The Masked Man

Natalie~

My breath burned in my chest as I ran through the dark street. The echoes of Timothy's mocking laughter rose in my ears. The cold night air spread through my thin dress, but the fear running through my veins drowned out everything else. My heart pounded, fighting for survival as his voice called out behind me, taunting and wicked.

"Where are you going wolfless?" Timothy's voice ranked out in the air, Sharp and scary; his footsteps echoed like a horror movie come to life; it was deliberate and unhurried, as though he was toying with me.

"You know you can't run forever Natalie!"

I swallowed back a sob, panic rising steadily in my chest, my surroundings blurred, and the dark alley twisted into shadows that seemed to reach out for me. Fear made my movement a clumsy mess, but I couldn't stop running, not now, not when Timothy was catching up so quickly.

Timothy laughed again, the sound sending chills down my spine. "You're making this too easy, Natalie!" he called out to me. Do you even know where you are going or are you just running blind?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't answer. My throat was dry, my lips were trembling as terror gripped every part of my body. Timothy's laughter wasn't human, it was the sound of a predator enjoying the chase.

Suddenly, I turned into a corner too sharply, my shoulder scraping against the rough brick wall as pain shot through me, but I pressed on, ignoring the sting. The alley began to narrow, the walls closing in on me like a vice and my vision began to blur with tears as I quickly realized my mistake.

I had run into a wall.

"No," I whispered, my voice barely audible over my ragged breathing as I spun around, desperation surging through me, but it was too late now. Timothy was standing there blocking the only way out. His grin stretched wide predatory and scary as he stepped closer.

"Natalie," he called out with a sickening sweet voice, shaking his head as if scolding a wayward child. "Running from me? You're breaking my heart, sweetheart."

I backed away from him, my trembling legs barely holding me up. Each step I took brought me closer to the cold hard wall behind me. My breath hitched when my back hit the hard bricks, leaving me nowhere to run to.

Timothy sauntered forward; his steps were slow and deliberate; the air around him seemed to darken, suffocating, and oppressive as he walked closer. He stopped just a few inches away, his towering frame casting a long shadow over my small body.

"Why so scared, love?" he murmured, his voice was low and mocking. He raised his hand and I flinched. But instead of striking me, his rough fingers brushed against my cheeks, "you're trembling dear," he said, his tone almost gentle though his smirk betrayed the cruelty behind his mask.

I turned my face away from him but he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes were gleaming with something dark and possessive as he slowly dripped his head, his nose brushing against the curve of my neck as he inhaled me deeply.

I froze, paralyzed by fear. My mind kept screaming at me to push him away, to fight, but my body refused to move.

"You smell as good as I remember, wolfless," he whispered in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. "I would have loved to keep you for myself, but..." He chuckled darkly, Alpha Darius was faster.

My stomach churned at the mention of that man's name.

Timothy leaned back, his gaze was piercing as he continued. "He regrets banishing you, you know. He sent his best trackers and enforcers to find you. They are out there as we speak scouring the cities looking for you.

My heart sank.

"But, not me," he added, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "I'm here on another park business. Still, imagine my delight at stumbling upon you. Delivering you back to Alpha Darius? That's a reward I can't pass up."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "You can't—"

Before I could finish my sentence, he grabbed my arm; his grip was like iron.

"Oh, I can, and I will," he said, his voice laced with menace.

I screamed, my voice raw with desperation, but he covered my mouth with his hand before I could attract any attention.

"None of that now," he scolded, effortlessly lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing as he slung me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

I kicked and struggled, my fist pounding against his back but it was all useless. Panic engulfed my body, and I thought this was the end for me. But then a figure appeared at the mouth of the alley.

He was tall, covered entirely in black clothes; his face was obscured by a mask, and even in the dim light of the alley, his presence was commanding. His silhouette exuded power.

"Let her go," the man said; his voice was so deep and steady that it cut through the darkness like lightning.

Timothy froze, his body tensing as he turned to face the stranger. "Move," he snared, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Unless you want to die tonight."

The man didn't respond, he stood tall and motionless, his imposing figure unmovable.

Timothy growled low and dangerous as his grip on me tightened. "Last chance," he warned.

Still, the man said nothing. Instead, the man took a step forward.

Timothy growled again louder this time and then set me down roughly on the ground. "Stay put," he snapped at me before he shifted into his wolf form.

The transformation was fast and brutal. Timothy's clothes tore as his body contorted, fur sprouting from his skin. Within seconds, a massive gray wolf stood where he once had, its eyes gleaming with anger.

The stranger didn't flinch.

Timothy lunged, his jaws snapping at the man but the man was faster. With a single devastating blow, his palm collided with Timothy's head, sending the big wolf crashing to the ground. Timothy didn't rise.

I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth as I watched them in shock. Timothy was still motionless.

I watched in silence as the man knelt beside Timothy's unconscious wolf, his gloved fingers brushed against the wolf's head and a faint glow emanated from his touch. In an instant, the wolf shifted, leaving Timothy lying on the cold ground in his human form, looking vulnerable.

The man straightened and turned to me. His gaze, though covered by the mask, felt scary as if he was looking directly at my soul.

"Come," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, fear and uncertainty paralyzing me.

"Now," he said, his voice firmer this time.

Every fiber of my being screamed at me not to trust him but the way he looked at me— calm, composed, and assured— gave me no choice.

Trembling, I forced myself to stand and follow him out of the alley, leaving Timothy behind in the shadows.