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He watched her from the shadows, the covering of the night concealing his every move. She walked the small dog through the poorly-lit park, the trees swaying as the wind whispered through. The dog barked happily, glad its owner had taken it out tonight. The female wasn't stupid, though, her eyes continuously scanning her surroundings as she picked up her speed.

"Come on, pumpkin, it's time to go home."

She spoke quickly to the dog, as if the act would ease her. She walked right by him, unaware that he could have reached out and caressed her hair. Her heart beat strongly, the loud thumping causing his teeth to descend and his mouth to water. He ran his tongue along his fangs, the sharp edges cutting him, warm blood oozing into his mouth. It inflamed his senses; that one small taste of blood had every instinct on high alert.

The dog started to bark wildly, not from happiness, but from fear. It sensed him, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and staring right at him. He smiled at the creature, knowing the dog could see him clearly. It whimpered, causing the female to look around. Her breathing picked up, her heart beating so loudly it vibrated his bones. This was life, what his existence was about: the hunt, the chase, the capture. He inhaled deeply, smelled the adrenaline that ran through her blood. It excited him.

He didn't waste any more time. He stepped out of the shadows and smiled at her. Her eyes grew wide, her hand gripping the leash so fiercely her knuckles turned white. He stepped closer, staring into her eyes, urging her to comply.

"Good evening."

His voice was low, his eyes compelling her to listen. She visibly relaxed, her eyes going half-mast and her lips tilting into a small smile.

"Hello."

The dog continued to bark, the high-pitched yapping grating on his nerves.

"Drop the leash."

She immediately obeyed. Not wasting any time, the dog sprinted away. He stepped closer to her, inhaling her sweet fragrance as his mouth watered.

"You smell delicious, my dear."

He stared at her, taking in the long, graceful line of her neck, his throat burning from his hunger. He ran his hand along her exposed flesh, feeling the strong pulse that beat under his fingers. He led her towards the dark trees, her eyes glassy and her movements loose. She was completely under his compulsion now; anything he ordered, she would do. He enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, revelled in the fear that his prey emitted. With her, though-”another story entirely. He was going to savour her, enjoy every drop of blood that her body had to offer.

He pushed her against a tree, her head falling to the side as her eyes closed. He didn't wait any longer, his hunger too far gone for him to play with her. He lunged down, his fangs easily piercing the soft flesh of her throat. She moaned, his compulsion still working on her fragile human mind. As he drank, he could hear her heart slow, the pumping becoming weaker and weaker. She could no longer hold herself up, and so with one last great pull from her neck, he released her. She slumped to the ground, an empty smile fixed across her face. Her pale skin was a stark contrast to the dark surroundings.

He looked at her as he licked his lips, still able to taste the adrenaline that laced her blood.

"Not the best I've had, but good enough."

He looked at her limp body, watching as her breaths grew shallow. Her eyes opened wide and he heard he take her last breath, a small smile playing upon his lips. That was his favourite part, that very last breath that escaped their bodies. He stared at her, hating this part of the evening-”having to clean up the mess. Some called him a monster, a beast, or the devil himself. In truth, he was just at the top of the food chain, everyone and everything else fair game. He turned at the sound of footsteps behind him, smiling at who stepped out from beneath the heavy fall of the trees.

"Take care of this." He waved his hand at the young woman's body. "I have more hunting to do, and the night is still young."

His son stared at him, then his gaze went to the woman. No emotion played over his features as he nodded and got to work. His hand automatically went to the gold band that hung from the heavy chain around his neck. He ran his finger over the smooth metal, anger at last distorting his features.

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They all stood in a semicircle, the thick evergreens and blue spruces lending shade as well as protection from the outside world. Two alphas stepped forward, emitting their strength, power and dominance. Both males stood in their human forms, masculinity pouring off them in waves. The others sat on their haunches, their natural form that of the Luecross wolf. They were an ancient race, a society of shape-shifting creatures that, at will, could morph into humans or wolves. Humans saw them as a myth, as nothing more than creatures in horror movies. Werewolves they had been called, but they were so much more than that. They lent strength and power to each other, gave encouragement and knowledge.

Their hearts were untamed, but their souls were free. Always searching for their mate, they would do everything in their power to find that one being that would make them whole, that would complete them in a way that was unimaginable to mere mortals. For without that one person, they would forever be lost, submitting to their animal nature and letting the wildness consume them.

The two alpha males scanned their surroundings, knowing the time to find their mate had come. The Luecross knew there was nothing more important than finding that one person that could connect them in a way no other could. The alphas needed their mate, needed to find the female that could bring them together and further the line of their great species. She would be the one woman they loved, protected and cherished. She was the reason they were still here, forever searching for her until they finally possessed her and showed her pleasure the likes of which she had never experienced. Once they found her, they would never let her go.

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Addalina lay on the soft-carpeted floor, breathing heavily and feeling the warm blood trickling from her nose. Every part of her body ached, and she knew this time he must have broken at least three of her ribs. With an effort that sent excruciating pain shooting through every part of her, she managed to roll onto her back. For long minutes she just lay there, staring at her bedroom ceiling, lacking even the energy to cry. But she couldn't stay here. Gritting her teeth, she tried to pull herself to her knees.

"Get up, and I'll lay you flat on your ass again." His heavily slurred words came from the dark corner.

Her boyfriend, Joel, stumbled a couple of steps into the room.

She should have seen the signs of his abuse, but by the time she'd finally caught on to how he really was, it was too late. He had seemed to be the perfect man, so sweet and caring at first, and just a little jealous, which had made Addalina feel wanted. Their relationship had been great until they had decided to move in together.

That's when the demon in him finally came out. He would stay out late with his friends and come home piss ass drunk only to accuse her of having another man over while he'd been gone. At first, Addalina had denied everything and hadn't really let it bother her. She'd excused his erratic behaviour for a drunken man's thoughts. When he had started with the pushing then the slapping, she had known she was in trouble.

Of course, she had tried to leave him. She had even had her bags packed when he had come home early one day to find her on the verge of escaping. He'd gone crazy. As he always had before, he'd apologised after his abuse, but Addalina knew he would always be like this, and she had feared for her life. Yet until now, she had never spoken to anyone of the way he treated her and had always hidden the bruises and cuts well when she'd gone out.

This morning, though, she had finally reached out to her sister, Sersha, for help. Sersha had been angry Addalina had waited so long, but had been so understanding and loving it had made Addalina weep with thankfulness. She'd packed her bags and had been about to walk out the door when Joel had come home, horribly drunk again, with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in hand.