Page 61 of Their Pretty Little Monster

Something suddenly whips through the air. The rush of it is so close that the heat of its passage brushes my cheek.

I recoil in shock, stumbling over a protruding tree root, but I never fall. I twist around to see a dart slammed into the tree behind me.

“What the hell…”

Panic claws at my insides, urging me to move faster. Without thinking, I sprint into the dense part of the woods where the trees grow close together, their branches weaving into a thick canopy overhead that blocks out most of the light. Underbrush and more roots cover the forest floor, making every step risky.

I dodge between the trees, my breath ragged, heart pounding. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig underfoot spikes my anxiety—am I still being followed?

Glancing back, I find nothing but the green and shadow of the forest. Could I have lost them? The thought barely registers before I spot a thick cluster of bushes with a dark, inviting gap beneath them. It’s not much, but it’s enough to conceal myself.

I push my legs harder, gasping for breath, the fear like ice in my veins as I sprint in that direction. The underbrush grabs at my ankles, trying to slow me down, but desperation gives me speed.

A whizzing sound zips right past me, the whack of a dart in the tree right in front of me, inches from hitting me. I whimper, pivoting away from the shrubs, staring over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of my pursuer, but the forest is too thick. How are they seeing me?

In an instant, I collide with someone. And I’m screaming, throwing punches in a desperate attempt to escape.

“Sage, it’s me… it’s all right. You’re safe.”

I glance up and see the most beautiful man—Wolfe. Around him, a trickle of pink dust floats in the air. It tastes almost like fresh rain, just like the first time I was in the woods with Killian.

My head swims, my heart thundering for a very different reason now.

He tilts his head, squinting at the tree behind me.

“What is that!” He leads me to the tree, inspects the weapon, then sniffs it. “Poison. What the fuck!”

“Someone’s trying to kill me!” I’m quivering. “And that just missed me.” I shake my head, trying to clear the lightheadedness.

Wolfe drags me into his arms, his protectiveness surprising me.

“No one’s going to lay a finger on you. I’ll destroy them,” he promises, glancing around, then looking up at the heavier fall of pink mist being shot out across the forest. “Who turned on the Veil Ritual machine?”

It had to be me when I tripped over all those boxes and cords. Those fuzzy thoughts I experienced at the last Veil Ritual wash over me, along with that deep heat in my body. Fear rises because the last time I felt that way… I gasp at the things I did with Killian.

Wolfe’s suddenly staring at me like I’m his meal.

A snap of twigs breaks the silence, slicing through the thick desire building between us.

“Stay low and hide,” he commands, his voice urgent. “I’m going to get this fucker.”

“No, don’t go,” I whisper, dread seizing me. But he’s already sprinting into the woods, swallowed by the shadows. I huddle by an overgrown bush, trying to make myself as small as possible, feeling so vulnerable.

Bang.

I flinch at the front door shutting loudly.

Wait, did Wolfe leave me here? He wouldn’t, would he? Trembling, I wait, ears straining for any sound.

Footsteps echo closer.

I hide lower behind an overgrown shrub, my pulse raging in my veins.

“You can come out now,” Wolfe’s voice calls, deeper and huskier than before. I peer out, seeing him standing a few trees away, glancing around, even looking right at me but not seeming to notice me.

I’m too busy staring at him in his monster form.

Glowing eyes are more pronounced now, his hair wild and dark as night, horns curling out from his head, skin tanned. He’s wearing nothing, just him, all those muscles, fingers tipped with black claws, and a massive cock.

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