When she reached the end of the alley, the street looked endless, with small lights still shining in the far corners ahead. But before she could take another step, something hit her chest hard.
The force she ran made her fall after colliding with a street sign. She tried to breathe well as she fell to the ground, her body rolling over the cold floor. She felt the serious pain by her side, but she forced herself to her feet, ready to run again, but something or someone was blocking her path.
She looked up. It was him. Dane Voss.
The billionaire. The real estate mogul she'd been investigating. The man whose name was linked to the luxurious developments all over the city. The man who had been connected to the disappearances. The man who, in her deepest mind, she had already suspected was hiding more than just business secrets.
His very tall stature covered her, his sharp jawline was lighted by the streetlight behind him. His dark hair, combed back neatly, kept shining in the beauty of the city. But it wasn't his appearance that made her heart stop beating but It was his eyes.
The moment their eyes met each other, she knew something was wrong.
His eyes, those cold, calculating eyes, gave out a bright, unnatural gold.
Her breath seized in her throat. No. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not here.
He was one of them. One of the creatures she had been investigating. The werewolves.
Mira's heartbeat sounded in her ears. She staggered backward, her body still experiencing pain from the fall, but Dane didn't move. He stood there, watching her without shifting his eyes. His eyes never left hers.
"Running away already?" His voice was smooth and soft, but there was a different meaning to his words. A warning. "You shouldn't have come here, Mira. You don't deserve to see all you saw tonight"
Her mind raced. She had to get away. But how? This wasn't just some rich businessman who happened to be connected to doubtful businesses. Dane Voss was something else entirely.
"I don't know what you are," she said while also trying to arrange herself and get her breath back to normal. "But I'm not backing down. Not now."
Dane walked slowly towards her, with a smile on his face. He didn't look like he was rushing anywhere. There was no panic. Just calm and he was filled with self-confidence. He was enjoying the view.
"You should have stayed away, I am just me Mira" he repeated, his voice was calm this time. "You don't understand the type of danger you have involved yourself in."
Mira's breath seized in her throat again. Her mind tried so hard to stay focused. Danger? He was the danger. "How come you know my name without asking me about it? What really is going on here?. You're one of the werewolves. Aren't you?"
Dane gave out a small smile with the corner of his mouth. "You are the famous journalist and the daughter of Mr Caldwell who worked for us and I don't understand what you are talking about here." He said with a calm voice while also approaching her.
"With your golden eyes, the strength in your posture. It all had a meaning, now I understand little of what my father used to tell me back then about the city and your family." She said with fear in her voice.
"I didn't expect you to understand it this quickly," he said, his voice was low. "But you're right. I am a werewolf. And so much more."
The words gave her body goosebumps. She had suspected the truth for a while now. The disappearances. The strange events are related to the Voss developments. But hearing him accept that he is a werewolf, the confirmation sent a shiver through her body.
"So, what now?" she asked, she tried to cover her fear. "You're just going to let me go, right?"
Dane stopped smiling immediately, and his golden eyes shone brighter. He took another step closer to her, and this time She couldn't move herself away, She wasn't sure why, but her instinct to her to make her stand.
"I can't let you go," he said with a soft tone and a smile. "Not when you know what you know."
Mira swallowed her saliva hard. She looked and what was left in her mind was her survival. She wasn't just fighting for the story anymore. She was fighting for her life.
suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps from down the alley. Mira froze, It was the two men chasing her that were coming closer.
Dane's eyes moved to the side, his expression hardening as he turned his attention to the two men coming. The golden glow in his eyes flashed, almost like a fire burning hot.
"Leave. Now," he growled with a loud sound, his tone commanding.
She jumped up to her feet and didn't think twice before trying to start running away from the scene, she felt a serious hold on her arm and she looked to see the golden eyes of Dane and felt a burn from his hold. his touch was harsh and hurtful, it made her breathe seized in her throat because she never expected the hold from him.
"No," he said with a low voice. "You don't need to run anymore."
The two men rounded the corner, their faces filled with anger. Their golden eyes flashed in the small light as they saw her standing there, held by Dane.
One of the men who was tall and lean took a step forward. "Let her go, Dane. Release her for us." He said with a loud growl
Dane didn't move. His eyes didn't leave Mira's, but the tension in his shoulders tightened. It was clear he wasn't scared of their presence. These men were his pack, but something was different tonight. Something had shifted.
"You don't have that right to give orders to me," Dane replied, his voice calm but scary.
The other man stepped forward, eyes fixed on Dane. "We don't want to do this. But if you don't let her go, we will get her from you by force."
Mira's heart raced. She has found herself between two powerful forces, and there was no way out. She didn't know what to do. The Voss Pack had their hand in every corner of the city, and now she was a part of their world. She had uncovered their secret.
But what were they planning? Why were they chasing after her?
Her thoughts were disturbed when Dane finally spoke again.
"She is not just an ordinary journalist. She's something else. She's more involved than any of you realize."
Mira's eyes widened. What did he mean? She wasn't involved with anything, except finding the truth. She had to get answers, but everything had just become more complicated.
Suddenly, Dane's eyes became brighter, and before she could say anything, Dane moved. The two men didn't have time to stop him as he stepped forward, pulling her closer to himself and covering her with his big shoulder, shielding her from their view.
Mira's breath seized in her throat as Dane's hold on her tightened, and the world around her seemed to shift.
"Run," he shouted. this time, Mira didn't waste any time but started running.
She ran and disappeared with the darkness of the night helping her, her heart pounding, and her thoughts were filled with many questions. What had she just uncovered? What was Dane Voss really after? What game was he playing?
And could she survive it?
The chase was not over.