Luna Everleigh's POV
***
I couldn't move.
The silver-eyed stranger stood over the lifeless beast, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. Even in the dim light, I could see the raw power coiled within his frame, his presence commanding, almost overwhelming.
He turned to me.
Something flickered in his gaze—something unreadable.
Then he took a step forward.
I stumbled back instinctively, my pulse hammering.
A low, amused sound rumbled from his chest, though there was no real humor in it.
"You're bleeding," he said, his voice deep, edged with something primal.
I swallowed hard. My arm throbbed where the creature had slashed me, warm blood seeping through the torn fabric of my sleeve.
I should have been grateful. He had saved my life.
But my instincts screamed at me that he was just as dangerous.
Maybe more.
"Who are you?" I managed, my voice hoarse.
He tilted his head slightly, studying me. Then, as if he hadn't heard my question, he took another slow step closer.
I didn't dare move this time.
"You shouldn't be here," he murmured, almost to himself. "It's not safe."
A bitter laugh threatened to spill from my lips. Now he was telling me?
"Yeah, I figured that out when something tried to eat me."
His lips twitched, but the smirk never fully formed. "You shouldn't be out here alone."
Anger sparked through my fear. "I don't exactly have anywhere else to go."
His expression darkened at that.
Silence stretched between us, thick with something unspoken.
Then, with a sigh, he moved—too fast.
Before I could react, he was right in front of me.
I barely had time to flinch before he reached out, his fingers wrapping gently around my wrist. A jolt of heat shot through my skin at the contact.
His touch was careful but firm, his gaze flicking to my wound.
I expected pain when he peeled the torn fabric away, but instead, warmth radiated from his palm. A strange sensation rippled through me, something deep and instinctual.
He frowned, his silver eyes darkening.
"This isn't good," he murmured.
I swallowed, my throat dry. "It's just a scratch."
His gaze lifted to meet mine, unreadable. "No, it's not."
I barely had time to process the meaning behind his words before he did something unexpected—
He raised my wrist to his lips.
I gasped, instinctively trying to pull away, but his grip tightened just enough to keep me still.
"What are you—?"
Before I could finish, he pressed his mouth against my wound.
A sharp, stinging sensation shot through my veins—followed by a rush of something… else.
Something intoxicating.
I shuddered, my breath catching as warmth spread through my arm, dulling the pain almost instantly.
What was he doing to me?
My heart pounded, confusion warring with something dangerously close to need.
When he finally pulled away, his lips were stained crimson, his silver eyes burning with something raw.
A shiver ran down my spine.
"You—" My voice faltered. "You bit me."
He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his expression unreadable. "I stopped the infection."
I blinked. "Infection?"
His jaw clenched. "That thing wasn't just some wild beast. It was corrupted." His gaze flickered, a shadow passing over his face. "Its bite would have killed you."
My stomach twisted. I had been that close to death?
A shudder ran through me, but before I could dwell on it, he spoke again.
"You need to come with me."
I stiffened. "Excuse me?"
He exhaled sharply, as if trying to be patient. "You can't stay out here. More will come."
My breath hitched.
More?
As if sensing my hesitation, he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't have to trust me." His gaze locked onto mine, unwavering. "But if you want to survive the night, you'll come with me."
I swallowed hard.
Something in my gut told me that going with him would change everything.
But as the wind howled through the trees, carrying with it the distant sound of something moving in the shadows—something hungry—I knew I didn't have a choice.
I took a shaky breath.
And I stepped toward him.
—
To be continued…