MUST NOT LOVE THE PREY

LIAM'S POV.

"Oh!." I groan under my breath as I stare down at the creature I had shot with the gun, lying still in front of me. Only this time, it isn't a deer, as I think it is. It is a living being. Not just any living being but a female, one that lies there stark naked.

"Oh!" I groan again and run my fingers through my thick Brown hair. My head is reeling with thoughts of things to do.

Is she dead?

I wonder and take a step closer to assess her breath by leaning forward with a finger under her nose. I feel something like air against my skin, but is it hers or that of the breeze here?

Confused, I drop my shooting gun and kneel right next to her. My eyes trail down to her tiny round butt, and I breathe.

I am sure I won't find holding a dead naked woman in my arms 'fun.'

I take my hand firmly under her to roll her over, her skin against my innocent flesh. Soon her face is up, and I try so hard not to take a glance over her body, but I do. My now greedy eyes took a not-so-quick survey of her body. Her fair round breasts divided themselves as each stuck to the side for survival from the cold air. Her nipples stand from the coldness.

I groan softly as I try not to picture her lying in my arms, her bare skin against mine. After all, I am not a pervert.

My eyes follow the lower part of her body, tracing it till the end-her long slender legs and what is between them. I see a little bit of hair around her woman, and goddess help me as it takes more than 'I'm not a pervert' to stop myself from bouncing on her and taking in every bit of her.

But I am not a pervert. At least I don't want to be one. So I pushed the thought aside and stared at her right hand, where the blood was gushing out.

What am I to do next?

Maybe I could flee and pretend this all never happened since Wolves like himself barely tread this path.

"Is she dead?." I whisper to myself, expecting an answer from my Wolf, who seems to have abandoned me in this mess. Unable to get a response, I let out a loud sound and gnashed my teeth before standing up.

I know all I have to do is pretend this never happened since I never saw her coming. I had thought it was a deer and..... I push replaying the scene aside and stare at her now pale face. She looks pretty with her pointy nose and small rounded lips. Reflection from the moonlight dancing on her Red silk hair as I run my fingers through them.

My thoughts wander to what she was supposed to be doing in a forest this thick, naked, and by this time. A chaperone every-time must accompany a woman like her every day to prevent perverts from feeding on her.

Maybe she is a witch. Or evil, Or maybe there is a wicked stepmother somewhere who had pushed her out to....Just like in the stories I read to my sister growing up.

I push my thought aside and quickly pick up my gun, standing on my feet and walking away.

Halfway out, I heard a roar, one that sounded like that of a bear. I ignore it and go my way, stepping out to where I had parked my car. I open the boot and throw my gun in it, then step into the vehicle.

"Are you going to leave her there?." Olcan say as I ignite the car, turning the key in it with my left hand on the wheel, ready to move.

"She is dead," I respond coldly. I didn't care if she was. Or am I supposed to be?

"How sure are you? What if she isn't?." Olcan snaps. I can imagine him rolling his eyes in an attempt to pass on his message.

I pause to think about it; never did it occur to me to confirm her death, but what could be done now? What if the bear had gotten to her by now? Or maybe other animals did? Creepy reptiles.... There were so many things in this thick dark forest that would kill her in a few minutes.

"You caused her this, so it's your responsibility, or will you leave her out there to the bears? The innocent lady probably came out for a run in the forest. Her family is probably out there looking for her, worried as hell and....jeez Liam, I thought better of you." Olcan says and lets out a soft growl to show his disappointment.

I pull in a shaky breath.

Maybe Olcan is right. Perhaps she isn't dead.

I can't say for sure.

I left even before I could correctly check.

He feels other Wolves' pains, including animals as well. He isn't as cold-hearted as I am. It makes me wonder if maybe that's why the moon goddess paired him with me. I can is everything differently from me.

"But what if she is dead?." I ask, confused. I didn't want to put up his hope on something that might not be true. I know Olcan more than himself to understand that he never lets things go and gets attached to things quickly.

"We will never find out if we don't try." Olcan snarls, and I immediately know I have to get out of the car and get her.

Olcan acts more feminine than masculine most times with the way he reacts, keeps grudges, and brings up old issues over and over again. I am still yet to recover from his constant reminder that I had killed a Mother antelope to leave her young one to fend for themselves. According to Olcan, I acted like a monster.

Getting out of the car, I slammed the door behind me and started to walk back toward where I had come out. I hear the roar again. This time it sounds louder and angrier. I quickened, running fast in the order I had left her. Not because I care but because I can hear Olcan's soft growl of disgust.

