Lexi

  I’m being followed.

  I glanced over my shoulder, and there they were—three men rounding the same corner I just took. They’re not even trying to be subtle anymore. I first noticed them at the club I had just left their gazes heavy on me, but I shrugged it off. Then I left, hoping it was a coincidence. It wasn’t. Five blocks later, they’re still there, and they’re getting closer, and I began to regret going out at all.

  I took another glance at them and they didn’t look friendly.

  Pretending to check my phone, I glanced at the map, my pulse quickened. My breaths felt loud in the quiet streets. Good thing I didn’t wear heels. I took a deep breath—and then I ran.

  Their laughter echoed behind me almost instantly, a sound that made my skin crawl. They were enjoying it. Men.

  I took another corner and curse under my breath when I hit a dead end, I took a wrong turn. I spun round, panting, as they blocked the only way out.

  “Come on, pretty lady, that’s no way to act,” the man in the middle said, spreading his arms as if to calm me.

  “What do you want?” I asked, trying to buy time. My eyes scanned them. They were huge, unnaturally so, and yet something about them seemed… wrong. Their unkempt clothes didn’t match their otherwise well-groomed appearance.

  “Oh, come on,” the one on the left said as he stepped forward. He grinned, I saw the saliva glinting at the corner of his mouth. “We were just planning to have some fun. Thought you’d like to join.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “And me running away wasn’t clear enough?”

  He laughed and shrugged “Girls like to play hard to get.”

  The one on the right grabbed my shoulder. The stench of alcohol on him made me gag. “Don’t be like that. You’ll enjoy it once we get started.”

  I twisted his arm hard enough to make him scream, then drive my knee into his groin. “The answer is still no, dipshit.”

  He crumpled to the ground, clutching himself, but the one on the left lunged at me with a roar. I sidestepped, swept my leg out, and sent him stumbling. Grabbing his head, I slammed it into the wall. There was a sickening crack sound followed as his nose breaks.

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  Before I could catch my breath, the first guy was already back on his feet. “So you know a couple of tricks,” he sneered. “This is going to be fun.”

  I dodged his punches, waiting for an opening. He was faster now, his swings wild with frustration. Finally, I caught his throat with my palm and drove a knee into his gut. He collapses, gasping, I landed a kick to his head for good measure.

  “Next time don't force women into your fun." I muttered. The third man, who had been watching this whole time, finally moved His vibe completely different—colder, more calculated. He smiles as his claws extended, glowing faintly under the moonlight.

  “Rogues,” I whispered, my heart slowly sinking as I realized that my situation had just become dire.

  The first two men were already healing, their glowing red eyes locked on me. One spat out a tooth and grinned. “You’re feisty. I like that.”

  I was out of options. My body is screaming for rest, fighting with my stamina and stature wasn't easy, but I had no intention on letting them win. Not like this. “You didn’t need an invitation before,” I said, forcing a smirk. “Why wait now?”

  They laughed as they started attacking simultaneously. One leaped high, the other charged low. I managed to dodge a swipe, but claws tore through my shirt, leaving deep gashes in my shoulder. Pain exploded through me, and blood started dripping down my arm.

  “You taste delicious,” one growled, licking his claws.

  I grabbed the one charging me driving my knee into his gut repeatedly before smashing his head into the other’s. Both go down, but I was losing strength fast. My vision blurred as the third man stepped closer.

  “Well, this has been interesting,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. His voice is calm, almost amused.

  I tried to steady myself, but my legs felt weak. My arms is numb, and my breaths came in short gasps.

  He lunged, grabbing my throat before I had time to react. He lifted me off the ground like I weighed nothing. “You put up a good fight,” he said, his smile chilling. “But the hunt is over now.”

  I clawed at his hand, but it’s useless. Darkness crept in. Is this how it ends?

  A new voice cuts through the night, deep and commanding. “Drop her. Now.”

  The man froze. I managed to open my eyes and see him—another figure in the alley, his golden eyes glowing like fire.

  My attacker snarled “And if I don’t?”

  “Then I’ll make you.”

  I felt the ground slam into my back as I was thrown aside like a rag doll. My head spun as my consciousness slipped away, but before everything faded, I saw him—my savior—towering over the rogues.

  “Who do you think you are?” my attacker growled, his bravado faltering when the newcomer stepped closer, the sheer weight of his presence pressing down on everyone in the alley.

  “Someone you’ll regret crossing,” the man said, his voice cold enough to chill the air.

  The rogues hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances. Even in my dazed state, I could tell that they were terrified. But one of them, the leader, snarled and lunged. It was over in a flash. A blur of motion. A sickening crack. When my vision clears, the rogues are on their knees, heads bowed low in submission. The man stands over them, radiating power. “Leave,” he commanded, his golden eyes burning. “Now.”

  They scrambled to obey, their cocky arrogance replaced with pure fear. He turned to me then, and the hostility in his gaze softened. He crouched down, his hand brushing my cheek as he studied me. I’m too weak to move, too dazed to protest.

  “Who are you?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

  He smiles faintly, his golden eyes locking onto mine. “Your mate.”