-Isabella-
All the guys turned their heads, searching for the source of the voice. I strained to see who was speaking, but the massive bodies blocking my view made it impossible. The one who had his hands on me growled low, clearly annoyed that someone had interrupted their little “hunt”.
“Go away. This does not concern you,” he snarled.
I trembled with fear, silently begging the newcomer not to be intimidated and walk away, but there was no sound of retreat. Instead, the person seemed to draw closer.
“Let. The. Female. Go,” he commanded, his voice deep and clear.
For some reason, his tone echoed within me, like a call I didn’t know how to answer. Who was this person entering the alley? Did he intend to take me away from the group to have his own fun with me? I shook with fear at the thought. After all, who would risk their life for a half-blood?
“Why don’t you come and take her?” the guy who had me challenged, a smug smile on his face.
“Finally. Thought you’d never ask.” This time, another voice responded. It was deep as well, but carried a lighter, almost excited tone. How many had come into the alley?
I didn’t have time to find out before a fight broke out among them. Three of the guys surrounding me charged first at the newcomers, but barely reached them before they were thrown back. One hit a brick wall, another collided with a container, and the last one rolled over the ground, stopping right in front of me. I let out a small scream, bewildered by the power these newcomers wielded.
The guys quickly picked themselves up, but all five charged this time. The one who had his hands on me shoved me hard against the brick wall, knocking the air from my lungs. I slowly slid to the ground, groaning in pain, yet I didn’t even bother trying to rise. I knew they would return soon to finish their hunt. Five against one? Maybe two? They didn’t stand a chance. So I kept my eyes closed, listening to the things grow quiet. So quiet…
“It’s okay. You don’t have to be afraid. We’re not going to hurt you,” I suddenly heard a voice above me say.
I lifted my head and met a pair of strikingly light blue eyes. How was it possible to have such a color? The guy was fair-skinned, with blond hair, and wore a heart-melting smile. He was certainly very attractive, but as he reached for me, I instinctively drew back in fear.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you,” he repeated, speaking slowly, emphasizing his words for my reassurance.
I didn’t believe him, of course. No wolf truly wanted to help me. Most of them preferred to ignore me, but the disgust in their eyes as they looked at me hurt just as much.
“Here, let me help you up,” he said, extending his hand toward me.
I raised an eyebrow, glancing between him and his outstretched hand. Should I take it? Could I trust him? I bit my tongue as I slowly placed my hand in his, and he carefully helped me up from the ground.
“I’ve got her. She seems okay,” he said, looking down the alley.
I turned my head, following his eyes, but all I could see were two large, dark shadows at the end of the alley.
“Come,” the blond guy urged, guiding me down the alley.
I heard groaning around us as we started to walk away. Sh*t! I thought. Those were the guys who had chased me just moments ago! They lay on the ground, bloody and barely conscious. How was this possible?
I looked up at the blond guy. He was certainly big and clearly strong. His clothes hugged his muscles tightly, and I suspected he must be some kind of trained fighter to have taken out so many. But fear coursed through my body as I glanced at the men on the ground. Was this new guy going to hurt me too?
“It’s okay. I told you, you don’t have to be afraid of me,” he said reassuringly, clearly sensing my fear.
I nodded but kept my guard up as he led me out of the alley. There, I was met by two enormous men, just as big as the blond one. One leaned against a car, with brown hair and pitch-black eyes. He seemed intimidating. Even though he wore a neutral expression, I knew better than to provoke him.
I quickly looked away from him and turned my gaze to the guy beside him. Wow, that was all I could think as I saw him. I had no words. My heart began to pump harder and faster in my chest, my palms suddenly sweaty, and my body started to vibrate.
I didn’t know why, but the man with dark green eyes seemed to take my breath away like no one else ever had.