Water is close,she tells me. I keep running.
Fear is a luxury. I don't let it creep up because it will swallow me whole.
Too far to drop,she warns. Wherever the river is, there's also a cliff.
I could hear it before, but now I can smell it. Fresh water, with that sharp, metallic tinge. Natural minerals, fish, moss. Branches whack me in the face. My knee is killing me. My feet are torn up.
"Omega!" a deep voice surprises me.
My stomach lurches. I'm so close.
Only one of them has caught up. The older one with the beard. The driver who sped down the road half-shifted.
He still has that feral look in his eyes. "Omega, stop!" He barks at me. Something tugs at me to stop and my feet stumble, but Beep screams,No!and I shake it off, but it steals preciousseconds. We're so close. Some of the wolves that have chased us have this strange power. They can almost command me to obey. Beep calls it barking. She says only the strong ones can do it. I fucking hate it.
I can see the edge now. Oh fuck. It really is a steep drop, judging by the bank opposite the river. I don't stop, but I slow as I approach. I know I'm going to jump. Will he follow?
By the sound of it, yes. He will.
I need a plan.
He beats me to the edge, and while I try to dodge around him, he lunges, arms around my waist, nailing us both into the hard ground.
I scramble beneath him, but he buries his face in my neck, just like that nameless wolf from New Year's Eve, like he's inhaling not just my scent but my soul. Pupils blown, his hands paw at me, frantic and out-of-control.
"Get the fuck off me!" I screech.
"Omega, stop fighting this! I'll take care of you. My pack will take care of you. You're so exquisite. God, you smell so good. So fucking good. You're mine, omega.Mine!" His voice lowers, and he buries his face again, moaning loudly. I can feel his wet, sticky breath, like he's trying to taste me.
Teeth scrape at my neck.
I'm trying so hard to focus, but I'm terrified.
One chance,Beep says.
One chance what? I keep fighting, trying to push him off me. I feel his hardness press into my hip while I struggle for control.
Stop thinking like a human. Wolf now. One chance. You have strength. Not human.Her words sputter out faster than ever, in a rush to make me react, to understand.
And I do.
I'm not fucking human. And I'm not sick anymore. I'm not weak, not like I used to be.
And I'm not alone anymore, either.
"I'm never giving you to that old witch," he rasps, pawing at me, hands shaking as he takes me in. "I promise I'll be good to you. You'remine, omega!"
I stop fighting, swallowing down the bile rising up my throat as he frantically rubs his pelvis against me. He holds me still with one hand, and I let him think that's all the strength he needs to keep me in place, while he urgently fumbles with his zipper. I don't fight back, not yet, though it takes everything inside me to remain still.
He's not paying any attention to me. He's lost in his head. His eyes are wild.
I let Beep come forward. We can't shift fast, but we've learned a few tricks. My mouth elongates, teeth growing longer and sharper, punching through my gums. My fingers transform into claws. The wolf pinning me doesn't notice until it's too late—in a coordinated effort, with all my fucking strength, my jaw locks onto his throat. At the same time, my clawed fingers rip through his abdomen. I aim for his dick, but find something better—his soft intestines spill out, hot and slick, weighing against my belly.
His carotid artery ruptures between my teeth, blood gushing into my mouth, spraying my face and neck. I barely register the copper taste. He howls in surprise, but it quickly dies as I rip my head back, yanking my teeth from his neck, cutting off his larynx.
He thought I was prey. He underestimated me.
Scrambling to his feet, he sways in place, guts spilling through the massive slice above his undone belt buckle.
