Bound by Frost

Chapter 3

"Run, little human, run!" The wolves taunted, breaking the calm of the forest as they chased the small human, filling the air with a mix of howls and snarls. Rylan watched from a tree branch, his eyes keenly following the chase with a mix of amusement and worry. He leaped from branch to branch, his nails digging into the tree's rough surface. His agile body moved effortlessly, keeping just out of sight like a smart predator studying its prey. The surrounding trees seemed to lean in closer, eager spectators of the upcoming hunt.

Rylan's keen eyes followed the small human as she raced through the frost-covered forest, her fiery red hair a wild banner streaming behind her. The rhythmic pounding of her heart echoed through the trees, a war drum calling out to Rylan. The ravenous pack of Bleakfang wolves were in pursuit, their howls echoing through the forest as they closed in on their prey. Rylan knew that if he didn't intervene, the human would surely fall victim to their merciless jaws. The Bleakfangs were notorious for finding pleasure in the thrill of the hunt, and Rylan had allowed them to patrol his territory with this very purpose in mind.

Interesting.

As the pack of wolves closed in on the human, their bloodthirsty howls echoed through the forest. Rylan had been a solitary creature ever since the curse, but there was something about this particular human that caught his attention. The human's long, tangled hair whipped around her face as she desperately tried to outpace her pursuers. The scent of fear and adrenaline filled the air, mingling with the cold snow and frozen evergreens. Rylan's sharp senses picked up on every detail, from the twigs snapping under the weight of the wolves' paws to the rush of blood coursing through the human's veins.

Despite his initial desire to watch for entertainment, Rylan found himself drawn towards the unfolding scene. There was an intensity and danger present that he couldn't resist. As he drew closer, he could hear the panicked breaths and racing heartbeats of both predator and prey.

The human's fear radiated off of her like a tangible force, illuminating the dark woods with its intensity. Rylan couldn't ignore the primal urge to protect her, even though he did not understand why. It was as if some invisible thread had connected them.

What is this that pulls me to you, little human?

The cold, unforgiving ground was littered with treacherous roots that lay hidden beneath a layer of frost. As fate would have it, the small human stumbled over one of them, her body pitching forward in a wild, uncontrolled stumble. In an instant, Rylan let out a fierce growl that echoed through the forest like a booming thunderstorm. It was a sound that held ancient power within its depths, a reminder of the fae world from which Rylan came.

Shit. Why did I do that?

The Bleakfang wolves came to an abrupt halt, their wild eyes darting around as they listened intently. Their pointed ears swiveled towards the source of a deep, commanding voice - that of a higher predator. The pack knew this voice well. In the face of such power, their chase faltered as they exchanged wary glances, sensing the unspoken claim of ownership that Rylan placed on the fleeing human. It was as if the very air itself had shifted, acknowledging the presence of a dominant force among them. The wolves' tense muscles relaxed slightly, their instinctual fear and respect for a fae overriding their primal desire to hunt and kill.

Rylan remained hidden and glided behind the human, his lithe body moving effortlessly through the dense trees and underbrush. He marveled at her endurance, impressed by how far and how long she had run. As the first rays of dawn began to paint the frozen landscape with hues of pale gold and rose, Rylan felt the curse slowly shifting. His shadowy figure transformed into that of a tall fae male. The light seemed to dance around him, illuminating his chiseled features and vibrant green eyes.