Page 16 of The Blood Moon Hunt

The two other men glance at him, but it’s clear that they aren’t in agreement.

“Rushing in won’t get us answers,” the second man says, his voice steady. “We need to understand what she is first.”

The third man snarls, stepping closer, his eyes burning with something primal. “We already know what she is. Powerful. Unclaimed. And ripe for the taking.”

He stalks toward me, and I feel the weight of his gaze like a physical force, pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. His hand twitches at his side, and I can see the hunger in his eyes—the need toconsumeme.

My body tenses, every instinct screaming for me to run, but I can’t. Not with him this close. My skin burns with the intensity of his presence, and I can feel my power rising again, threatening to break free.

The first man steps between us, holding up a hand. “Not yet, Ronan. She’s different. We can’t act without knowing the full extent of what we’re dealing with.”

Ronan growls, his eyes flashing with anger. “I don’t care what she is. She’s ours to claim, and I say we do it now.”

I glance at the second man, his eyes locked on mewith an intensity that makes my skin burn. There’s something about the way they look at me, something that makes my body heat up in ways I don’t understand. Desire and fear mix in my veins, making me dizzy.

“You should give up,” the second man says, his voice softer now, almost... gentle. “There’s no escaping us. Not once the Hunt has started.”

I shake my head, trying to push the rising tide of panic down. “No. I won’t let you.”

But before I can take another step, the first man moves. So fast I barely see him. His hand snaps out, grabbing my wrist, and for a moment, the world tilts.

Everything shifts, the air around us vibrating with the intensity of the power surging through me, and Ipush. A wave of energy bursts out from me, throwing him back with a force I didn’t know I had.

The second man looks startled, but not afraid. His lips curl into a smile.

“Well, well,” he murmurs, stepping closer. “There’s that power again.”

I stumble back, my heart racing, my body shaking with the force of what just happened. But before I can run, before I can think, he’s there. Right in front of me, his fingers brushing my chin as he tilts my head up, forcing me to look into his eyes.

“Don’t fight it,” he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. “You can’t outrun what you are.”

A surge of heat blooms in my chest, and for a splitsecond, I feel myself slipping. My vision blurs, and all I can feel is the pull—toward him, toward them. Toward the power that’s calling to me.

But I can’t let it win.

With a cry, I rip my wrist free and dart into the forest, the sound of their laughter echoing behind me as I run.

Again.

Chapter

Eleven

DAMIEN

From the shadows, I watch her.

Selene is surrounded now—Adrian, Lucien, and Ronan closing in on her like wolves circling prey. My pulse quickens as I see the wild desperation in her eyes, the way her chest heaves with panic and confusion. But it’s Ronan’s aggression that twists a knot of anger deep in my gut. I know his type, always reckless, always hungry for the kill, and with Selene… the desire to claim her is pouring off of him like heat.

I should intervene. I’m supposed to be the facilitator, the neutral party ensuring that the Hunt follows the rules. But watching her, something else stirs in me. Something dangerous.

I should stop Ronan.

And yet, I don’t move.

You’re just a spectator, Damien. Let it play out.

Ronan snarls, pushing his way forward, his tone dripping with impatience. “What are we waiting for? Let’s take her now. Whoever’s strongest can have her soul.”

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