Bound by the Dark Prince

Evelyn tightened her grip on the dagger Kael had given her. It felt foreign in her hands—too light, too delicate—but it was the only weapon she had. The moon loomed above, casting eerie silver light through the trees as she stepped into the dark wilderness beyond the palace gates.

"The creature dwells deep in the Forest of Whispers," Kael had told her before she left. "It will not reveal itself easily. You must listen, not just with your ears, but with your instincts."

Easy for him to say. He wasn't the one being sent to hunt a beast she knew nothing about.

Every sound in the forest set her nerves on edge. The rustling of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, the occasional snap of a twig beneath her boots. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness, as if the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for something… or someone.

The path ahead was barely visible, shrouded in creeping mist. Evelyn pressed forward, determined not to let fear get the better of her. She had survived this long. She would not break now.

A sudden growl rumbled through the trees.

She froze, heart hammering in her chest. The sound came from ahead—deep, guttural, and filled with a primal hunger. She scanned the darkness, straining her eyes to see beyond the mist.

Then, she saw it.

A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows. The creature was massive, its form obscured by the thick fog, but she could make out the outline of its hulking body. Clawed hands dug into the earth, and its elongated snout curled back in a snarl, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Evelyn's breath hitched. She knew running was pointless. The beast would be faster, stronger. She had only one choice—fight.

Gripping the dagger, she took a step forward. The beast growled again, its body tensing, ready to pounce. She had to strike first. If she waited, she wouldn't survive the night.

With a deep breath, she lunged.

The creature moved with terrifying speed, dodging her strike with ease. It swiped at her, and she barely managed to roll out of the way. The impact of its claws against the ground sent dirt flying, and Evelyn scrambled to her feet, heart pounding.

She had underestimated it.

The beast circled her, its red eyes never leaving her. It was toying with her, testing her. She tightened her grip on the dagger. If she wanted to survive, she needed to outthink it.

Drawing in a shaky breath, she forced herself to focus. Kael's words echoed in her mind.

"Listen with your instincts."

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, blocking out everything but the sounds around her—the rustling leaves, the faint breeze, the rhythmic breathing of the beast. And then… she felt it.

A shift in the air. A subtle movement to her right.

The beast was about to strike.

Evelyn spun just as it lunged, slashing her dagger upward. The blade met flesh, and the creature let out a pained roar. Hot blood splattered across her arm, but she didn't stop. She drove the dagger deeper, twisting it before yanking it free.

The beast staggered back, snarling. It was wounded but not defeated.

Panting, Evelyn wiped the sweat from her brow. She had drawn first blood.

Now, it was truly a hunt.

The creature lunged again, but this time, Evelyn was ready.