Page 8 of Monster's Hunt

But, if he’d had any ill intentions, he could have taken advantage of me while I slept instead of sharing his shelter and giving up his bed. He could have left me out in the rain, but instead, he’d brought me to his camp to stay dry and warm.

My tangled thoughts were interrupted by a whimper near the back of the cave. Leaning to the side to see around the fire, I spotted what looked like a wolf pup.

I was familiar enough with animals for its gangly legs and fuzzy coat to tell me it hadn’t seen a full rotation of the seasons yet. Dancing along the edge of the cave up to where our dry space gave way to waterlogged undergrowth, it watched the area where the monster had disappeared. It let out an excited yip when the creature came striding back, its little body wiggling in happiness, and I couldn’t help smiling at its antics, though the expression slipped when my gaze met the monster’s.

Nervous, I turned my attention to the forest. Though water still dripped from the canopy, it seemed as though the rain had ended, and the glimpses I caught of the sky beyond showed a hazy, grey sky. The direction of the thin light bleeding through told me I had to have slept through the whole night and it was the dawn of a new day.

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t awakened from the alpha moving me and somehow slept through the rest of the evening and the entire night.

Struggling to my feet, I folded the fur I’d been using as a blanket and laid it atop the others I’d been sleeping on. Keeping my eyes focused on the ground, I cleared my throat and tried to treat the monster as I would anyone who’d helped me.

“Th—thank you for letting me use your bed, and for sharing your camp with me, but I need to be getting back home.”

Sneaking a peek up at his face, I noticed his brows had drawn even lower as he watched me from the opening of the cave. Edging to the side, I pointed out into the forest, as if he couldn’t tell where I was trying to go.

“I’ll be going now. Thanks again.”

I froze when the monster let out a low growl. Eyes flashing up to his, my chest drew tight, and the fear I’d been holding at bay surged up my throat.

The male had spread his legs in a stance that clearly showed he was disagreeing with me and was going to block my escape.

“Omega.”

The word he said may not have been ‘no,’ but the tone was the same. He even shook his head side to side, reinforcing that he didn’t approve of what I was trying to do.

The omega part of me wanted to cave and do anything he wanted, but I ignored it as much as I could. Straightening, I tried to keep my expression from giving away the warring thoughts inside me. Anger built and mingled with the fear, increasing my heartrate and leaving me trembling as I watched the male.

“Why were you in the forest alone?”

My lips parted at the question and I gaped for a moment, debating over whether the truth was better than trying to come up with a lie.

I’d never been a good liar.

“It was my birthday, and I wanted to go for a walk.”

His brow quirked, and for a moment I wasn’t sure he believed me despite it being the truth.

“That doesn’t explain why you were alone. Where is your keeper?”

My cheeks burned at the reminder that omegas were rarely left to themselves. Most believed we needed someone to keep an eye on us at all times, or we’d get up to trouble.

“My family went on a trip. I stayed home. There wasn’t anyone to come with me.”

My mouth ran away before I realized telling this alpha there wasn’t anyone to miss me might be a bad idea. It felt like there was a fist around my chest, squeezing me, but other parts of my body had their own ideas about this situation.

“You live in the human village? The big one by the river?”

I hesitated before slowly dipping my chin. He already knew there wasn’t going to be anyone looking for me, so how much worse could it be if he knew where I lived? It seemed safer to admit I was from Barcole than trying to say there was a house out here somewhere.

“That is a long walk for your little legs. I will take you back to be sure you are safe. An omega shouldn’t be out wandering the woods alone.”

I didn’t like the thought of him taking me back to my aunt’s house, but part of me insisted that he could always follow after I’d left anyway, and I wouldn’t be able to stop him.

And then there was a tiny piece of me that said it was sweet that he was concerned about my safety.

“I don’t really need—”

“I won’t let you go alone.”

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