The forest loomed before Selene Carter like the gaping mouth of some ancient beast. Its trees were tall and thick, their branches curling together to form a canopy that swallowed most of the sunlight. From the outside, it looked harmless enough—a stretch of green on the outskirts of her small city—but everyone in town called it The Forest of No Return.
Selene wasn't the type to listen to warnings.
She adjusted her backpack and took a deep breath, her sketchbook tucked under her arm. Ever since she was a child, she had been fascinated by this place. Local legends whispered about wolves larger than men, glowing eyes that hunted at night, and eerie howls that traveled on the wind. Most people avoided the forest at all costs. Selene? She wanted to see for herself.
Her sneakers crunched over the dry leaves as she stepped off the main road and into the shadow of the first tree. A chill ran through her body as though she'd crossed some invisible line.
"This is fine," she muttered, trying to sound confident. "It's just a forest. People exaggerate."
But even her voice sounded swallowed by the silence.
She walked deeper, sketchbook clutched tight. Her original plan was innocent enough—sketch a few landscapes for her art project. But a restless energy drove her further, tugging at her curiosity.
The deeper she went, the quieter it became. No birds. No squirrels. No buzzing insects. Just the sound of her own breathing and the occasional creak of tree branches.
Selene stopped, her pulse quickening. The air felt heavier here. Thick with… something.
You should go back, a small voice in her head whispered. But her pride overrode it. "Not yet."
She pressed forward until the shadows seemed to thicken. That's when it happened.
A low growl rippled through the air.
Selene froze, every muscle in her body locking in place. Her throat went dry, her fingers clutching the strap of her backpack until her knuckles turned white.
It's probably a dog, she tried to tell herself. But the sound was too deep, too primal.
From the corner of her eye, movement flickered between the trees. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"Hello?" she called, though her voice came out weak. "Is someone there?"
No answer. Only the crunch of footsteps approaching.
She spun around, her breath caught in her chest—and her eyes widened.
A man stepped out of the shadows.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair messy as though the wind itself had combed it. His presence was overwhelming, commanding the air around him. But it wasn't his size or his aura that made Selene's heart stutter. It was his eyes.
Golden. Bright and unnatural, glowing faintly even in the dim light.
Her instincts screamed to run, but her feet refused to obey.
"You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice low, deep, and rough—like gravel dragged across steel.
Selene blinked, trying to process the sight before her. He looked human, but his movements, his voice, his presence felt wrong. Dangerous.
"This is… just a forest," she said, forcing her voice steady. "I'm not trespassing."
The stranger tilted his head, studying her as though she were some peculiar creature. "Not trespassing?" His lips curved, though it wasn't a smile. "This land belongs to my kind. No human walks here without consequence."
Selene's breath hitched. "Your… kind?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer. Selene instinctively stepped back until her shoulder brushed against the rough bark of a tree.
His golden gaze swept over her, unreadable yet piercing. "Most humans who wander here never return."
Selene's chest tightened. Fear clawed at her, but alongside it was something else—a strange, electric pull toward this stranger.
"Why?" she whispered.
The man's jaw clenched. "Because the forest is alive with predators that don't forgive mistakes. And you…" His gaze locked with hers, intense and almost accusing. "…you've made the mistake of stepping into my territory."
Selene swallowed hard. Every instinct told her to run, yet her body remained rooted. Her heart pounded, adrenaline crashing through her veins, but her eyes refused to look away from his.
"I'm not afraid," she said, though her voice betrayed her with a slight tremor.
For a moment, something flickered in his gaze—amusement, maybe even curiosity. Then, quicker than she could register, he turned his head as if sensing something. His nostrils flared.
"You shouldn't be here," he repeated, his tone sharper this time. "Leave. Now."
And just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone.
Selene gasped, her eyes darting left and right. There had been no footsteps, no sound—just empty forest where he'd stood.
Her body trembled. She pressed her palm against the tree behind her, trying to steady her racing breath.
"What… was that?" she whispered.
The forest didn't answer. But she could still feel the heat of his golden eyes burned into her memory.
For the first time, the thought of turning back didn't seem weak—it seemed necessary. But even as she retraced her steps, Selene knew one thing for certain.
That stranger—whoever, whatever he was—was not finished with her. And deep down, some reckless part of her didn't want him to be.
Author's Note:
🌙✨ Did you feel the chills from Selene's first step into Damon's world? The adventure is only beginning! If you enjoyed this chapter, please vote with your Power Stones and leave a comment. Your support means the world and helps me keep updating every day! ❤️