***

I slow my pace as I get closer, putting out my feet a step at a time, careful not to awaken or alert whatever danger lurks around. Olcan had gone silent again, and it made me wonder if there was something he knew that I didn't.

I'm starting to think coming back here to save a stranger is a bad idea, especially now that Olcan makes it look so. Plus, I found it hard to remember where I had hit her-the spot I picked her up. Nonetheless, I still remember her body's appearance and how soft and sensitive her skin is. It makes me want to feel her again.

Argh!

I groan softly to control my mind from going astray and push the thoughts to the back of my head.

I hear soft groans and push the flowers to the side gently to see the back of it, and its black back turned towards me as it seems its attention is on something else. I sense a familiar scent in the air, one I have smelt somewhere.

I pause and tilt my head to see what captivated it.

Oh!.

I exclaim on seeing her still-pale feet. The little naked creature I had hit with my gun. My victim. Its prey.

I turn around to leave,e wanting to mind my business.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!." Olcan exclaims, finally talking. "Your best, silly. It looks like someone chickened out at the sight of a big scary bear. Scared to challenge one?." He adds and giggles.

I scoff.

"Scared of a bear?." I say. "I'm scared of nothing. Have you heard my hunting tales?." I add with pride in my voice.

Olcan let out a mocking laugh.

"Your made-up hunting tales. Yes, yes, I have." He responds, arching his lips upward.

I roll my eyes this time. Pissed that Olcan sometimes gets on my nerves by mocking things; he knows I'm proud.

"They are not made up." I snap angrily. None in the whole pack ever doubt my stories, not even the newly borns. I'm the strongest, and everyone admits to that.

"Well, it looks like they are, Chicken Boy." He mocks and giggles again, sticking his tongue out to annoy me the more.

The giggling is starting to piss me off.

"I will show you. I will show you just what I can do." I respond. The anger in my blood builds up as my blood boils.

He does know how to get to me, and that was one thing I like and dislike about him-his attempt to always put me to the edge with the sharpness and bluntness in his voice.

"By what?." He questions mockingly. "Chicken boy." He mocks again, then follows a dry laugh.

I clench my teeth hard to hold myself back from driving my fist into his lower abdomen and watching him roll on the floor with his palms clutching onto his stomach as he pleads for mercy.

"Chicken boy." He whispers, then adds a brief soft chuckle before going silent.

Annoyed and pissed, I storm towards the bear, the ugly-looking creature with its back turned to me with its feet dug in the sand.

"Hey! Over here!." I scream aloud, and the anger is visible in my voice. But it seems to ignore me as it gives me no attention.

"Hey!." I scream and pick up a big stone, throwing it at it...

Grummm.

I hear its soft, angry growl, then pick another and strike it in the back with it.

Its growls get louder and more intense as it turns its head to look my way; it is drooling, dropping on her pale skin.

It groans again as though warning me of something.

"Here goes nothing," I mutter underneath my breath and roar too. One that shows that I am ready for a fight too. Its eyes glued to mine as mine to its.

I watch it turn around to snarl at me, its enormous body fully visible. Its stocky legs are firm on the ground, its two small rounded ears stretching and alert. Its hair looks so shaggy. Its plantigrade paws are flat on the floor with its five nonretractile claws pulled out, ready for a fight. Its tail is so short and barely visible.

Bears are the last thing I want to fight, not because they scare me but because I find them so easy to resist. This isn't my first fight, after all, and I have fought creatures much more substantial than it.

I jumped out of its face as it launched forward to descend on me, scratching him on the left side with my claws. It groaned, then turned around with its claws stretched ahead, aiming for my face. I dodge its attempt by jumping to the side, not noticing its other effort from the other side as its claws dug deep into my shoulder arm, leaving it with a deep scratch.

I let out some air as I endured the pain, realizing the bear was exceptionally strong. Other bears would have gotten weak from my claws tear because of the poison in them, but they seem not to be moved.

"Chicken boy," Olcan whispered and laughed hysterically, echoing as it faded.

He does that every time. He does the same thing every time he tries to get to me, which always works.

My blood boiled as I stared at the bear, my anger shooting its bullets straight to the sky. I hold its gaze as I position myself well.

"Rrrrrrrrr." I roar and launch at him.

