Her Beast

Chapter 20: Deceived

Jaxson couldn't break the pull he felt to Zoey. It was like nothing he had ever felt. He could feel the beast inside him clawing to break free from the prison within him. To finally claim her as his.

The thought instantly broke him from the trance. Their lips were inches from touching when he unexpectedly pulled away.

••••

Zoey blinked rapidly. Her eyebrows fused as she stared at Jaxson. He had ripped himself from her as if her thoughts had burned him.

A harsh feeling erupted from her chest. Her ears and cheeks burned as she pulled herself from the ground. Her feelings confused her. She tried to convince herself she was glad Jaxson had pulled away.

"We have to get going. The sun will rise soon." He spoke quietly, his back now turned to her.

Zoey nodded, unsure what to say.

They trekked a long way up to the cliff to retrieve their clothing. Zoey glared at Jaxson's back. Angry that he wasn't saying a word to her.

Zoey picked up her red shirt throwing it over her wet sports bra. She shivered as the cold night air bit at her damp skin.

Jaxson went to pull on his shirt but stopped. Something didn't feel right. Zoey furrowed her eyebrows as Jaxson stood tall and faced the trees. He examined the trees looking for any sign of movement or sound.

Zoey jumped as he suddenly turned around and grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the cliff.

"Jaxson, what's wrong?"

"It's those beasts that chased us. They must have followed the river. I'm sorry, Zoey, I should have never taken you out of the village."

A cold chill ran up Zoey's spine.

"Jump on my back. We will be faster that way."

Zoey nodded frantically and climbed into his back. Jaxson sped off through the trees. Her face burned as the icy air slapped against it. She opened her eyes and gasped as the trees blurred from the speed they were moving.

Zoey grabbed into Jaxson tighter as howls rang through the autumn forest. He held on to her thighs and pushed himself faster. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if something happened to her because of him.

A flash of movement startled him, but he was able to jump out of the way of a falling tree. A body slammed against him at the distraction, causing him to lose his balance. The two tumbled on the ground and landed in an aching mess.

Zoey shrieked as hands grabbed ahold of her arms and yanked her from the ground. Jaxson sprang from the ground, immediately ready to attack, but he paused. His eyes widened in shock.

A group of men surrounded them. Each one having a black mask covering half their face.

Zoey flinched as a cold metal pressed against her temple.

"Move, and she dies."

Jaxson paused, but his muscles tensed with a fiery rage. Veins popped from within, and blood dripped from his clenched fist.

"That's a good boy. Grab him."

Jaxson snarled at the comment and yanked his arms from the men. The man pushed the gun harder against Zoey's temple.

"She will die if you continue to fight."

A grumble sounded from Jaxson's chest, but he did not move. The man with the gun let go of Zoey but still pointed the gun at her head. All lights went out as they tied a blindfold around her eyes.