Page 3 of The Deceived

Pausing at the edge, I look up and downstream, searching for a way to cross or go around it and find nothing. Shit, I may have to jump it. I need to get to the forest on the other side because I am too exposed here.

Too vulnerable.

My mind made up, I take a few steps back to get a running start. Only, I freeze where I stand once I look out across the stream and realize I am not alone.

“Fuck.” The whispered word forms a puff of fog in the chilly night air.

A large figure dressed in dark clothes emerges from the forest, looming before me. My breath catches in my lungs as he stops on the other side of the stream. Mere feet separate us. I never even heard his approach and that tells me I won’t easily shake this Hunter.

We’re both frozen in the moment, standing stock still as we take each other in. I can’t make out his features from here, but he is enormous—tall, broad, and imposing.

He steps back, and I don’t wait to watch him jump the stream. I hike my skirt up and turn to run.

CHAPTER2

REX

Iemerge from the forest, stopping in my tracks, my breath catching in my chest. Just on the other side of this stream, I see her.

My Prey.

She’s stunning, a vision. Her long, white hair blowing in the breeze. She’s otherworldly, practically glowing in the light of the moon, and I blink to make sure she’s real.

A sense of possession overwhelms me, and I don’t know if that’s because of this game we now play or if it’s merely the sight of this moonlight goddess before me.

Possibly both.

Mine.The word comes to me from deep within. A driving force that propels me into action. I won’t lose her to another.Deans don’t fucking lose.No fucking way. That thought alone, of someone else winning, has me taking a step back.

She anticipates my next move as she gathers her dress while simultaneously turning to race back up the hill and into the forest in an effort to escape.

Not a chance, sweetheart.

I leap the wide creek bed in one stride and land in a crouch, looking up in time to see the woman about to crest the top of the hill. She’s faster than I anticipated she would be, especially in that huge dress.

I’m up and running, arms pumping, legs pushing as I climb the hill at a full sprint. My boots dig into the terrain as I propel myself up to the top and look around, but she’s already disappeared into the forest.

Where are you?

I pause and listen. Only stillness greets me as I scan the forest. Then I hear a twig snap in the distance, and I’m on the move. Just ahead, I catch a glimpse of white fabric darting through the trees. I pick up my pace, ducking, and pushing low-hanging limbs out of my way as I give chase.

A noise to my right catches my attention, and as I glance in that direction, I see another dark figure headed toward my damn prize. I change course and head straight toward him.

Nuh-uh, motherfucker.

I rush the figure at full speed, taking him by surprise. His grunt rolls off my back as I lower my shoulder and hit him in the gut. My arms sweep around his legs, and I slam him down onto the ground with a brutal force.

All those years spent on the football field are finally paying real-life dividends. I chuckle at the thought. If onlyDuke Cavanaugh, my best friend and business associate for the better part of two decades, could see me now.

“Fuck!” the other man shouts as his back meets the cold ground.

I’m already moving up to my knees, hovering over his sprawled form. I punch him right in the nose before I connect three more successive blows, and I only stop because his head rolls to the side. Out cold.

Goodnight, motherfucker.

Shoving myself up off his body, I hop back to my feet, shake out my fist, and I’m on the move again. I have no idea where she’s gone since my little detour, but I scan the forest as I go.

“Where are you, whore?” Another voice calls for her in the distance, and I stop at the sound not far from where I stand.

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