Draft
Emma stood frozen in the clearing, her chest heaving as Kain’s words echoed in her mind.
“You’ll understand soon enough.”
The intensity in his amber eyes, the unrelenting authority in his voice—it was infuriating. He spoke as though she was his responsibility, as if her decisions were secondary to his. And yet, beneath the irritation, a small voice in her mind whispered: What if he’s right?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a distant, guttural roar that sent a chill down her spine. It was unlike anything she’d ever heard—a sound that belonged to a predator far more menacing than Kain.
She turned toward the sound, her pulse quickening. The underbrush around her rustled, and glowing shapes flickered in the shadows. Something was moving toward her, and it wasn’t Kain.
She backed away slowly, her eyes scanning the forest for an escape route. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but she knew better than to make a sound.
The creature emerged from the shadows—a massive, hulking beast with reptilian scales and glowing red eyes. Its jagged teeth glinted as it sniffed the air, its head turning toward her.
Emma (whispering):
The beast growled, a low, menacing sound that rumbled through the clearing. It took a step forward, its claws digging into the earth.
Emma’s legs felt like jelly. She stumbled back, her mind racing. She could run, but the beast was faster. She could climb a tree, but its claws could tear through bark like paper.
Just as the creature lunged, a blur of motion shot past her.
Kain was there in an instant, his body moving with a feral grace. In one fluid motion, he intercepted the beast, his claws extended and his muscles coiled with raw power.
Kain
I told you, Emma. This world isn’t kind.
The beast roared and swiped at him, but Kain dodged effortlessly, his movements precise and calculated. He struck back, his claws slashing across its scaled hide with a force that sent the creature reeling.
Emma watched in stunned silence as the two predators clashed. Kain’s speed and strength were terrifying, but there was something mesmerizing about the way he fought—like a deadly dance where every move was deliberate.
Emma
He’s not just strong. He’s… protecting me.
The fight didn’t last long. With a final, brutal swipe, Kain struck the beast down, its body collapsing with a heavy thud. Blood seeped into the earth, and the forest fell silent once more.
Kain turned to Emma, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. His eyes glowed brighter, his beastly features sharp and dangerous.
Emma shook her head, unable to find her voice.
Kain took a step closer, his intense gaze locking onto hers.
Kain
That’s why you need me, Emma. This isn’t your world. You don’t know what’s out here, and you won’t survive on your own.
Emma
I… I didn’t think it would be like this.
Kain
Now you know. Come back with me. You’ll be safe at my den. You can hate me all you want, but I won’t let you get yourself killed.
Emma
Fine. But I’m not agreeing to anything else.
He turned and started walking, expecting her to follow. Emma lingered for a moment, her pride warring with her survival instincts, before reluctantly trailing after him.
As they moved through the forest, the tension between them remained thick, but a new understanding began to take root. Emma wasn’t ready to trust him, but for now, she’d stay close.
And Kain? He was content. She was where she belonged—with him.
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