They were chasing me down the tiled corridors of the subway station. Somehow, his hounds—a group of his most ruthless werewolves—had found out where I was running to and had come to take me back to the beast Fate had chosen as my soul-mate. But he had rejected me. He had humiliated me. And it still wasn't enough. He wanted to break and shatter my soul into tiny pieces and destroy me to the point of no return.

I managed to run away before the worst had happened. But his hounds, a group of his most ruthless werewolves, had found me and were chasing me to take me back to him.

I knew that I wouldn't survive if I was caught. He would beat me senseless and let his men rape and abuse me until madness overtook me and there was nothing left of my mind.

I couldn't go back. I wouldn’t go back!

My lungs were burning, and my limbs were shaking. I stumbled and fell. People avoided me and didn't offer any help. They thought I was mad, or maybe they instinctively knew that whatever was after me was far too dangerous to face. I crawled to reach the wall, so I could use it for support to get back up and keep running.

They were getting closer. I could smell them and hear their growls.

“Help,” I whispered.

No one came.

My tousled brown hair fell in front of my eyes when I kneeled and tried to push myself off the wall.

If I could reach the surface, maybe I could find a police officer to ask for protection. Surely, they weren't foolish enough to kill a cop. I hoped.

“There she is,” a man shouted.

“We’ve got you now,” another one said mockingly. “You will regret running away. No one can save you. Not your brother and, certainly, not the humans. You are ours, and we can do whatever we please to you.”

I tried running farther, but a man stood in front of me, blocking my way. He was the same one who had been speaking to me. My heart sank as I realized who he was. It was Cameron, my former mate's Beta. He took pleasure in terrifying everybody—especially the females.

I anchored my back to the wall. My breathing became shallow. I was petrified.

When I looked up, there were five lethal werewolves with shining and menacing eyes, gnashing their pointy teeth and growling at me. The few humans around had fled. To my left were the stairs leading to the surface, and to my right was a long corridor which led back to the subway train. I was trapped.

“You can’t run anymore, Camille. Once Simon finishes with you, we are going to have lots of fun together.”

“Help.” My cry for help was barely a sound. 

Suddenly, one of them grabbed my leg and pulled me off my feet, dragging me across the floor. Tears fell down my cheeks as I kicked him in a feeble attempt to try to push him away.

“You are coming back home with us,” one growled.

Several kicks connected with my body. My body curled into a fetal position as I tried to protect my stomach. I was too tired to fight. I stood no chance against them. Pain shot through me as I kept whimpering, knowing that nothing I could do would save me from them now.

The kicking stopped, and I heard loud growls. It was followed by the sounds of teeth snapping, clothes being shredded, and bodies being slammed against the tiles.

My body was numb due to the coldness of the surface. My face was swollen from the beating. I tasted iron as blood filled my mouth, and I tried not to choke on it. Around me, growls and punches were echoing throughout the tunnel.

When I finally opened my eyes, I saw blood pooled and the dismembered body of what used to be Cameron. His eyes were glazed over, and his face was twisted in horror. I muffled my scream with my hand. The blood from my internal bleeding and the meager food I had eaten were both threatening to come out.

“I’ll check the girl,” a guttural voice said, but it didn't sound familiar.

Feet which had what looked like claws stood before my eyes. A hand touched my hair, brushing it back.

“Are you okay?”

With eyes opened wide, I stared at the beast’s grotesque face and pointy ears. Despite my initial impression of his appearance, he had kind, brown eyes. He smirked at me and showed his tiny, sharp teeth. At first, my eyes widened in fear, but then I relaxed, knowing that he wouldn't hurt me.

I had heard rumors about them, but I had never seen a gargoyle before. It was true: Paris had gargoyles, and they had just saved my life like my brother promised me they would.

“She's bleeding. She may have internal injuries,” a throaty voice said from somewhere behind me.

“She's a strong werewolf, aren't you, sweetie?” the gargoyle who faced me asked.

I couldn't move and when I tried, I shrieked in pain.

“We need to take her to see William. Then we’ll call the prince,” the other creature urged. 

“I need to see the prince,” I mumbled, cringing at the taste of my own blood.

