Ember's lungs burned from exertion as she ran through the dark streets, blindly darting between houses and through backyards. Macabre faces of goblins and ghouls stared out at her from every doorstep and window. There was nowhere to turn, to hide where some glowing decoration wouldn't reveal her position.
Haunting music came from a home somewhere near. The loud creaking of a door, recorded to scare young trick-or-treaters, made her heart race.
Even though Rick stayed behind, he couldn't buy her much time. Two against one were never good odds. She kept running. Her heart pounded in her chest, her lungs ached with the effort to breathe and her body trembled with exertion. Stopping, Ember attempted to gather her bearings.
The mournful howl of a wolf, closely followed by another, mixed with the frightening music. Thick fog crept over the ground, covering the
landscape, hiding the approach of anything near.
Finally making a decision, Ember turned and ran toward the woods, hoping to make it to the stream nearby where the water could mask her scent.
This wasn't the first time they hunted her and, she was sure, it wouldn't be the last. If they caught her, they would do unspeakable things and she'd be powerless to stop them. She would be theirs for another twelve long months of captivity before she could attempt another escape.
She splashed into the water just moments before a large, black wolf broke through the trees followed by two more. They sniffed the air near the stream and howled at the moon.
Staying hidden in the shadows, Ember lifted her feet, letting the water carry her downstream as they circled the bank, their noses pressed to the ground. She watched two of them shift shape beneath the silvery light of the full moon.
Their bodies were perfect. Tall and muscular, they exuded masculinity and animal magnetism. Ember snorted at that thought and brought her hand up to her mouth to cover the sound. Water splashed as her arm broke the surface, drawing the attention of the leader.
"C'mere, little girl. Come see the big bad wolf. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to eat you." His deep voice carried through the night. Ember was unsure if it was the slight Germanic accent that gave her chills or the cool water that caused the gooseflesh to rise on her skin and make her shiver.
She cast her gaze about, looking for a place to hide. It was only a matter of time before they found her. Ember knew what they wanted. It was what they always wanted when they found her. She trembled with a mixture of anticipation and dread. She eluded them for a long time, this time. Her punishment would remain the same—another year of captivity.
The sound of splashing water was Ember's only warning before warm hands closed over her shoulders, holding her in place. If she was stronger, she could have gotten away, but they kept her weak. Now she was theirs again. She'd been so busy watching the men search the bank, she forgot about the one that neglected to shift back into his human form.
"Gotcha." Warm breath fanned her cheek and she couldn't stop the shiver of anticipation that tore through her.
Every year she escaped and they pursued her. Each time they thought up some new way to torment her. No matter how hard she tried, there was no escape. Just as there was no escaping the relentless ache between her legs.
"You gave us a merry chase, Ember." Nathaniel scowled down at her, his eyes glowing red through the moonlight. Silvery light glinted on blue-black hair as he grabbed her. "I don't know why you continue to run from us every year when you know what will happen."
Ember did know what would happen if she escaped. She knew it, yet she had to try. Every year her instincts took over and she saw them as enemies on this day. Nervously, she licked her lips, then nodded and met his gaze, her chin held high. "I know what will happen. I know you will pursue me and you'll punish the part of me that runs from you. It's in my nature. You know this. I couldn't stop running from you anymore than you could deny yourself the pursuit."
They surrounded her. Their body heat seeped into her pores, giving her a rush of energy. They only gave her a little. Just enough to sate the unholy demon inside her that sought to drain the lifeforce from unsuspecting humans.
Ember's monster basked in the flood of energy they gave her, then gasped when Nate reached down and palmed her suddenly naked mound, two fingers delving deep into her already dripping sex.
