THE CLAIMING (The Chosen Series #1)

RUN DOE RUN

"Ava, what's happening? Talk to me?" Liam shouts, falling beside me and placing his hand on my back.

The pain radiates through my skull, escalating with each passing second. Liam's voice echoes in the haze, distant yet frantic. I struggle to focus, the darkness closing in, and his words barely register. There's another voice, one I can't decipher, but I can feel the anger.

"Ava, love, it's the bond. He's awake and trying to get to you," Liam's voice penetrates the fog of agony, urging me to lower my defenses. "You need to let down the wall, Ava. He can't feel you, and he is... FUCK!"

Gasping for air, I begin to weaken my mental barriers, unaware of their strength. As the wall lowers slightly, Griffin's wolf, no, his beast's presence floods in, his voice a cacophony of raw intensity. <Mate, need, hunt, kill.>

<Griffin,> I convey through the link, praying it will soothe him. But his voice, transformed and unhinged, signals his descent into darkness. He's slipping away, and I fear I've shattered him completely.

<Mate, you've been bad, need to punish!> His words reverberate, distorted by rage and madness, embodying the ferocity I glimpsed in his memories.

<Griffin, I... I didn't...> I attempt to explain, to apologize, but his fury breaches the bond, crashing against me like a relentless storm.

The ferocity in the beast's voice is chilling, devoid of any semblance of Griffin. His words are a tempest of fury and malice, painting a gruesome picture of his intentions.

<Kill everyone. They call me monster, well, I'm ready to play!> His words echo with seething rage, each syllable laden with vindictiveness.

<Run, little Doe, because when I catch you...> His beast's growl ripples through the bond, a primal threat laced with a horrifying promise.

The ominous tone sends a shiver down my spine, the darkness closing in as I struggle to contain the overwhelming storm brewing within the bond.

<Run, Doe. I'm coming for you!>

"Ava," Liam shouts, his grip firm on my shoulders, attempting to snap me out of my terror as fear shakes through my body. "We can't hold him. His beast is in complete control. He's broken free from his restraints and somehow bypassed the secure door. Ava, he's taken down several of my men already. We can't stop him!" Releasing me and taking my hands in his, Liam pushes me up to stand, pressing a set of keys into my palm. "Take my truck and drive as far away as possible. We'll delay him, but Ava, I'm sorry, lass. He's too strong. His beast, we can't contain him."

"Liam," I sob. Griffin's voice, the Beast's voice, was devoid of any love or warmth, consumed by pain and the trauma of the past ten years. And then the shooting—it's twisted him beyond recognition. He's going to kill me!

"Ava, this wasn't meant to happen like this. We were supposed to buy more time, but he's more powerful than any of us thought. Griffin's lost control, and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants."

Liam cups my face, his expression grave. "And what he wants is you. We'll try to stall him, but you'll have to make a choice."

His words hang heavy in the air. Liam's eyes, filled with a resigned acceptance, turn distant before refocusing, the amber glow intensifying. "Ava, you have to run. He's taken out more of my men. There's no time. You have to go."

Moving toward the door, I turn back to Liam. "Where do I go, Liam?"

"Anywhere. Just get away while you can," Liam pleads, urging me toward the door.