The scattered territory was not a place for the careless. Only a fool would wander here without a solid plan or trusted allies.
Selena crouched in the shadows of the trees, her gaze locked on two werewolves entwined in the throes of passion. The female howled beneath the male as they mated, their cries piercing the stillness of the forest.
Not exactly the spectacle she had hoped for on her hunt, but this was rogue wolf territory. If she could eliminate them, the scarce werewolves would be weakened enough to flee these woods entirely.
Selena waited, giving the pair their moment of primal intensity. Interrupting now felt... uncivilized.
Then, with a sharp whoosh, an arrow flew past her, piercing the male's heart and driving through to the female beneath him. Both crumpled, lifeless.
Selena's breath hitched.
"Having fun watching werewolf porn?" Lady Kings' voice cut through the night as she leaped gracefully from tree to tree.
Selena glared, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Having fun screwing your bodyguard?"
Lady Kings grinned wickedly. "What, because you've never been laid, you must be sad, Selena?"
Selena flushed, her retort quick and biting. "Like I wish I was men's toiletry."
Lady Kings' glare darkened, but Selena smirked as they both moved, swinging effortlessly through the trees.
"Don't slow me down or get in my way," Lady Kings warned, her tone icy.
Selena scoffed, diving ahead. "Like I've got two left feet."
She quieted as the familiar pull of her prey grew stronger. But there was something else—a darker presence.
Vampires.
For the love of God.
She sighed, landing softly on the forest floor near the bodies of the would-be alpha rogues. Blood pooled around them, their deaths fresh.
But it wasn't vampires she saw.
The forest came alive as scarce wolves emerged from the shadows, surrounding her.
A trap.
The rogue alpha, previously thought dead, rose to his feet, his fur bristling. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the werewolf huntress," he sneered.
"Her skin looks soft," one of the pack snarled.
"Shall we eat her, Alpha?" a scrawny wolf asked eagerly.
"Of course," the rogue growled, his voice rising. "Tonight, under the full moon, we feast on her flesh and boast of defeating the werewolf huntress! Then we will crush the four clans, fulfill the prophecy, and revive our lineage with a new Luna!"
The wolves howled in unison, their cries echoing through the forest.
Selena slipped a smoke bomb from her satchel, releasing a thick, noxious cloud laced with silver nitrate. Chaos erupted as the wolves choked and staggered.
In the smoke, her blade sang. Each strike was precise, each movement deadly. She severed limbs and pierced hearts, leaving no room for error.
When the smoke cleared, she stood amidst the carnage, blood staining her face and hands. Only the rogue alpha remained, glaring at her with feral intensity.
She wiped her blade clean, meeting his gaze. "I'll fight you with honor. You are the leader, yes? The alpha?"
The rogue growled, his yellow eyes narrowing as he charged.
Before she could strike, a silver bullet tore through the air, hitting its mark. Blood sprayed across Selena's face.
Lady Kings' voice rang out, triumphant. "You snooze, you lose, Selena."
Selena turned as Lady Kings landed beside her, slinging the rogue's body over her shoulder with ease.
"It's over. Victory is ours!" Lady Kings proclaimed. The cheers of Selena's men filled the night, mingling with the scent of smoke.
Selena started to follow them but paused. A faint sound caught her attention—a whimper.
She turned toward the noise, following the blood trail to a darkened hut. Inside, bound in ropes, was a young man—or rather, a werewolf in human form.
He was unlike anything she had seen before. His red hair cascaded in long waves, his green eyes gleaming with hatred. Gold markings adorned his body, and his fangs glinted menacingly.
Selena's breath hitched. He was... beautiful. Naked, but beautiful.
She quickly averted her gaze, tossing him her coat. "Cover yourself," she muttered.
The werewolf draped the coat over himself, barely bothering to conceal anything beyond his manhood.
"Why are you here?" Selena asked, peering at him over her shoulder.
His voice was low and bitter. "The same reason you're here. Only I didn't succeed." He chuckled darkly. "A failure of an alpha."
Selena kept her gaze steady. "What are you waiting for, hunter?" he asked, his tone daring.
She stiffened. He knew what she was.
"Kill me," he whispered. "Don't pity me."
Selena straightened. "I don't pity you. You look pathetic. I don't kill pathetic alphas."
He lifted his gaze to hers, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "This is the only time you'll have this opportunity. The next time we meet, you'll be beneath me." His voice hardened. "And I'll kill you without hesitation."
Selena nodded, her grip tightening on her blade. "Good. Then I'll consider you worthy of my blade."
With a flick of her wrist, she sliced through his bindings.
"That wasn't very wise," he growled, stepping closer. "What makes you think I won't snap your neck right now?"
"You're weak," Selena replied calmly. "You haven't eaten in days."
His lips curled into a snarl. "All the more reason."
She didn't flinch. "Go."
He arched his neck, studying her. "Until next time," he said, brushing a hand toward her hair.
Her blade grazed his finger, drawing blood.
"I don't repeat myself twice," she said darkly.
He smirked, retreating into the night.
Lady Kings' voice startled her. "What's keeping ya?"
Selena turned, feigning nonchalance. "Oh, just observing some things."
Lady Kings narrowed her eyes but said nothing. "Let's go."