A Stranger in the Woods: Alex's POV

The forest was a haven for Alex, a place where the chaos of his thoughts could unravel in the quiet embrace of nature. Tonight, however, the air was different, charged with an energy that he couldn’t ignore. He had wandered through these woods countless times, each step a reflection of his growing impatience. Centuries of searching for his beloved had weighed heavily on him, and though he tried to suppress it, the hope of finding her burned stubbornly in the corners of his mind.

Beloved one. The phrase stirred something deep within him, a yearning so fierce it was almost painful. For vampires, the bond with their beloved wasn’t just love—it was destiny. It was the promise of completeness, the only thing that could calm the unrelenting storm inside him.

He didn’t expect tonight to be different.

As he walked, the moonlight wove through the branches above, casting fragmented patterns on the forest floor. The familiar rhythm of the forest was interrupted by a faint sound—a rustling, a whisper of movement. He froze, every sense sharpening as he focused on the sound.

And then he saw her.

She was standing in a clearing, her figure illuminated by the faint glow of the moon. Her chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the silvery light, but it was her eyes that arrested him. Blue as a summer sky, yet filled with something deeper—a mixture of fear, defiance, and curiosity.

Alex felt his breath hitch. It wasn’t just her beauty that struck him; it was the undeniable, overwhelming connection that coursed through him the moment their eyes met. This was her. His beloved.

The realization hit him like a lightning strike, igniting a fire in his chest. He had spent centuries imagining this moment, but nothing could have prepared him for the sheer intensity of it. His instincts screamed at him to approach her, to tell her who she was to him, but he forced himself to stay in the shadows for a moment longer. She didn’t know him. She didn’t know what she meant to him.

When he finally stepped forward, her gaze snapped to him, and he could see the fear flicker across her face.

“Who are you?” she asked, her voice trembling but laced with determination.

Alex studied her, his golden eyes scanning every detail of her face. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her she had nothing to fear from him, but he couldn’t find the words. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said instead, his voice steady but edged with urgency.

Her stance shifted, and he could see her trying to steel herself. “And you should? Do you always sneak up on people like this?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips despite the situation, but it faded quickly. “This is no place for you. The forest doesn’t take kindly to strangers.”

“I can take care of myself,” she shot back, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her nerves.

Alex’s gaze flicked to the wolf lurking at the edge of the clearing. The animal’s amber eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, and Alex could feel the tension radiating off it. He knew the wolf wasn’t here by chance; it had followed her.

When he looked back at her, his expression softened, if only slightly. He didn’t want to frighten her, but she needed to understand the danger she was in. “You should leave,” he said, his tone firm but less harsh than before. “Go back to where it’s safe.”

“Why?” she asked, defiance lighting up her eyes. “What’s so dangerous about this place?”

Alex hesitated. He couldn’t tell her the truth—not yet. She wouldn’t believe him, and even if she did, it would only make her more vulnerable. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said finally, his voice low.

“Try me,” she challenged, taking a step closer. Her bravery stirred something in him, but it also filled him with dread. She didn’t understand what she was walking into.

Before he could answer, the wolf growled, its body tense and ready to strike. Alex’s attention snapped back to it, his muscles coiling in preparation. He could sense its aggression, its territorial nature clashing with his own presence.

“Go,” he said sharply, his gaze locking onto hers. “Now.”

For a moment, she hesitated, her lips parting as if she wanted to argue. But then she saw the urgency in his eyes, and without another word, she turned and ran.

Alex watched her go, his chest tightening with every step she took away from him. He wanted to follow, to ensure she made it out of the forest safely, but the wolf wouldn’t let him leave so easily.

The creature stepped into the clearing, its growl deep and menacing. Alex turned to face it, his golden eyes narrowing. He could feel its hostility, its desire to claim dominance in this part of the forest.

“She doesn’t belong to you, vampire,” the wolf snarled, its voice guttural and filled with venom.

Alex’s expression hardened. “She doesn’t belong to anyone,” he said coldly. “But she’s mine to protect.”

The wolf bared its teeth, taking a step closer. “You have no claim here. Stay away from her.”

Alex’s jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides. He didn’t have time for this. “I won’t warn you again,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave her alone.”

For a moment, the wolf seemed to consider his words. Then, with a final growl, it retreated into the shadows, its form disappearing into the trees.

Alex exhaled, his body relaxing as the immediate threat passed. But his mind was still racing.

Who was she? Why had she been drawn to the forest tonight? And why had the wolf been so intent on keeping her away from him?

As he began to walk back through the woods, her face lingered in his thoughts, her blue eyes haunting him. He didn’t know her name. He didn’t know where she had come from. But he knew one thing for certain.

He would see her again.