The Alpha’s Human Sacrifice

8

The bear reared back, its massive paw slashing the air just inches from Josephine’s face. Her heart thundered in her chest, every nerve screaming for her to move, but her limbs felt like lead. She couldn’t outrun them, couldn’t fight them.

This is it, she thought.

And then it came.

A shadow burst from the underbrush with a force so violent it shook the earth beneath her.

The creature collided with the bear mid-lunge, sending the massive beast careening to the side with a deafening roar. Josephine scrambled back, her breath caught in her throat as she watched the scene unfold.

The monster—no, the wolf—was unlike anything she had ever seen.

It was enormous, larger than even the bears. Its fur was as black as midnight, glinting faintly in the dim light. Its golden eyes burned with a feral intensity, glowing brighter than the portal they’d just passed through. Every muscle in its massive frame rippled with power, and its presence alone seemed to make the very air vibrate.

The wolf’s snarl was a guttural, bone-chilling sound, vibrating through her chest like the roar of an unrelenting storm. It lunged at the first bear, its massive jaws clamping down on its neck with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed into the air, painting the mossy ground in dark, glistening streaks.

Josephine couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Her fingers dug into the damp earth as she watched the monstrous wolf rip into the bear with a ferocity that was almost otherworldly.

The bear fought back, swiping at the wolf with its massive claws, but it was no match. The wolf ducked, its movements impossibly fast for something so large. With a savage growl, it leapt onto the bear’s back, its teeth tearing through flesh and bone with horrifying precision.

The second bear charged, its roar echoing through the forest. The wolf turned, its golden eyes narrowing as it met the new threat head-on. It darted forward, its powerful legs propelling it into the air. The collision was thunderous, the two beasts rolling across the ground in a flurry of fur and claws.

Josephine flinched as a spray of blood splattered across her face, warm and metallic. Her stomach churned, bile rising in her throat as she wiped at her cheek with trembling hands.

The wolf tore into the second bear with the same savage efficiency, its jaws clamping down on the bear’s throat and shaking violently until the beast went limp.

The forest fell silent.

The only sound was the wolf’s heavy breathing, its massive chest rising and falling as it stood amidst the c*****e. Blood dripped from its muzzle, staining its midnight fur, but its golden eyes remained sharp, scanning the area for any remaining threats.

Josephine stared at it, her body trembling as she tried to process what she was seeing.

It’s not a wolf, she thought. It’s something else.

The beast turned its gaze to her, and her heart stopped.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The wolf’s golden eyes locked onto hers, burning with an intelligence that sent a shiver down her spine. Its gaze was heavy, piercing, as though it could see every thought, every fear, every inch of her.

Josephine’s breath hitched, her fingers curling into the dirt as she tried to force herself to move. But her body refused to obey, paralyzed by the sheer weight of the monster’s presence.

And then it took a step toward her.

“No,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Stay back.”

The wolf growled softly, a low rumble that vibrated through her chest. It wasn’t a snarl, but it wasn’t friendly either.

Josephine’s tears began to fall, hot and unrelenting. She gritted her teeth, her jaw clenching as she inched backward, her hands scraping against the rough ground.

The wolf took another step, its massive paw landing silently on the mossy earth.

Josephine’s mind went blank with fear. She was so sure this was it. The bears hadn’t killed her, but this thing—this monster—would.

“Stay back!” she screamed, her voice cracking.

The wolf paused, its head tilting slightly as it regarded her. Its golden eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting moment, Josephine thought she saw something in them—something almost… human.

But the moment passed as quickly as it came.

The wolf moved again, so fast she barely saw it.

Josephine yelped, scrambling back in a panic. Her foot caught on a root, and she fell hard, the back of her head striking the ground with a sickening thud.

Stars danced in her vision, the world spinning as pain radiated through her skull.

The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her was the wolf’s golden eyes, glowing like molten fire as it loomed over her.