Page 7 of Caught

Silas’ fury flickered, softened into something warmer, deeper.

His mate.

Not because of scent alone, not because of the pull in his blood. But because of what sung in the man's scent. Because of the man’s heart. Because of the way he had stopped when no one else would.

A slow, dangerous smile curved Silas’ lips.

This human was worthy.

The urge hit him like a drug.Mine.

It was like the world had bent to bring him here, to Silas. Nothing else mattered. Not anymore.

Not even the fact that the human had no idea what he'd done to Silas.

The human moved through the underbrush with a fluidity that shocked Silas. He wasn’t like the others—the volunteers who stumbled, tripping over roots, too scared to run steady. This one? He moved like he owned the forest, like it bent to his will.

Silas' chest tightened. Admiration twisted into something darker, deeper.

The human didn’t hear him until it was too late.

He whipped around, green eyes wide with raw terror, locking onto Silas’ burning gaze—but it was over before the human knew it had begun.

The world narrowed to the space between them, that instant of connection: the crackle of electricity that jumped between their gazes, an unspoken understanding.

There was no denying it. This man knew what Silas was, and he feared him. And yet... something else flickered in those wide, startled eyes.

With a growl, Silas closed the distance. They collided, bodies crashing together in the dirt with enough force to rattle the trees. The human gasped beneath him, the scent of his fear—a mix of sweat, adrenaline, and that wild, intoxicating sweetness—flooding Silas' senses, making his cock throb with need. His hands slid across the human’s chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt like he couldn’t get close enough.

The human’s heart raced beneath him, so fast, so frantic.

Good.

They rolled, tangled in the leaves, the wild forest surrounding them both. Silas’ weight pinned him down effortlessly, muscles flexing as he held the human in place, feeling his strength tremble against Silas' own.

Mine.

The thought flashed through his mind, primal and possessive. Every inch of him was screaming it—his wolf’s instincts roaring to claim this human, to mark him, to make him his. The urge was overwhelming, and there was no room for doubt now.

Finally mine.

Chapter four

Evan

Evan never saw it coming.

One second, he was running—pushing himself harder than he ever had, his body screaming for mercy—and the next, he was slammed to the forest floor with enough force to knock the wind from his lungs.

The impact rattled his bones, and a cry tore from his throat as pain flared in his chest. His muscles burned, the fire of exhaustion licking at his insides, but it didn’t matter.

It was too late.

He couldn’t breathe. Couldn't think. The weight of the creature pressing him into the damp earth was crushing. Clawed hands wrapped around his wrists, unyielding, impossibly strong, and Evan’s body jerked, straining against the grip, but it was like trying to fight against steel.

His heart pounded in his chest, a frantic rhythm that matched the racing thoughts in his mind.No. No, no, no... this can’t be happening.

He had volunteered for this, hadn’t he? To save Lila. To give himself up to this wild thing, to this hunt. But now, with the reality of it pressing down on him, the crushing fear—dread—swept through him like a cold wave. He was at the mercy of something far beyond his control.

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