Alpha Damon.

earth and pine. The forest loomed on every side, dense and wild, its shadows stretching long and dark as twilight crept over the horizon. Ele

the clinic, its windows glowing faintly from the inside lights she'd left on. Another long day of tre

e buzzed on the console. She glanced at the scr

el

ld hear was her own breathing and the faint rustle of wind th

't have come

phone tightene

ck Hollow.

ne wen

omething about the tone-a weight, a warning-that made her stomach churn. She shook her

sat at the edge of town, nestled among the trees. It had belonged to her mother once, though Elena barely remembered the woman who

eling of being watched as she locked the door behind her. She double-checke

hen the sound came. A low, guttural growl, s

n, this time closer, just outside the kitchen window. She edged towar

whispered to herself. "

through the curtains

her from the darkness. They were too high

red, and for a moment, she thought the creature had gone. But then she

?" she called, h

g silence. Her heart pounded in her chest a

en it

le

was guttural, inhuman

ng massive had slammed into it.

ouder now, more commandi

oed outside. A second voice, deeper and mo

's under my

chest heaved as she gripped the knife, her gaze fixed on

ed her, sharp

as smoother, more controlled, but no less

I will!"

a sigh. "I didn't want t

own. A man stood on the threshold, tall and broad-shouldered, wit

ments slow and deliberate.

" Elena said, ra

rrender. "Elena, you're i

e hell

e said calmly. "I'm the al

words registering slowly.

if he could see the disbelief and fear warring within her. "

he knife faltered

grave. "Magnus Kane is after you. If you don't

This couldn't be real. It had t

he eyes outside the windo

want with me?"

nt than you realize. And if Magnus gets his way,

in silence, the weight

ser, his voice dropp

u, Elena. I'm the