.

He froze in his tracks, a cruel smirk playing on his lips as he casually glanced over his shoulder, his gaze piercing mine with chilling intensity.

"You're going to wish I had killed you after I'm done," he taunted, his voice laced with dark promise, sending a shiver down my spine.

They dragged me through the thick forest for what felt like an eternity, my body tossed about like a naked ragdoll, battered and bruised by each rough tug. As the sky began to lighten with the approach of daybreak, my limbs grew heavy with exhaustion, every muscle screaming in protest from the relentless ordeal. 

I fought tooth and nail in the beginning -- twisting, screaming, biting, even attempting to shift into my wolf form. But it was all futile, each attempt met with a violent retaliation from Erik's men, their grip unyielding as they forced me onward through the unforgiving wilderness.

I couldn't help but think of my parents, their faces etched with panic and despair as I was torn away from them. The memory of their anguish fueled my determination to escape, to defy the cruel fate that awaited me at the hands of my captors. Perhaps, I thought grimly, it would be better to meet them sooner rather than later.

It's always worse when you go to the secondary location, I thought bitterly to myself. I'll be damned if I don't go down fighting.

Summoning every ounce of strength left within me, I called upon my wolf, urging her to emerge despite the overwhelming fatigue that weighed us both down. Slowly, hesitantly, she rose to the surface, her presence a flickering flame amidst the darkness of our despair. As our transformation began, my senses sharpened to a razor's edge, the world around me pulsing with vivid intensity.

Locking eyes with Erik's imposing figure ahead, I couldn't help but admire the dangerous beauty he exuded, a lethal grace that sent shivers down my spine. But beneath his stoic exterior, I sensed a weariness, a weariness that mirrored my own, a silent acknowledgment of the scars life had left upon us both. I knew I was no match for him in a fair fight, but I refused to surrender to the role of his helpless victim. 

Mark him, my wolf uttered, if we die, he will feel it.

It could work, but if I lived through it, the consequences were worse: The bond strengthens. But were those consequences worse than death? I pursued my lips at the insane thought. I'm going to die anyway, fuck it.

I watched him with a mix of fear and fascination, like a predator sizing up its prey, but this man was no ordinary prey. He was the apex predator, the kind that ruled without question, and his gaze held a deadly weight that made my heart race with apprehension. Despite the danger he posed, there was something strangely alluring about him, a magnetic pull that drew me in despite my better judgment.