Jumping on him, we roll down on the floor as I try to tear him with my claws any chance I get. I bury my fangs in its neck and eat out its flesh, sucking on its blood as much as possible. It groans and groans as it tries to free itself from my claws. I sit on it and dig my claws into its stomach, twisting my right hand sideways to get in deeper. A smile on my lips as I watch it slowly fade away as I manage its once strong arms getting so weak and its groan getting so low.

"Grrrrrrr." It summons strength and roars as it strikes me with its claws.

I roll off it in pain, my head banging loudly as I clutch to my aching stomach, and soon my eyes close slowly, with everywhere getting blurry.

LIAM'S POV

I sigh as I settle on the edge of my bed. I had left her in the other room with the Doctor to come to mine to care for my wound.

A soft knock lands on the door, and I mutter out a "Come in" after pulling my shirt down to cover the wound on my stomach, even though I know it's impossible due to its tear.

Rivers walks in, dressed in a casual shirt and jean trousers. He is my Beta and an old childhood friend of mine. He is practically more like my twin because he knows everything about me, even things I didn't think he took note of.

"Good day, Alpha." He greets me with a slight bow of his head.

I nod in response, then put on my lower lip to relieve my pain.

I have repeatedly corrected him not to call me Alpha and to stick with Liam, but he refuses.

"You are my Master, so I must respect you." He would say countless times, and soon I just let it slide. I find myself getting used to it.

"To what do I owe this visit?" I say playfully as I wonder if Diana told him anything. I know her to be the type that gets worried about me so quickly. I know she cares, but I'm not a little child anymore.

Yes, before my Father's death. He told her to care for me and watch me like her own, which she has been doing since I was Fifteen.

"I have news from the Elders." He informs, and my eyes spark up with curiosity.

Do they know? Did they maybe find out about her existence?

"What's that?" I ask, trying not to jump into conclusions.

"The Elders want a meeting with you. They want to discuss the threatening issues in the kingdom." He responds.

I nod slightly, then pin my lips together to relieve my pain.

"Okay," I respond, my voice, however, coming with a slight crack.

"Okay, Master." He replies, then turns around to leave when he pauses to look back at me. "You good? You don't look okay." He asks, his eyes running over me.

Rivers is the type to always notice any little thing off about me or anyone. This is the reason why he is mostly on bad terms with nearly everyone. He suspects most wolves around me. 'I don't like him' 'He doesn't look like you can be trustworthy' 'I think he has something he is hiding' These are his words every single time, it got to a point that I always expect him to say something ill about whoever we meet.

Now I'm starting to hate that he has that superpower.

"I'm fine." I lie and squeeze my eyes shut briefly.

But that don't make him leave or go outside. He stays still there, his huge form overshadowing mine as I sit. His eagle eyes running over me.

"No, you're not. You're bleeding." He responds and runs forward to pull my shirt up, revealing my wound.

Ouch!

I bit on my lip again, and let out a soft groan inside.

"How did you get this?" He asks, worries and curiosity filling his voice.

"I...It was nothing serious." I reply, not wanting to fill him in on the details. I plan to keep it to myself forever.

"This doesn't look like it." He says, and raises his eyes to give me an angry stare.

Rivers never gives up.

I roll my eyes.

"Seriously, it's nothing, Rivers," I respond and snatch my shirt back from him, pulling it down.

He gives me a long hard stare and stands up.

"Stay right there, and I will get the Doctor." He informs me and steps out of the room before I can protest against it.

****

The Doctor walks in alongside Rivers. I'm glad that Mrs. Diana didn't follow. He drops his bag on the bed beside me.

"Pull off your shirt." He says, and I do as instructed.

I'm glad we were all males here, and my Doctor was a male. I wonder what thought would have gone through my head if my Doctorwass female.

'Pull off your shirt' will have sounded like an attempt to seduce me.

He pulls his bag closer and picks up something to apply to my wound. He cleans the blood off first. Luckily I'm not bleeding that much. He then places a bandage on it.

"It's not deep. It will heal with time." He says, then adds. "I will give you some pills to numb the pain." He informs.

I nod, biting on my lower lip.

He nods, too, in return, and stands up on his feet.

"I guess that's all for today." He says, and I nod again. "Well then, I have dropped her drugs in her room, so that should sustain her before I come for my next checkup." He informs.

I can see Rivers's questioning glare, but I ignore it.

"Okay, Doctor. Thank you." I responded.

He smiles before picking up his bag and walking out of the room.

"What was he talking about?" Rivers ask, but I choose to ignore him. That might be the best way to get him to shut up and stop talking.

