~ASHTON~

I miss her deeply—my mate. It's now day three in the dangerous, shadowy woods of the Abyss, a place fraught with mystery and danger. So far, we hadn't come face to face with any of the lurking beasts but I knew it was only a matter of time before that happened.

Hazel and I have explored the forest tirelessly, but so far, our search for food has yielded nothing. The stillness of the forest is overwhelming, and I can't shake the feeling that the soul keepers are deliberately hiding the resources we need to survive.

It was impossible not to find a single animal to eat out here. Since the soul keepers controlled every single thing that happened in these woods—from the movements of the animals to the natural conditions—I knew my assumptions were more than likely true. These people, they were sick in their heads, willing to go to any lengths—trapping, lying and even more barbaric methods—to fuel their twisted entertainment and satisfy their relentless craving for cruelty.

This was all just one big fucking game to them, playing with the emotions of innocent folks.

Hazel was becoming worried and I could tell that she was letting her guard down. I was desperately trying to keep my hands off my step-sister for as long as I possibly could, battling the intense hunger. I knew that, in time, circumstances might force us into an intimate situation, but for now, I was actively resisting it with all my strength.

I was aware that my mate was watching our every move, and maybe that was where I was getting the strength to resist. I wanted her to see that I was at least fighting back against the soul keeper's wicked manipulations, refusing to give in easily. It fucking hurt to know that she could see everything happening here and I couldn't see her at all. I shook that thought out of my head. I had to try and focus on the challenges ahead of me. This was just the third day and already things were not going as planned.

We had five fucking months still to follow. I run a hand down my sweaty face. One way or another, I had to get food for us. I could not continue like this for long.

My footsteps echo as I approach Hazel after yet another failed hunt. She looks relieved to see me, after not wanting me to leave her alone in the first place. I can see the hunger in her gaze every time that our eyes lock. She wants food, and I want to get it for her. I have to protect her, my step-father would expect that of me. The last thing he requested was for me to protect Hazel as much as I could. She knew nothing about fighting and now she's thrown into the woods of abyss and has to fight just to survive. I know that I am the only hope that she has for survival.

"Any luck?" she asks me with hopeful eyes, her gaze searching my face for reassurance, even though she can clearly see that my hands are empty.

"I found a river a few minutes away," I tell her, my voice steady despite the tension in the air. It's not food, but the water can help quench the hunger gnawing at us, and perhaps fend off the worst for a little while.

Her lips look dry and cracked, and I could tell from her voice that her throat is parched. She tries to hide her disappointment, her shoulders slightly slumped, but her voice remains determined as she says, "Let's go to the river then."

Suddenly, I hear a faint, unnatural rustling sound nearby, a noise that instantly signals danger lurking close by. Having trained my senses over the years, I was used to listening for subtle cues like this. Unlike Hazel, who often remained unaware until the threat was imminent, I could sense the presence of danger from a distance, allowing me to prepare or escape in time.

I gently but firmly grab her by the waist, pressing her softly against the rough bark of a tree. My other hand quickly covers her mouth to stifle any sounds. I can see the panic flicker in Hazel's wide eyes as she desperately tries to stay silent, her body tense with fear.

I notice the faint sound of footsteps and the distant echo of a hunter's voice, searching diligently for us. If we remain perfectly still and silent, there's a chance he might overlook our hiding spot.

Hunters were one of the mysterious creatures that inhabited these woods. They were incredibly fast, their piercing red eyes glowing ominously in the dark, yet they possessed a human-like appearance that made them even more unsettling. Their faces were gaunt, with sharp fangs visible when they snarled, and claws that gleamed dangerously beneath the moonlight. Their skin was extremely pale, almost ghostly, contrasting sharply with the darkness around them. True to their name, these hunters relentlessly stalked and preyed upon anything that crossed their path, moving with silent precision as they searched for their victims.

Hazel's shallow, nervous breaths cause a faint, rapid rise and fall in her chest, distracting me momentarily. I slowly look down at her face, which is flushed—a delicate pink that deepens with her rising anxiety. We are both gazing into each other's eyes, and tension thickens the air around us, making my jaw tighten involuntarily. I can't seem to look away from her—her expressive eyes, the slight quiver of her lips—and this strange, almost alarming pull I feel toward her.

For the first time, I notice how red and full her lips appear, as if they are subtly swollen from the tension between us. Even her skin seems to have an unusual, radiant glow, almost luminous under the moonlight.

Hazel's eyes suddenly widen in fear, snapping me out of my trance. It's only then that I realize the hunter was here.

Ah fuck.