Bound by the Dark Prince

The beast lunged with a speed that defied its massive form. Evelyn barely had time to react. She twisted to the side, the creature's claws slicing through the air where she had stood a second ago. Her heart pounded as she gripped her dagger, her body thrumming with adrenaline.

The creature's glowing red eyes locked onto her, assessing, waiting for another opening. It was intelligent. It wasn't just attacking mindlessly—it was studying her, just as she was trying to understand it.

Evelyn steadied her breathing. If she let panic control her, she would be dead before the next heartbeat. She needed a strategy, and fast.

The beast charged again, its powerful limbs shaking the earth. Evelyn ducked and rolled, barely avoiding a swipe that would have torn through her ribs. She felt the rush of air as its claws missed her by inches.

Then she saw it—an opening.

The moment the creature overextended, Evelyn struck. She drove the dagger toward its exposed side, aiming for the wound she had inflicted earlier. But the beast was faster than she expected. It twisted mid-strike, slamming her with its massive tail.

Pain exploded through her ribs as she was thrown across the clearing, landing hard against a tree. Stars burst in her vision. Her dagger slipped from her grasp, embedding itself in the dirt a few feet away.

The beast let out a deep growl, sensing its advantage. It prowled toward her, each step deliberate, savoring her weakness.

Evelyn forced herself to move. Pain screamed through her body, but she gritted her teeth and lunged for her weapon. Just as her fingers closed around the hilt, the beast struck.

A blur of fur and fangs descended upon her. Evelyn reacted on instinct, twisting her body and bringing the dagger up. The blade met flesh, plunging into the beast's shoulder.

The creature howled in agony, its red eyes blazing with fury. It staggered back, allowing Evelyn a precious moment to scramble to her feet.

Blood dripped from the dagger, dark and thick. The wound slowed the beast, but it was still dangerous. Evelyn knew she wouldn't last much longer in a battle of endurance.

Then, a deep voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough."

The command was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. The beast froze, its ears flattening as if recognizing the voice.

Evelyn's breath came in ragged gasps as she turned toward the source of the voice.

Kael stood at the edge of the clearing, his crimson eyes locked onto the creature. The moonlight cast a ghostly glow over his sharp features, his dark cloak billowing in the breeze.

The beast let out a low, rumbling growl but did not attack. It hesitated, as though torn between instinct and obedience.

Kael stepped forward, his presence radiating an overwhelming force. "You've done well," he said, his gaze flickering to Evelyn. "But this fight is over."

Evelyn's grip tightened around the dagger. "I can finish this," she said, breathless.

A ghost of a smile touched Kael's lips. "You already have."

The beast let out a final growl before lowering its massive head. Slowly, it backed away, retreating into the shadows of the forest.

Evelyn stared, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. "You controlled it."

Kael's expression remained unreadable. "In a way."

Her body still trembled from the fight, but now, a different kind of tension filled the air. She had faced death and survived, but Kael's influence over the beast raised more questions than answers.

"Come," he said, turning away. "Your trial is over."

Evelyn hesitated before following. As she stepped away from the clearing, she realized something.

She had won. But at what cost?