When was the last time the world felt free? When was it ever actually quiet? Oh, right. Back when humans were still the ones in charge. I'll admit, there was a bit of chaos then, political drama, high taxes, the usual. But it was nothing compared to the hellscape we're living in now.
I took a sharp, aggressive bite of my apple, my eyes fixed on the city center. Those towering skyscrapers at the heart of the city? That's where the new lords of this place live.
The Alphas and the Supremos.
The territory is split right down the middle. To the right, where the sun sets, belongs to the vampires. To the left, the werewolves. And in the center? The humans, of course. Why? Because we're the buffet.
Walking, talking appetizers, to be exact.
It's not like they'd die without us. They could easily raise goats, sheep, or whatever else. But we're just "more pleasing to the palate," as they like to say.
"Disgusting," I hissed, tossing the rest of my apple aside.
I adjusted the strap of my sheepskin bag. It didn't hold much—just a knife, some matches, and whatever scrap I could use to stay alive. Life isn't like it used to be. Now, it's nothing but a constant game of survival.
A moment later, I heard a rustle nearby. I went on high alert, scanning the surroundings while slowly shifting my weight, getting ready to bolt.
I counted to five and took off. I didn't bother looking back to see who was there, I was in too much of a hurry. I held my breath as I ran, desperate to put some distance between myself and whoever was chasing me.
Suddenly, I tripped. Someone grabbed me by the collar, hoisting me up until my feet dangled off the ground. I found myself face-to-face with the man who took me in—Herari. He's a fifty-year-old werewolf who found me when I was only six.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to go past the boundary we agreed on?" Herari's eyes were smoldering. I knew he'd been looking for me for a while, judging by how pissed off he was.
"I told you to stay away from their fortress!"
"I didn't actually go near it," I argued. "I was just looking!"
He dropped me unceremoniously, sending me crashing to the ground. To make matters worse, I landed right on my butt first, and the impact was agonizing. I winced in pain, unable to do anything but rub my aching butt.
Herari towered over me—a solid six-footer. Most werewolves are like that, standing in stark contrast to us normal humans. Their stamina is on an entirely different level, too. But according to Herari, even ordinary werewolves pale in comparison to what an Alpha is capable of.
The presence of royal blood is far more chilling, far more overwhelming, than that of a common wolf.
"Stay still," Herari snapped, suddenly alert. I froze mid-sentence.
"What is it?" I whispered, my voice so low I was certain only the two of us could hear.
"Run!" he suddenly bellowed, shoving me aside with such force I went flying.
I hit the ground hard, stunned and reeling. When I failed to move immediately, Herari shot me a look of pure fury.
"I said, run!" he snarled. If he had the chance to knock some sense into me right then, I'm certain he would have.
Confused but terrified, I finally scrambled to my feet and bolted. Adrenaline surged through my system, and in my panic, I practically forgot how to breathe.
But my flight was cut short when I slammed into something massive and unyielding. My frail body was thrown against a tree, my vision spinning instantly. Despite the haze, I managed to lift my head to see who—or what—had hit me.
Through my blurring sight, I made out a tall, muscular man with bronze skin. Tattoos began at his waist and snaked their way up his arm. His straight, shoulder-length hair was soaking wet.
As he leaned over me, water dripped from his hair onto my face. He reached out, his large, masculine hand cupping my cheek in a slow caress.
"There you are. At last, I've found a prey of my own," he said. There was a darkness behind his smile that made his intentions crystal clear.
Then, the world turned black, and I knew no more.