Chapter 3: The Hunt
The next morning started like every other—cold, loud, and cruel.
I had barely opened my eyes when the sharp crack of a stick hit the wooden floor beside my head.
"Up, rat!" one of the older maids hissed, arms crossed. "The Ravenwood sons asked for you."
I blinked up at her, confused. "Me?"
She scoffed. "Don’t act surprised. You think you're special now just because they came home yesterday? Don’t keep them waiting. You know how they are."
I sat up quickly, dragging my stiff legs over the side of the mattress. My back still ached from yesterday’s endless cleaning. My body felt drained, but I didn’t dare ask questions. If the Ravenwood sons wanted me, I had no choice.
After quickly washing my face and throwing on my thin black uniform, I made my way out into the morning mist. The sun was barely up, and the air had a sharp chill. Dew covered the lawn, sparkling like glass under the early light.
The boys were outside already, near the edge of the woods that stretched behind the mansion. They looked relaxed, leaning against the trees, dressed in sleek outdoor gear like they had all the time in the world.
They weren’t boys anymore.
They had grown into tall, strong men. Built like athletes, sharp jaws, cold eyes. Each one looked like he belonged in a magazine. But the cruelty in their smiles hadn’t changed. It just matured into something more dangerous.
Darius was the first to spot me. He smirked. “Finally. Took you long enough, maid.”
Ronan stepped forward, twirling a dagger lazily between his fingers. “You sleep in these days, Aria? Getting soft on us?”
Elias laughed. “She’s probably still worn out from yesterday. Poor thing, all that silverware must’ve drained her.”
Kael was standing quietly at the edge, arms crossed. His eyes met mine for a second—but there was nothing in them. No kindness. No warmth. Just the same emptiness I remembered.
"You're coming with us today," Ronan said.
"Why?"
"Because we said so."
I glanced at the trees behind them. "Into the woods?"
Elias grinned. "We're going hunting."
I frowned. "But I don’t know how to—"
“You’re not here to hunt,” Darius cut in, voice low. “You’re the prey.”
My heart stuttered.
“What?”
“Oh, don’t look so scared,” Elias said, laughing. “It’s just a game. You’ll run. We’ll chase. Simple.”
They stepped closer, surrounding me like a pack.
“Unless you’re too slow now,” Ronan mocked. “You used to be faster when we were kids. Shame. Thought maids worked hard.”
Elias leaned in, his voice a cruel whisper. “You’ve grown up, though. Got a little figure now. Even got some boobs. Not that it helps. Still flat where it counts.”
Darius chuckled. “Still ugly.”
“Still ours,” Kael said quietly. His voice was the only one that didn’t drip with laughter. It was cold, firm. Like a statement of fact.
I stood still. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t cry. I just stared at them, my face empty.
Let them bark. I wasn’t here to feel anything.
“Let’s begin,” Ronan said, cracking his neck. “You get a head start. Two minutes. Then we come for you.”
“Why?” I asked. “What’s the point?”
He smiled wide, showing teeth.
“Because we’re bored.”
The four of them took off their jackets, then their shirts, revealing the marks along their chests and shoulders—black ink-like patterns pulsing with energy.
Then I saw it. Their eyes glowed gold. Claws stretched from their hands. Bones shifted, twisting under their skin as fur erupted and jaws lengthened.
In seconds, four massive wolves stood where they had been—tall, sleek, powerful.
They growled, low and deep.
My breath caught in my throat.
Ronan barked, signaling the countdown. Two minutes.
I ran.
I ran through the trees, branches slapping against my face, roots threatening to trip me with every step. The forest was cold and endless, the fog rising up like smoke from the ground.
I didn’t know where to go, just that I had to keep moving. My feet ached. My lungs burned.
But I heard them. Their paws pounding the earth. Their growls getting closer.
This wasn’t a game.
They were really hunting me.
And then—I tripped.
I crashed to the ground hard, knees scraping against rocks, hands digging into the dirt.
I turned my head and saw them.
Four wolves stepping through the mist.
They growled low and deep. Then—without warning—they pounced.
I screamed and ran.
Branches clawed at my arms as I pushed through the trees. My lungs burned, and my feet slipped in the mud. I had no idea where I was going, just away. Away from the snapping jaws behind me. Away from the monsters I had grown up with.
But they were faster.
One passed me on the left. Another darted behind me. I tripped over a root and hit the ground hard. Dirt filled my mouth. My knees scraped raw.
I rolled over and looked up.
They surrounded me now.
Four wolves. Bigger than life. Staring. Waiting.
I trembled as I pushed myself up on my hands. My whole body shook. My breath came in gasps.
“Please,” I whispered.
They stepped closer.
“I-I’ll do anything,” I cried, voice breaking. “Please don’t kill me. I’ll do whatever you want. Just... please.”
One of the wolves—Ronan, I think—moved forward. His form shimmered and shifted.
In seconds, he was human again. Smirking. Naked, but not ashamed.
“Really?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Anything?”
The others shifted one by one. Elias leaned against a tree, Darius wiped mud from his chest, Kael simply stared.
I was still on my knees, mud on my face, clothes torn and clinging to my skin.
This wasn’t over.
This was just the beginning.
I looked up at them—all four of them, standing like shadows with cruel smiles.
Neither did I know… this was the beginning of hell for me.