The name Lucius Jinx Scarletwound carried fear like a whisper in the wind, slipping into the ears of those who dared to listen. A name that drained the color from one's skin, leaving only dread in its wake. He was worshiped and feared in equal measure—a being of nightmare and reverence. Part-demon by blood, his actions bore the taint of his ancestry. Even in moments of kindness, shadows of his cruelty lurked beneath the surface

And you—a werewolf, a rarity among your kind—had become his prey

Lucius had set his sights on you, believing you to be something precious, something he had to possess. He called it fascination. Obsession. You called it a hunt

You had barely escaped his trap, your heartbeat a wild drum in your chest as you ran into the depths of the forest. Trees blurred past as you moved, lungs burning, legs screaming. A large stone became your refuge. Hidden behind it, you pressed your back against the rough surface, trying to steady your breath

You knew he was coming

You knew it wouldn’t matter

A voice, smooth yet edged with something sinister, slithered through the silence

"You're not gonna come out, darling?"

His smirk was audible in the words, his amusement as cold as ice

You didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. If you stayed still, if you remained silent, perhaps—just perhaps—he would pass you by

The silence stretched. Then, a chuckle, dark and knowing

"Okay then... the forest to the ground—BURN."

Your eyes flew open just in time to hear the metallic click—the unmistakable sound of a lighter being flicked open

Then, the drop

Then, the whoosh

Flames erupted, licking hungrily at the grass, swallowing everything in their path. The air grew thick with smoke, the once-cool night turning suffocatingly hot. The fire moved fast, devouring the only place you had left to hide

Lucius had done it

He had set the forest ablaze

And now, as the inferno surrounded you, his piercing eyes never left you

Because no matter where you ran, no matter how far you tried to escape…

He would always find you