Page 43 of My Fated Mate

But the forest, once familiar and comforting, now appears alien and hostile. Every towering tree, every tangled undergrowth, looks identical.

Panic starts to claw at my throat.

Stumbling, I force myself to move. Fatigue weighs down my limbs, threatening to pull me under.

Just when I’m about to collapse, a guttural growl shatters the stillness of the night. My breath hitches, and I freeze, every instinct screaming at me to run. But my legs, already jelly, refuse to obey.

Slowly, I turn, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. Two glowing embers pierce the darkness, materializing into a pair of menacing eyes.

A low growl rumbles from the creature’s throat, a sound that sends shivers down my spine. It’s a lion shifter, its massive form barely visible in the faint moonlight.

Terror floods my veins, paralyzing me.

I know the legends of these solitary hunters, their ferocious strength, and their insatiable appetites.

My mind races, searching for an escape, but there’s nowhere to run.

The lion lets out a deafening roar, the sound echoing through the trees. It takes a menacing step forward, the earth trembling beneath its weight.

My scream dies in my throat—a strangled gasp lost in the oppressive silence of the night.

Just as the lion lunges, a flash of movement catches my eye.

A blur of dark fur explodes from the undergrowth, slamming into the lion with enough force to send it sprawling. A massive wolf, larger than any I've ever seen, stands between me and the predator, its fangs bared in a snarl.

The lion, enraged by the sudden attack, fights with frantic aggression.

But the wolf is a force of nature, its movements powerful and precise. It dodges the lion’s swipes with a dancer’s grace, returning each blow with bone-crushing force.

I watch, mesmerized by the brutal ballet unfolding before me. Despite my fear, a sliver of hope flickers within me.

Maybe this wolf is my savior.

The fight doesn't last long.

With a final, bone-chilling snarl, the wolf delivers a devastating blow, sending the lion crashing to the ground with a sickening thud. It lets out a whimper, its fiery eyes dimming as life slowly drains from its body.

The wolf stands over its fallen prey for a moment, panting heavily. Then, its gaze turns towards me. My breath catches in my throat as those icy blue eyes meet mine.

Fear threatens to consume me again, but before I can react, the wolf lets out a low, mournful whine.

It takes a hesitant step towards me, its head lowered in a submissive gesture. The moonlight glints off its sleek fur, revealing a coat of the deepest black, almost shimmering with an otherworldly sheen.

Despite its intimidating size, its eyes no longer hold the same ferocity as before. Instead, they seem filled with a curious concern.

Hesitantly, I reach out a hand, offering it a tentative greeting. The wolf watches my hand for a long moment, then nudges it gently with its wet nose. Relief washes over me, so intense it almost brings tears to my eyes.

The wolf nudges my hand again, its touch surprisingly gentle for such a powerful creature.

A whimper escapes its throat, a sound that seems nearly apologetic. Maybe it sensed my despair, the raw vulnerability I radiated after Thorne's rejection.

As a sliver of hope blooms in my chest, a horrifying sound shatters the fragile peace. A guttural growl rips through the air, followed by a sickening thud.

My blood runs cold as I whip my head around.

Oh, Goddess!

The lion!

---