Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings (by jessica hall) novel Chapter 59

Time passes quickly and I have no idea how long for before I hear Zeke’s taunting voice echo off the trees. His voice mocks me and I slow trying to pick up which direction he is in. Yet the way noise travels through here it's near impossible when I spot light up ahead. I run for it, anything to get away from his haunting voice that sends chills dancing up my spine. By the time I reach it I burst out of the trees and clutch my knees. Exhausted, and panting.

Lifting my gaze I find I am in some small clearing, not as many trees through this patch and I understand why. A river splits the earth, the rapids moving fast. Peering around I move along the forest edge, keeping low as possible and start jogging around toward the river. Yet the closer I get the more I realize the only means of escape is crossing it. Moving to the edge I shudder, knowing how cold that water will be before jumping in. The moment I hit the water the harsh bitter coldness of it steals my breath.

I wade through the chest deep water to the other side, huffing and panting at the cold that is seeping through me when I spot Zeke emerge from the trees before I can climb out. I immediately drop down below the bank so he can’t see, and let the river wash me down stream.

My heart races in my chest as I wait for him to find me and after a few minutes, I lift my head to find I can’t see him anymore I am no longer in the clearing. Instead the trees aren’t thick here as they canopy over the river, birds are whistling and frogs croaking loudly making it hard to hear my surroundings. I find this part of the woods is not as dense. Carefully, I try to stand to find I can’t, my body dropping beneath the surface and I claw my way back up, looking around I start swimming to the side and haul myself onto the bank. Crawling my way out I flop onto my back trying to catch my breath.

Think, Zirah! I scold myself. I can’t keep running, he will catch me. Instead I need a plan. Rolling on my side, I look at the trees, debating whether or not to attempt to climb one but know that will leave me a sitting duck.

Grabbing the bag beside me I open it, finding the rope and the broken knife. Tossing the bag aside I look for the best spot to create a snare trap. It takes me what feels like forever to hide it with leaves and cover my tracks. All while glancing over my shoulder expecting him to catch me at any second. When I am done I climb the tree I set the trap in, snickering to myself. Sitting in the high branches above I wait, instead feeling for the trees' vibration, and watching the birds swing on the vines that lead down to the ground.

It is about another five minutes before I hear movement and my eyes glance around, nervously. Planting both hands on the tree trunk I am perched on, I look at the ground waiting for him to come into view.

“Really, a snare?” Zeke questions, looking up at me. He picks up the rope, holding the noose in his hands while I feel for the energy of the tree, and the leaves rustle, the vines twitching. The very vines I made my real trap out of.

“I am honestly a little disappointed, I thought you may have been smarter. Although, I didn't think you would jump in the river, given how cold it is. You must be freezing.” he taunts, I stare down at him in his Lycan form, in this form he is a huge gray beast. Long claws that could easily cut through flesh, sharp teeth that could bite through bone, and gunmetal gray fur. He is a magnificent sight but a petrifying one at that.

“I really don’t feel like climbing a tree, how about you jump down. I kill you quickly, I can tell daddy, you got eaten by wild wolves, or maybe bush turkey’s since your human and those fuckers are vicious, then I can go home and have a drink. But if you make me climb this damn tree, I will pull you apart limb by limb and make it excruiat—” his words cut off when takes a step forward and the vines wrap around his feet. A strange shriek that also sounds like a howl escapes him when the vines tug sending him to the ground before he is ripped upside down in the air.

The vibration of the tree makes my runes on my back tingle and I gasp at the sheer power of the tree, the second rune which I know is earth magic rushes through me. Not even I was expecting it to be quick, and so easily manipulated. It gave me a taste of actually how powerful granny was. The vines twist and wrap around his body, encasing him quickly as he spins violently in a blur of fur and he is suddenly hanging upside down. The rune on my back I feel burn out, making me hiss. And then there was three.

“What the fuck! How did you do that! What kind of fucking girls scout shit is this!” Zeke roars thrashing in the vines grip that has a stranglehold on his body not allowing him to move an inch. His only ability right now is to sway upside down. I jump from my branch. Landing beside him and he glares down at me.