"Fix the meeting with the Elders to the next three days," I instruct, and he nods.

He keeps quiet for a while as though he is thinking of the best thing to say before he finally responds.

"Okay, Master." He replies.

Good!

No questions.

I like this new Rivers better.

"Good. Also, tell the warriors to take a day off tomorrow. I need to rest." I inform him, and he nods again. For a weird unknown reason, he is being obedient, and that alone is suspicious.

I'm supposed to train with them tomorrow, but I doubt I can do so in this state. I don't feel that much pain from it, but I feel a bit weak. I know all I need is some rest to regain my lost strength.

"Okay, Master." He responds again.

I can see the questioning expression he has on. But I know I have no answer for him until I know who this stranger is. I need to keep her a secret. I need to keep her real identity a secret.

Who knows if she is a significant threat to us?

Plus, bringing home a stranger might raise questions from people. So until then, I need to keep lying that she is an old-time friend.

I know that will work.

"Leave me," I order.

He nods in response and walks out of the room after giving me a slight bow.

I sigh the second the door closes and slump on the bed-the thought of the day's event running through my mind.

What would have happened if I had ignored Olcan and refused to help her? Would that have made me a murderer?

I wonder.

****

I got off the bed, my body better, but I could still feel the wound. The pain has reduced a bit, but I can deal with pain. I have faced sadder hurt after all.

Should I talk about Father's death, or was it Mother's?

Yes, My Mother died trying to give me life, so I barely knew her, never knew her likes and dislikes. The things I knew were the ones Diana, the head servant, told me. She told me how good, friendly, and beautiful my Mother was and even showed me countless of her pictures and why they were taken.

Father?

Well, he died right before me while lying on the bed. His voice breaks as he groans in pain. He beckoned me to come over, and I did. My head bowed right in front of him.

"Take care of him like your own." Is the last thing he says to Mrs. Diana before picking up my left hand to squeeze into her palm.

He squeezes his eyes shut.

That was the last time I stared at his deep Green eyes. The very last time I saw those lashes flutter.

After that time, I didn't care anymore. It's just like my heart had darkened.

I push the thought aside, change into clean cloth comfortable and suitable for the meeting, and head out of the room.

I know that the Elders will already be waiting.

STRANGE GIRL'S POV.

I pull my eyes apart slowly, their heaviness almost discouraging me. My head bangs a little, making me place my right hand on it. I stared at the strange bright room, whose beauty differed from anything I had ever seen. The pictures on the wall and the design of the room seem familiar.

Where am I?

I ask myself as I try to stand up.

The past I can remember is...

It isn't even clear.

I feel a throbbing pain in my shoulder, causing me to groan softly. I didn't want to make a noise or alert anyone until I knew where I was. I leave the bed, dressed in unfamiliar yet comfortable pajamas, then head towards the door.

There was no one in sight by the time I got out.

The whole place looks unfamiliar, but it has a pleasant smell lingering in the air. I keep walking ahead, my eyes lingering around the room. The farther I walk, the more I fear I might encounter my kidnappers.

That has to be it.

That's the only suitable explanation for it.

I sight two big doors, two beautiful big doors. Enticed by the look of it, I'm curious to know what lies behind the door, so I push it open.

My feet get cold, and a slight shiver runs through my spine. I stare back at the faces of the eyes that linger hard on me. Sitting there are Five older werewolves dressed in different colors of robes. I watch their eyes stay from me to someone behind me.

There is a deafening silence in the room for a long while. Each has a frown on, their mustaches twirling a little as their fingers play on them.

"And you are?" One of them finally says, his masculine voice carrying some weight. He has an expression on his face, a look of disapproval.

I hear someone clear his voice from behind, and I turn around to look his way out for my eyes to land on the most handsome Wolf sitting in this room, standing in this room too. He has striking features, his neatly shaved face showcasing his beauty.

"Sorry about that, Elders. I didn't know she would barge that way. Guess she must have been searching for me." He says, his deep masculine voice holding so much power and might because the whole room grows silent to listen.

He adds an awkward laugh and steps closer to me. His long slender fingers grabbed me by my arms, shoving me closer to himself-my back against his chest and muscular arms. The smell of his aftershave hit my nostrils, almost knocking me senseless.

I feel comforted by being near this stranger, this strange Wolf that I have known for years.

Too bad I didn't know him. Or does he know me?

"Ain't you a sweetheart?" He teases me and squeezes me closer. His voice is soft and almost sweet, sounding like a tune to my ear.

