Page 184 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Then, a shadow detached from the wall.

A tall, dark figure stepped into view, cloaked in shadow. Zaiper’s stomach dropped.

Azrael.

Fuck. Fuck.

Zaiper bolted.

Azrael didn’t chase.

Zaiper took off to the wooded path, heart hammering, feet hammering harder. Ahead, Yaz appeared from behind a tree, sword drawn. Zaiper deviated sharply, cursing, veering in the other direction. He was running blind but he knew these woods like the back of his hands. He’d grown up in them.

Damn that vampire. He’d led him straight to slaughter. He should never have come tonight—not in his weakened state, not under an eclipse moon leeching the strength from his bones. But he just needed to stay hidden until morning. Then, he’d find a way to regroup and rise again.

He reached one of his old hiding spots, a small overhang in the forest, its hollow concealed by roots and stones. It was familiar and safe.

But the hairs on his arms lifted. His beast stirred—in fear.The feeling of prey.

You are being hunted.

Zaiper went rigid. “Who the fuck is there?!” he barked, voice rising. “I’m an Alpha! How dare you hunt me?!” His fangs bared. “Come out! Face me right now!”

Nothing. Just wind and birds. The rustle of trees.

That was the worst part of being prey: not seeing what hunts you. Not hearing it.

“Stop hiding, you coward!” he roared, spinning. “Face me!”

The woods fell silent. Even the crickets stopped.

Run!his instincts screamed.Run, right now!

He took off again, ducking, zig-zagging through the trees. He moved like a shadow, calling on every survival tactic he knew—ducking behind trunks, doubling back, crawling through roots. It didn’t help.That prickling sensation didn’t fade.

The presence behind him didn’t lessen, no matter what he did. In fact… it grew closer.

Daemonikai.

Only he could hunt him like this. As if Zaiper was filth. As if he didn’t even deserve to be captured honorably. Anger boiled—but fear won. Daemonikai would kill him.He’s going to kill me.

So, Zaiper ran. And ran.

His chest burned. Muscles shook. His body screamed in protest, but still, he ran. He found another hollow, a dense thicket of brush and dove in.

Seconds passed. Then a minute. Then three.

Unease returned.

Zaiper's lungs seized.

He crawled out and bolted again, unable to resist. He didn’t know how long the chase lasted. It felt infinite. By the time he reached the clearing, sweat dripped into his eyes. His limbs felt like stone and he stumbled.

A hand clamped around his neck.

He was yanked back.Slammedagainst a tree. Hard.

His vision spun. There, inches from his face—calm as the stars, deadly as a god—stood Daemonikai.

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