Hunted.

That’s what humans like me were in a world ruled by Shifters. They dominated the food chain—Alphas, Betas, and Omegas all bound by their primal instincts. Then there were Ferals—Shifters who had lost all control, running purely on hunger. And when one of them caught your scent, it was already too late.

Tonight, I was running.

My pulse pounded in my ears as I sprinted through the dark forest, branches clawing at my arms. My jacket had been ripped off in the struggle, leaving my scent exposed—sweet, vulnerable. The Ferals had found me the second I wandered too close to their territory.

A snarl tore through the trees behind me. Closer.

My foot caught on a root, and I hit the ground hard. Breath knocked out of me. My limbs shook as I tried to push myself up, but before I could move—

A heavy weight pinned me down.

Hot breath ghosted over my neck. Claws dug into my wrists, caging me beneath something huge, something wild. My heartbeat thundered. I braced for the bite—

But then—another growl. This one deeper. Commanding.

The weight disappeared. Snarls erupted into a violent clash—snapping jaws, claws ripping into flesh. A whimper, then a sickening crack. Silence.

I forced myself onto my elbows, chest heaving. And then I saw him.

A boy—no, a Shifter—stood where the Feral had been. His form flickered between human and something other, golden eyes glowing in the dark. He was breathing heavily, fists clenched, as if restraining himself.

I should’ve been afraid. I should’ve run.

But then he crouched beside me, tilting his head. His fingers brushed my face, despite everything.

“They won’t stop coming for you.” His voice was low, rough, something dangerous curling around the edges.

“You’re prey.”

His gaze flickered to my exposed throat, to the frantic pulse beneath my skin. A muscle in his jaw tightened before he let out a slow breath, forcing himself to look away.

“You need to learn how to survive.”