Their eyes were glued to me regardless of his words.

"Who is she?" Another older Wolf asks after some minutes of silence.

That's a good question.

Who am I?

I ask myself, my mind going forth and back as I try to remember.

What is my name?

I think hard, but nothing comes forth.

Beads of sweat start to break over my face as my heart beats so fast.

The strange-looking handsome Werewolf behind me let out a long dry laugh as though he is thinking of what to say.

"This here is my Fiancée, Aerin." He says and pulls me closer, leans down, and places a kiss on my forehead.

The touch of his lip on my forehead sends shivers down my spine. My front bottom is twitching.

Fiancée?

I have a Fiancé and a name.

****

There is a very long pause since he made his last statement. The eternal silence and the looks on their faces make me think otherwise.

Why do they look like he just announced a strange thing to them? As he told them, he killed someone.

"How come we have never seen her around?" Another of the Elders asks.

This handsome stranger laughs again, a short brief laugh.

"Because Aerin here is a very busy darling. She is always trying to learn new things." He responds.

I didn't know that.

I didn't know all that he was saying about me.

But how come I can't remember a thing? Did something happen?

"I have questions." One of them says. He has a frown that is deeper than that of the others. He doesn't wait for a go-ahead before continuing. "Which pack is she from?" He questions.

"Paw Sky Pack." He responds quickly.

"Whose daughter is she?" The Elder continues.

Youu..." He tries to say before they shut him up.

"Let her speak. I'm sure she can speak." The Elder says, runs his eyes over me again, then adds, "Or can't she?"

"Of course, she can." He responds, giving my shoulder a brief squeeze.

"Then let her respond." Another Elder says.

I lift my eyes and tilt my head to look at my Fiancé. He sends me a smile, then a slight nod.

"You are safe." He assures.

I nod and turn to them.

"I'm..." I pause to think hard about it, realizing I can't remember that detail about myself. "I'm.." I saunter, then swallow a lump of saliva.

I can see the disapproval in their eyes. I feel my Fiancé tense up a little.

"It's fine, Aerin. You can talk now." He says.

I blink once, then let out some air. I can't afford to disappoint him.

"I'm my Parent's daughter," I say the next thing that comes to mind. It isn't a lie, after all. I am my parent's daughter.

There was tension hanging in the air. Their frowns turn into something scarier. My Fiancé laughs, and the others erupt in laughter too.

"Aerin is such a comedian." He says and gives me a soft push on the shoulder. "We should carry on with the meeting. We can't let her disturb us." He says and then nods.

"Rivers!" He calls out, and a hefty-looking Wolf steps closer, his eyes not leaving me.

"Take her to my room." He orders. Rivers nods and gestures me out of the room.

***

Rivers says nothing as he leads me towards my Fiancé's room. The face was void of emotion, unexplainable. He doesn't have a smile on, and his eyes say nothing.

But is it weird that I don't know his name?

I mean, my Fiancé.

"What's his name?" I ask and watch him stop in his track, and his hands still curled up behind his back, his head tilted towards my side to send me the most hateful glare I can ever imagine.

Is it a thing for them? This cold looks and all? Are we that way too? I mean, where I come from.

"Who?" He asks, his voice hoarse. He raises a brow to show his disapproval of something.

"My Fiancé," I respond with a smile on my face. I'm taught to believe that a smile can melt off Wolves' stone hearts.

"You don't know it?" He says, sounding more like a question than an exclamation. He seems surprised.

I give him a slight nod and look away, embarrassed that I didn't. I feel stupid right now, and I wouldn't say I like it.

He doesn't say a thing for a while.

"Alpha Liam." He finally responds and walks away before I fully digest his words.

Liam!

The name inscribes itself on my fragile heart. A smile curled up my lips as I remembered everything that had happened there. From the smell of him to the touch of him.

I look up to see that he has gone farther from me, so I hasten my pace to meet up. My feet are sore for no particular reason. It felt like I had faced something before then.

"Is he always like that?" I ask and watch him stop. He lets out a soft groan, his hand still not feeling his back as he turns entirely this time and bends lower to look at me. His face barely inches from me.

"I didn't say you could ask me questions." He says, his voice so harsh. It sends a shiver down my spine to my feet, causing them to get cold.

I look away to land my eyes on his feet, his big Black boots.

"I thought I could," I say, my voice lowering.

He attempts to say something but doesn't as he lets out some air.

"Let me take you to his room. I need to get back to the meeting." He says, turns around, and starts to walk away.