The Beast And The Blessed

Natalie’s P.O.V.

I had never been so happy and terrified at the same time. The house was empty, and everything was free for the taking as I collected a bag with clothes, money, and food. Every few minutes, I would hear the creak of the house shifting or noise outside, and my heart would stop.

I was waiting for them to come home and find me stealing. Even worse, I was waiting for a Lycan to pop out of the walls and rip my heart from my chest.

They had already made their way onto our land. Even without my wolf present, I could feel them. Their power was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The hairs on my neck and arms were sticking away from my body, and my stomach was rolling with nerves.

I threw my backpack over my shoulder, keeping my bad arm as close to my chest as possible to prevent irritating the damaged appendage further. I had to make it three miles to the border and another six before I reached a human town. Once I was there, I could hop a ride and go anywhere I wanted. I could be free.

The back door squealed as I pushed it open, not bothering to * it behind me as I took off at a run through the trees. The Lycans would only be able to serve as a distraction for so long. Once my parents got home, I had no idea what would be in store for me. Would they come after me for stealing, or would they let me go so they could be free of me?

Either way, I pushed myself harder, wanting to at least make it off their land before they realized I was gone.

I ran out of breath quickly, the throbbing in my arm distracting me as I stumbled over a branch but caught my footing and continued on. The border felt like it was moving farther away the longer I ran, but I couldn’t let myself slow now. I was too close.

A large shadow flashed by my right, hidden in the trees. I gasped, startled as I glanced to the side, not seeing anything there. Yet, the warning in my head was telling me that I was no longer alone. The further I ran, the more I began to notice my companion. The large, hulking form would appear in the corner of my eye and then disappear when I would turn to look.

joined us that sent a shiver all the way down to

Their beast-like appearance made my lungs contract in panic, and I couldn’t take in any more

end would be at the hands of

can stop running now, as entertaining as your attempt was.” A female voice called out before she manifested several steps ahead. Her *eyes bore into my soul, and I slid to a stop. My uneven panting seemed to amuse her as she looked me over. It was unsettling not being able to see what she was looking at as she didn’t have visible irises to give her away, but the way her head moved told me that

surrounding me as if they were about to feast on their prey. Their half-shift state was terrifying to see so

me let out animalistic noises, talking among themselves before one of the monsters on

and while I knew they would just chase me into the unclaimed land, I was determined not to give up. I stared into the beast’s green eyes, seeing the amusement and the challenge in them. He knew I was going to run, but it didn’t stop me from turning on my

backpack hit me upside the head. My arms and legs thrashed as I continued to struggle, willing to do anything to get

took off at a run. The harder I kicked, hit, and struggled to be free, the tighter his hold on

as we broke through the tree line. What had been over twenty minutes of running for me was less

terrified plea came out in a shaky and

surrounding the Lycan holding me. They had never required me to be present

a mate.

I was about to be punished for something that I more than likely didn’t do. My parents wouldn’t have gone back to their home yet, and unless the Lycans wanted to

pack mumbling in irritation and disbelief as I was carried into view before being unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. The involuntary shout of pain from trying

could feel him, the