Who is the hunter?

"Or is this another trick from that useless fly, Kyle?"

He didn't hide his annoyance, radiating uncontrolled power and an aura of murderous intent.

Eris gulped. This was her last chance, and she knew she had to take it. With rare determination in her eyes, she spoke the words she had rehearsed thousands of times in the darkness of her prison.

"It's not a trick… I can cure you, but in exchange, you must take me with you."

The next thing she felt was a strong hand tightening around her neck. She didn't see it coming, nor did she hear it. The difference in strength between their races was overwhelming.

Aleksi's grip was so tight that Eris could barely breathe.

But more terrifying than the suffocation was the fear—the helplessness of being prey. Every attempt to gulp air was in vain, her body tensed with each passing second

But she couldn't give up now.

"Are... y-you going to lose... your only chance to be healed?"

Eris gritted her teeth and locked eyes with Aleksi.

His gray gaze, despite everything, seemed to hold more than just disdain—perhaps curiosity, or even a hint of doubt.

"What do you know?" he growled, tightening his grip, his fingers pressing into the delicate skin of her neck. Disbelief mingled with his fury.

How could a weak girl like her hold the answer to something that had tormented him for so long? Who assured him it wasn't a trap?

With trembling lips and her vision blurring, Eris barely managed to whisper the words she had rehearsed in her mind.

"You…" She tried to swallow, but it was useless. Sweat beaded on her skin, her heart pounding so loudly. But she pressed on. "The fearsome wolf still doesn't get it? Isn't it a little disappointing that the villain everyone fears is so blind?"

Aleksi lifted her into the air, and she could only grasp at his wrist with what little strength remained. She couldn't show weakness—not to him. She had to provoke him, prove her worth, show him she was more than just a fragile, helpless body.

"I sent you a clear message… If you want to heal, find me… Wasn't that enough?" Her voice was a weak whisper, barely audible, but he heard it clearly.

His grip loosened slightly, but not enough to offer real relief.

Doubt crept into his mind. He had sensed something strange in her scent, something that made part of him believe her. But another part—still stinging from her audacity—resisted. Who did she think she was?

Eris, on the verge of collapse, felt her fragile body failing. Even a simple push from this man could kill her. Yet, she fought to maintain her composure, to keep speaking, because this was her only chance to convince him.

"So, wolf? Will you accept my offer, or wait for someone else to notice your weakness?"

Aleksi inhaled deeply.

She was wearing the perfume she had been looking for.

But there was something else beneath it—something familiar, intoxicating.

An ominous sensation stirred in his chest.

Could it be possible? No.

He wouldn't accept it.

He couldn't.

"What are you?"

"Free me from this prison, and I will answer your questions, little wolf."

"Speak." His voice was low, a growl thick with menace. "I'm not in the mood for your games."

Eris tried to draw a breath, but her vision was already fading to black. Though Aleksi had loosened his grip, her body had reached its limit.

Memories of bad endings flooded her mind, making her shiver.

It was over.

She couldn't do it.

he wouldn't be able to convince him.

She began to shake, stressed and anxious, as if she was suffering the effects of a past trauma.

She had no tangible proof, no way to make him believe her.

And now, her body had betrayed her, muscles locking up, unable to stop the paralyzing fear consuming her.

She saw the cruel punishments of her brother: the beatings, the hunger, the filthy water.

Those memories seemed insignificant compared to what would come next.

"I… j-just… please…"

Without warning, Aleksi released her, letting her drop to the floor with a heavy thud. Eris gasped for air, hands instinctively clutching her bruised neck as she fought to breathe.

Her dress clung to her sweaty skin, her legs trembling like jelly.

"What were you saying?" Aleksi's voice had shifted—no longer a furious roar, but a low, dangerous growl. "What do you know?"

Barely able to stay upright, Eris looked at the Alpha, the man whose name she had feared and revered in equal measure. His gaze was intense, focused entirely on her, making her feel small, vulnerable—but also giving her a chance she couldn't afford to waste.

"I can… cure you," she rasped. "But if you don't act soon… the disease will worsen… it will spread… the doom of your pack…"

Eris could hardly speak. Every word felt like a battle, but she had to make him understand. He had to see her as a solution—a lifeline. And yet, at the same time, he couldn't uncover her deception.

"Don't waste my time, girl. If you can't do it, you'll pay the price." His tone was cold and unyielding, but beneath it—subtle, almost imperceptible—a flicker of doubt remained.

Pain coursed through Eris's body and mind. With great effort, she swallowed hard. "I can do it… but… I need something in return." Her voice was barely a whisper, a plea disguised as a challenge. "Take me with you. Get me out of here. I… I can't… bear it anymore. I can't… live in this place…"

A long silence stretched between them, dense and heavy. Eris watched Aleksi, who remained motionless—his face impassive, but his eyes… those gray eyes… seemed to darken, growing more cautious. He weighed her words, considering the offer.

Something in her gaze made him hesitate.

Finally, Aleksi took a step back. "Why should I trust you? You're just a girl…" His tone lacked the same confidence. "What makes you think I'll do what you ask?"

"I'm not just a girl." Eris coughed.

Aleksi frowned and stepped closer.

Was this real? Was it possible this girl held the cure?

"Don't waste my time, girl. If you can't do it, you'll pay."

Eris wanted to curse this alpha's stubbornness.

Again, silence stretched between them. 

Finally, he exhaled heavily, as if making a decision that weighed on him.

He approached her with firm steps, grabbing her arm—not with force, but with a strange gentleness.

"Fine," he murmured, almost as if convincing himself. "You have one chance. But if you lie to me… you won't like the consequences."

A flicker of relief sparked in Eris's chest.

Maybe—just maybe—she had a chance to escape her fate.

But the price of freedom would be higher than she could ever imagine.

She had done it.

It was the last thought she had before she passed out.