The scent of blood hung in the air.
Lara swung her blade, cutting a rogue across the chest. She was breathing hard now and her body was shaking frim exhaustion. Yet she didn't stop.
Even in human form, she fought with the strength of two werewolves. Her sword moved like part of her body, smooth, quick, and deadly.
But more rogues were showing up. Too many and too quickly.
One lunged at her. She ducked. Another charged. She spun as her blade met the rogues flesh. But just as she brought it down, another attacked. Sharp pain tore through her side.
She stumbled and fell to her knees.
Then, a loud roar tore through the forest.
Through her blurred vision, she saw him. His eyes burned bright gold. He looked half-man and half-beast. Sharp claws extended from his hands, and his powerful body was covered in dark fur.
He was terrifying. And yet, impossibly beautiful.
He roared once more, making the rogues freeze in fear.
Earlier that day, in the quiet forest.
Thornak, the Lycan King of Vargorath, was out hunting. His sharp eyes watched the trees above, looking for any movement.
He was a vision of both grace and savagery. His eyes glowed softly, the unmistakable mark of an Alpha King.
Beside him, his younger brother Kael muttered, "You know, this was supposed to be a quick hunt."
"Are you bored already, brother?" Thornak replied.
Suddenly, he stopped.
His golden eyes narrowed as he stared at the thick patch of trees ahead.
Then the scent hit him.
Blood. The sharp metallic smell filled his senses instantly, pulling the beast inside him to attention.
But just as suddenly, he could smell something else. Something electric, wild and familiar, in a way that made his bones ache.
Behind them, Dain, his Beta and oldest friend, crept up silently. "What's that?"
Kael's brow furrowed. "Wolves."
Thornak's chest tightened and a strange feeling rose inside him, something foreign and powerful. His heartbeat quickened, not from fear... but from recognition.
That was when he saw her.
It was a woman and she was wielding a sword like it was an extension of her soul, fighting with a ferocity he'd never seen. and even as her body bled, she didn't fall.
"By the Ancients..." Dain whispered. "Who is that?"
Thornak's heart slammed in his chest.
"Mine," he growled.
His heart was pounding so fast, feeling like fate was roaring through his veins like thunder, staring at the woman the goddess had clearly chosen for him.
Thornak didn't hesitate, he rushed towards her the same moment a rogue lunged at her exposed back.
With a growl that shook the trees, he collided with the rogue mid-air, snapping his bones and sending the creature flying.
He landed in front of her with blood steaming on his claws, his massive form shielding her from the rest.
He turned his head to look at her. Her eyes were wide with shock.
Beautiful and brave he thought
His voice came out as a snarl. "No one touches what's mine."
The remaining rogues froze. They stared at the Lycan King in absolute horror, watching his golden eyes glow in the dark rain.
Two wolves tried to flank him, rushing in from the side. Thornak didn't even turn, he simply swung his heavy arm, his razor-sharp claws ripping through them effortlessly. They collapsed into the mud, lifeless.
Thornak took a menacing step forward and let out a low, guttural growl.
That was all it took. Fear flashed through the rogues' eyes and they quickly turned and disappeared into the dark forest.
Thornak stood quietly, his golden eyes locked on the unconscious woman lying on the floor.
She looked impossibly beautiful, yet fragile. She was covered in bruises and blood, her cloak was torn and her sword still gripped loosely in one hand.
Dain emerged from the treeline, his claws still extended as his sharp eyes scanned the clearing.
"There were over twenty rogues," he said. "That was no random attack."
Then, his gaze landed on Lara's small form.
"Is she human?"
"I don't know," Thornak answered immediately. He knelt beside her brushing her golden hair from her face.
Lara opened her eyes and tried to lift her head, but she found herself staring directly into two golden eyes.
A lycan.
Fear moved through her. Every story she had ever heard about lycans painted them as merciless monsters.
Yet this one had saved her.
"Do not move," Thornak commanded. "You are losing too much blood."
Instinctively, Lara's fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.
Ignoring his words, she forced herself to her feet, using the silver sword as a crutch. A sharp wave of pain shot through her body, nearly bringing her to her knees again, but she forced her jaw tight and ignored it.
"I can handle myself," she said, her voice weak but defiant.
The stubbornness in her tone almost made Kael laugh, despite the gravity of the situation.
Thornak, however, remained completely unmoved. "You're injured."
Lara swallowed hard, staring back at him. She looked scared.
Then, without warning, her knees buckled. She staggered forward and started falling, completely losing consciousness. Thornak moved fast, catching her securely in his arms before she could hit the ground.
"She fought them... in human form," Dain said.
Thornak remained quiet. He looked down at the woman in his arms, his large hand gently brushing her hair away from her face.
Kael crouched down, examining her closely. "She is not a Lycan, is she?"
"I guess we will find out later," he said. "Right now, I'm taking her home."
Dain and Kael exchanged worried looks.
"Whoa, Thornak..." Kael said. "If mother finds out you brought home a girl…"
Thornak's jaw tightened, his grip on Lara becoming fiercely protective.
"She is not just any girl, Kael. She's my mate."
There was a beat of silence as his words dawned on them.
....
Back in the castle, the king's mother, Queen Maravelle was pacing.
Thornak had returned late in the night. And he had not returned alone.
He had carried a girl into the castle, and into his personal chambers.
Now the queen stood in the throne room, thinking deeply.
The throne room was large and cold. Black stone walls rose high into the dark ceiling. Torches burned along the sides, throwing weak light across the room.
At the far end stood the king's throne.
Suddenly the heavy doors opened and the Queen's eyes narrowed, as Thornak strode inside.
Dark blood had stained his hands and sleeves.
"What happened?" she asked.
Thornak did not say anything, he simply walked toward the center of the room, his heavy boots echoing loudly against the stone floors.
"There was a rogue attack near the eastern border," he said calmly.