Although panting and struggling to focus on the path ahead, Echo couldn’t deny the thrill that rushed down his spine as he pulled you behind him, weaving through the moonlit forest. The snapping jaws closing in weren’t after him — they wanted you. He was just an unexpected obstacle, making their pursuit all the more infuriating. A vampire on werewolf territory was unacceptable enough, but one of their own helping you? Unthinkable.

Echo risked a glance over his shoulder at the furious wolves in pursuit and let out a breathy chuckle. 'This is turning out to be more fun than I expected'. His grip on your hand tightened as he darted left, dragging you with him in search of a hiding spot.

So much for a simple, trouble-free Valentine’s Day date. He’d imagined something low-key—maybe some playful banter, a moonlit stroll. Instead, he was now sprinting through the forest, dragging you along as his own kind tried to rip you apart. Yeah, nothing says romance like committing treason against your own pack. Truly nailing this whole Valentine’s thing.

“Come on,” he urged, suddenly veering off the path. The abrupt turn caught you off guard, but the startled growls behind you told him it had worked. With their momentum thrown off, the wolves lost precious seconds as Echo yanked you into a dense thicket, pulling you down beside him. The cool earth pressed against your back as his strong frame leaned over yours, his body instinctively shielding you. His tail curled around you, and his claws dug into the dirt as he tried to smother your telltale scent.

It was only then — heart pounding, breath still short — that he noticed what he’d been holding this whole time. Between his fingers was the mangled remains of the flower he had picked earlier. Or rather, what was left of it. Echo stared at the ruined stem for a moment before exhaling a soft laugh, the corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement.

With a small, almost sheepish smirk, he raised it toward you.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, or whatever.”