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𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧.

CHAPTER VII.
blood-stained snow.

He stopped dead in his tracks. As the bloodied & beaten man beneath him grinned in delight, even with his blood spilling he still managed to be keep that smug look. Damen growled deeply as his eyes seemed to glow. Area's eyes no longer on him, but the area surrounding him. What was he looking at? He kept his constricting grip on him before looking around. Where were the others? His eyes darting around hastily, looking around for a single wolf. Nothing, but footprints in the snow. Staring at the direction they led he realised.

No, no, no, NO! He dug his claws into his neck and watched him cry in pain. Before leaving him in the snow and running as fast as he could. He could kill him another day, another day where he could enjoy seeing the life drain from his eyes. Enjoy the colour draining from his skin.

He looked like a deranged killer, blood dripping from his nails and torso, his eyes glowing like candles as fur began to cover his body once more. Bone snapping in place as the adrenaline kept him running. His canines bared, ready to bite into the necks of those who dared to trick him.

As he growled and howled at the same time, making what seemed like a roar to erupt from his throat. As he continued to feed his ever-growing bloodlust. His instincts reaching their all-time high, the pique of his carnivorous nature, the absolute animalistic craving to hunt.

. . .

He wasn't the only thing running. As he was sprinting through the seemingly never ending woods with the intent to hunt, someone was being hunted. The one he was running back towards, was running further from him. But, what other choice was there to have? You were being chased through the dangerously cold woods by a pack of wild and hungry wolves for god sake! Blood seeping into your clothes and snow as you panted like the wild beasts chasing after you, clutching your side trying to suppress the pain you felt.

You didn't know how you managed to not been caught and mauled by this point, you continued on. Your will to live carries you further through the thick trees. The smell of your blood driving the wolves mad with it's tempting scent, as they drooled over the thought of digging their large canines into some fresh meat.

Once they had their fun toying with their prey, two of the wolves tackled you into the freezing snow that covered the ground. The cold oddly soothing to your open wound, yet absolutely haunting to your mind. Is this what death would feel like?

You put your arms over your face in a weak attempt to protect yourself. As the wolves growled and barked at your pitiful excuse of a shield before biting into your wrist. Another bloodcurdling scream escaped your throat, the shrill sound burning your throat as it echoes through the woods. But, before the wolf's jaw could tear off your hand, it was tackled off of you to the side.

As you and the other wolves looked towards the sudden assailant, some continued to growl and stalk towards you, you quickly looked back towards them. The tempting smell of iron enhancing the hunger they felt. Before they could get too close however, a large figure stood in front of you. shielding you from hungry eyes.

Your breath caught in your throat as you recognised the assailants large stature and brown fur, albeit covered in blood. Crimson painted his brown coat and maw as his once rose hues eyes now glowed a menacing gold. The wolf that had bitten you laid limp on the ground not too far from where you sat. Blood spilling from it's neck like a river.

He growls, crouching down slightly as if daring the others to challenge him after he had killed one of them so quickly. He had every intention to kill them be they try it. The pack stalked towards him, before a howl interrupted the stare off. All ears perking up, heads turned. Before they pranced off as if nothing had happened.

You sighed heavily before clutching your side once again. His head snapped towards you as he continued to growl and bare his teeth. He was terrifying. His fur dyed in blood, eyes glowing as he stalks towards you. You crawled backwards into a tree stump before once again putting your arms out in defence. "B-barry please..."

He stopped. Large eyes staring at you intently. His ears twitch upon hearing the name, backing away slightly from your figure. Shaking his head as though shaking off water from his fur viciously. The canine vigorously shaking and turning away from you.

. . .

The smell of her blood made him feel high and intoxicated. His insatiable bloodlust urged him to take a bite. He couldn't stay like this. His humanity and composure slipping between his fingers. Conflicting thoughts overflowing. He felt your eyes on him as his bones began to snap, fur turning the skin, claws turning to nails and ears and tail disappear. He grunted in pain at the injuries he sustained from fighting the wolf before.

He leans on the cold ground on his hands and knees, panting as beads of sweat drip from his brow. Looking up he sees you sat against the tree stump with an expression mixed with fear, shook and confusion. Unsurprisingly, after seeing such an odd phenomenon with your own two eyes. You were about let out another scream before he covers your mouth with his hand. A bit of blood smearing against your cheek, you looked into his amber eyes that were filled with fear as you began to pushed at his shoulders. Panic beginning to settle as you closed your eyes.

You kept your eyes shut, pushing at the hand that was held over your mouth. "P-promise me you w-won't scream..." His voice was low. And hoarse, as though he hadn't had a drop of water in weeks. And stuttered as though he wasn't used to talking.

Frantically shaking your head yes, fear and confusion still evident in your (E/C) eyes. He took his hand away but didn't step any further away from you. His hot breath fanning your neck. You flinched as his hand went up your arm, not really knowing what to do you stayed still as you shivered from the cold wind.

THE WORSE WAS OVER.

1090 word count.
edited: 28 MAY 2021