Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 12261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 61(@200wpm)___ 49(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 61(@200wpm)___ 49(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
I mean, he didn’t really do anything. He’s more of an annoying fly than anything.
The longer I stand there, the more I come to the conclusion that I overreacted. I should have just told him no and demanded to go back to the campsite, instead of running away like a crazy person.
He wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.
Huffing, I turn around and decide to walk back in the direction I came. It’s almost completely dark now, which is not helping at all. Walking with my arms stretched out in front of me, I carefully make my way back through the woods.
I walk for what feels like an hour, and still, there is nothing but trees surrounding me. That’s when I really start to get worried.
The night is growing colder and somehow darker. I look down at my clothing. I’m only wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater. I left my jacket in the car, which is something I’m regretting now.
Fear creeps its way up my spine as I’m faced with the reality of spending the night out here. The cold night air is already clinging to my bones.
Just when I think things couldn’t get any worse, there’s a rustling sound coming from somewhere behind me. I spin around, praying I don’t find a wild animal out here, but all I can see is darkness.
My heart beats furiously against my ribs as I conjure up all kinds of explanations for that sound. A bear, a mountain lion… a serial killer?
Okay, calm down, drama queen.
Holding my breath, I take a few hesitant steps.
When the rustling continues, it seems even closer, only amplifying my fear. My knees knock together, and even though my feet feel as if they’re rooted in the ground, I find the strength to make my body take a few steps backward…
Only there is nothing to step on. Instead of solid ground, I step into air.
Before I can even react to what is happening, I’m falling, tumbling down a slope. My arms flail as I desperately try to latch onto something, anything, but all I come up with is air. I can’t get my bearings. I don’t know if I’m up or down, left or right.
All I know is that I’m falling, a helpless feeling washes over me, and my body twists. A second later, my head crashes into the ground, and I become submerged in icy-cold water.
My lungs seize in my chest. I can’t breathe, can’t see, can’t think.
Panic like I’ve never experienced wraps around my throat like an iron shackle, and before I know it, I’m being dragged into the darkness.
2
Ezra
Pacing in front of the fireplace, I try to calm my bear down, focusing all my attention on the dancing flames. Agitation builds in my veins. I don’t know what the fuck is going on today, but I’m ready for it to be over. My bear has never been restless like this. I already let him out this morning, and all he did was run through the woods, taking a whole lap around the lake.
I don’t get what the problem is, but I need this shit to stop, so I can go back to my normal misery. It’s been ten years since I moved out here to live by myself in Blackclaw Manor. I couldn’t take it anymore. Not after my entire pack found their mates, and everyone was happy and complete… except me.
Normally, we find our mates when we turn eighteen; some wait until their nineteen or twenty. I’ve never heard of anyone not being mated by their mid-twenties, though.
I’m thirty-eight, and I still haven’t found her.
I gave up a long time ago, accepting fate’s cruel hand. I can take the hint; they didn’t want me to find a mate. I even thought about offing myself, cutting this life short since I have nothing to live for anyway. Except, every time I’ve tried, my bear intervened, refusing to let me.
Just thinking about killing myself has him growling in my ear. He rushes forward, pushing against my skin, wanting to take over again. To be set free. You had your turn today. I tell him, pushing him back down. Usually, he’s content with that, but not now.
My body shakes, and my chest rumbles. The urge to go on another run overwhelms me.
The world I live in is very lonely. Shifters are the only supernatural beginning left. There used to be witches as well, but they died out. Mostly since humans hunted them and killed them simply because they were different.
Leaving the fire to burn on its own, I stomp out of the house. Cool fall air washes over my always hot skin as I step outside. Inhaling deeply, I smell it…
The most amazing scent I’ve ever caught. It’s sweet vanilla and wild berries with something so unique, there is no comparison. The scent is overpowering, consuming my every thought. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m running toward it.