The man's glowing eyes made her heart pound against her ribcage. This was just a dream. She could handle this. Kasia mustered up her courage and demanded, "Who are you? What are you doing in my home?"
"So brave, but I can smell your fear. It's…delicious," the man responded, stepping out of the shadows.
"I will ask you again. What are you doing in my home?" Kasia demanded again, ignoring the man's attempt to scare her.
"You already know me, don't you? My, you've turned into such a fine woman. Your parents would be so proud," the man taunted.
Anger bubbled up inside Kasia, almost replacing the fear that she felt. How dare he mention her parents! They didn't deserve the death that was given to them.
"Don't you dare speak of them!" Kasia spat. "I don't know how you manage to escape me, but I will make you pay for what you did to my parents."
"I heard you were fierce even when the odds were against you," the man chuckled.
"Are you trying to compliment me?" Kasia asked in disgust.
"It's not obvious. You are a rare gem worth every compliment that can be given," the man responded, and the bile returned as Kasia wanted to vomit.
Kasia glared at him. "There is nothing that you can say that will make me feel anything towards you. I don't how you invaded my mind but know this I will avenge my parents. I'll make sure of it."
The man laughed as he took a step closer. "And how do you plan on doing that, Kasia?" he taunted. "You're nothing but a weak, human now."
"Being human doesn't make me weak," she responded firmly. "I killed your kind as a human. I will kill you."
"Bold words," the man smirked, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "But you didn't kill my kind."
His statement confused Kasia. What did he mean she didn't kill his kind? The werewolves had murdered her parents. She had seen them.
"It seems that you must not remember. It was probably hard for your young mind to understand it and the wolfsbane in your system is not helping," the man continued with his fake sincerity.
The mention of wolfsbane caused her memories to come back. She recalled her fight with Amanda and how the coward drugged her when she was losing. This was why she could no longer feel Deva.
"No need to worry. It is only temporary, but it will allow me enough time to do what I need to do," the man said.
"So, this is your doing," Kasia hissed, balling her fists at her sides. "Are you working with Amanda?"
The man laughed again. The sound made her skin crawl. "Oh, it's quite the opposite. She works for me."
"Makes sense. She is too much of an idiot to do any of this on her own," Kasia responded, trying to remain calm. "Who are you?"
"Kenneth," he replied," The Rogue King."
Kasia froze, the name triggering vivid memories of Lily's fury whenever Kenneth was mentioned. He was the monster that had killed his own kind for his selfish ambitions of ruling over his people. He was the one that sided with the Hunters.
"Why after all this time you are here now talking to me knowing that I want your head on a spike? What do you want from me?" Kasia asked.
"I need a mate," Kenneth said simply. "And it seems that the Moon Goddess has shown grace to me by providing me with another blessed blood: a red Lycan."
"Absolutely not," Kasia responded almost immediately. "I already have a mate."
"Ah, yes," Kenneth smirked, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Your precious Alpha King, the one that Amanda wants so badly. But tell me, does he truly deserve someone like you?"
"Your opinion doesn't matter," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll never be your mate. I'd rather die."
"Such a pity," Kenneth sighed, his expression mockingly sympathetic. "But we both know you won't be able to resist me for long. And when you finally break, Kasia, I'll make sure to remind you of this moment."
"You really think you're worthy of me?" she stated, defiance pulsing through her veins. "You murdered my parents and have caused pain and suffering to countless others. Why would I ever be with someone like you?"
"Standards," Kenneth scoffed. "After you betrayed the Hunters, betrayed your own kind? How noble of you. You are no better than me."
Kasia's frown deepened, anger fueling her words. "I betrayed no one. I paid them back for what they did for my sister and I and I suffered for it. I owe them nothing else," she shot back. "I now know the truth of them. I don't associate with murderers like them- or like you."
"That's all nice and good, but you really don't have a choice in the matter. It took a lot of time and effort to get you, and I don't plan on letting you go," Kenneth replied. "I'll give you to the count of ten to find a weapon or run. If I catch you, Kasia, you belong to me."
"Are you serious? Just get out of my head and leave me alone," Kasia snapped.
"You still think you're dreaming? I'll make sure to show you how very real I am after the countdown," Kenneth said. His words made a shiver go up Kasia's spine. Was he telling the truth?
"Ten," Kenneth began, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
Kasia's mind raced, searching for any possible advantage. She recalled the layout of the house, every hidden nook and corner. She couldn't hide from him. She needed to get to the kitchen. The idea of going in there made her body freeze up.
"Nine," Kenneth continued, his voice taunting her.
Kasia took a deep breath. She knew that she couldn't allow fear to control her actions. Her parents were dead. There was no monster in the kitchen waiting for her.
"Eight," the countdown went on.
Kasia darted out of the room and into the kitchen. She was met with the same cleanliness that was in the den. Kasia began pulling open the drawers, looking for the butcher knives. "This will have to do," Kasia thought and armed herself with two.
"Seven," Kenneth's voice grew louder.
Kasia positioned herself behind the kitchen table. She would use it to create space. Every fiber in her being told her to run and hide; however, she was not prey and she would not act like it. That was the first rule of the Hunters.