Kasia's eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation. The rogues were sizing her up like a piece of meat, their intentions clear in their hungry gazes. She knew that even in her Lycan form, she couldn't take them all on alone. But backing down was not an option for someone like Kasia Thorne.
"Nice night for a swim, isn't it?" One of the men sneered. "You look like you could use some company."
"Thanks, but I prefer swimming solo," Kasia replied, her voice laced with disdain.
"Aw, don't be like that," another man chimed in. "We're just looking for a little fun, and you're exactly what we're looking for."
"Find it elsewhere," Kasia growled. The burning sensation surged through her body again, causing her to almost double over in pain. What was happening to her? Why was she still feeling like this? Why did the rogues not smell as bad anymore?
"Feisty, aren't you?" The third man taunted. "I like that in a woman. Let me quench that burn you're feeling."
Kasia's heart raced as she faced off against the four rogue werewolves, their menacing forms circling her like hungry predators. She braced herself for an attack, but was taken aback when one of them spoke to her with a mocking tone.
"Too bad, I don't like anything about you," Kasia taunted. "I think you'll probably burn me in a different way that would require antibiotics."
"We got ourselves a smart mouth. Let's see what else we can do with that pretty mouth of yours. Why don't you shift back? Let's see that pretty form of yours," another rogue chimed in, his eyes filled with lust and malice.
But Kasia stood her ground, refusing to give in to their demands. "No, thank you. You are intruding on pack territory. You need to leave," she retorted, though she wasn't sure where her confidence came from.
As the rogues took a menacing step forward, Kasia braced herself for a fight, ready to defend her life and prove that she wouldn't be undone by this unwanted transformation.
"Let's see you make us, she-wolf," one of the rogues sneered, flashing his sharp fangs.
The sound of a ferocious snarl echoed through the forest, causing all eyes to turn towards its source. Ethan, in his massive Lycan form, emerged from the shadows like darkness itself took form. He bared his teeth, exuding an aura of pure power. His eyes locked on the intruders, daring them to make a move against Kasia.
With one swift movement, Ethan descended upon the rogues. Two were able to shift and put up a fight against him, but it didn't last long as Ethan tore them apart with ease. The other two had no chance against his brute strength and were quickly tore limb from limb.
As Ethan finished off the last rogue, Kasia felt the urge to flee but also go to Ethan. But before she could even move, Ethan turned to look at her, his maw covered in blood. His eyes were dark and wild. Ethan's nose flared as he took in her scent. His long tongue licked his maw.
"Come to me, my she-wolf," he growled at her.
Kasia's breath came in short, shallow gasps as she stood frozen in the shadows. Her body was still trembling from the adrenaline rush that had surged through her veins just moments before. She could feel the heat radiating off of Ethan even from this distance, his black lycan form towering over her. With every fiber of her being, Kasia wanted to run towards him, to feel the warmth and protection of his embrace. But at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was nothing more than prey in his eyes.
"Kasia," Ethan growled again, his voice low and guttural. "Come to me."
Kasia hesitated, torn between her desire for closeness and her instinct to flee. How could she let herself be drawn to him?
Seeing that Kasia was not coming to him, Ethan took a cautious step towards her, his massive paws crushing the undergrowth beneath them. Instinctively, Kasia lowered her ears in submission and backed up, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of vulnerability in his presence.
"Kasia," Ethan said softly, his voice human once more as he shifted back to his normal form. "You don't have to submit to me. I would never force you."
Her hazel eyes looked into his, searching for any deception. But all she saw was sincerity and concern. "Did you know this was happening to me?" Kasia asked.
Ethan shook his head, the moonlight casting shadows across his chiseled features. "No, I just found out. I promise you, everything will be explained, but first, we need to head back to the pack house. Can you shift back?"
Kasia's heart ached at the thought of losing control of herself completely, but she couldn't find the strength to transform back into her human form. "I can't," she whispered. "I don't know how, and my...my wolf says I won't be able to until I accept this."
Ethan straightened up to his full height, his powerful Alpha presence washing over her. He focused all his energy and intent on a single command. "Shift back, Kasia."
The sheer force of his Alpha call left her no choice but to obey. Her body began to contort and shift painfully as she transformed back into her human form. The pain tore through her muscles and bones, causing her to cry out in agony. As soon as the transformation was complete, Ethan moved closer but kept a respectful distance, allowing her time to recover.
"Next time, it won't hurt as much," he reassured her gently. "Your body will adapt."
Kasia panted, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to steady herself. "That's not it," she managed to say between breaths. "It feels like my body is on fire."
Ethan's nostrils flared as he picked up on Kasia's scent again, his mind racing with the implications of what she was experiencing. Could she be going into heat? The thought sent his own desires surging, but he fought to keep his composure. Kasia needed him now more than ever.
Before he could consider the situation further, Kasia suddenly pounced on him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pressed her lips forcefully against his. Caught off guard, Ethan reflexively kissed her back, their passions fueled by the primal urges coursing through them both.
"Control, control," Ethan chanted in his mind as he struggled to regain some semblance of restraint. But Kasia would not be denied-she growled possessively, her breath hot against his skin, as she whispered just one word: "Mine." And with that, she sank her teeth into his neck, claiming him as her own.