“There's no need for a doctor, Aaron,” the first creature said. Suddenly, his clawed hands reached down and carried my body as if I weighed little more than a feather. “This one is mine,” he whispered, and I felt a strange heat taking over my body. My stomach burned, and my hands tingled. Serpents of fire seemed to weave around my right arm. I grew lightheaded as if I was dying. I whimpered and closed my eyes.

“What's happening to me?'' I asked, out of breath.

“You are healing.”

My hand clutched at his broad chest, and my other arm snaked around his neck. Despite his ugly appearance, the beast smelled fresh. They had saved me. I had no reason to fear them.

“It burns,” I mumbled, hiding my face in the crook of his neck.

His hand clutched mine, and he tightened the hug. I have no idea what happened next because I blacked out.

 

 

I sat straight up. A pair of brown eyes haunted my dreams as fire consumed me and had awakened me from my slumber. I think I screamed.

Looking around, I took stock of my situation and realized I had no idea where I was. Four lilac-colored walls and beautiful furniture accented the tasteful décor of the bedroom. Rays of sunshine streamed through the window, telling me that it was daytime.

My mouth was as dry as sandpaper. I touched my chest, feeling uncomfortable by how my damp clothes clung to my skin. Brushing the hair off my face, it was when I noticed the change.

I frowned at the blonde, curly strands of hair falling about my shoulders. Grabbing a strand, I examined it. My hair was a lot longer than it was the night before, and my previously brown hair was now blonde. Seeing my hands, I noticed how amazing my nails looked. They were thick and long. My skin seemed different, too.

Pushing aside the bedding, I got up and saw my backpack on one of the armchairs in the room. Finding the bathroom, I searched for a mirror.

Minutes later, I was still trying to understand how there were no signs of swelling, cuts, bruises, or tired eyes. Someone had done an amazing job coloring my hair blonde and applying invisible make-up to my face.

The door to the bedroom opened, and I rushed to see who was there.

A gorgeous, tall, and broad-shouldered young man entered with a tray of food. We just stood there for a moment, staring at each other in silence. My eyes lingered on every inch of him until my cheeks burned, and I avoided his chocolate-colored eyes. I had no idea what had come over me, but he was giving me the same inquisitive look that I was giving him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, stepping forward.

I shrunk back with a fear-filled gasp.

“I'm not going to hurt you,” the young man said. “You are safe here. Do you remember what happened to you last night?”

I nodded.

“Why were they chasing you?”

I bit my lower lip and sucked in a breath before explaining. “They wanted to take me back to…him.” After gulping, I continued, “I need to talk to the prince. Are you an angel?”

“I'm Jacob,” he said, holding the tray with one hand and offering me the other as a greeting.

“Camille,” I whispered with my hands safely against my chest.

He eventually put his hand back down.

“Where are the gargoyles who saved me? I would like to talk to them and thank them for coming to my rescue.”

Jacob put the tray on the bed and rubbed his hands down his jeans. He seemed nervous. I know his presence made me anxious. I had never seen an angel before. He was breathtakingly beautiful. At least, I thought he was.

“Gargoyles sleep during the day.”

“Oh! I didn't know that. Well, I thought it was a myth.”

“It isn't.”

I looked at the food, unsure of what was more appealing to my senses: the bacon and eggs or Jacob.

“Hungry?”

I placed my hands over my stomach, and red colored my cheeks. “I'm starving.”

“Eat. Take a bath. Relax. We have a lot to talk about.”

“You asked why they were chasing me. I did nothing wrong. You need to understand that.” Raising my eyes, I saw him nod.

“Was the werewolf who rejected your bond among those who were attacking you?''

My eyes widened.

How does he know about my rejected bound?

“Are they all dead? I remember the blood…” I stopped myself from voicing my memories, so that I wouldn't get sick.

Jacob sighed and trailed his fingers through his hair. Tilting his head with an arched eyebrow, he asked, “Would you be sad if they were?”

I shook my head, remembering all the evil they had tried to do to me and all the verbal abuse I had already endured from them and my mate.

“They didn’t deserve the air they breathed. But, to answer your question, no, he wasn't with them. He just sent his men. Simon won't be happy, and he will continue to come after me. I need to talk to the prince.”

Jacob closed the distance between us and put his hands on my shoulders. A heavy cloud of nerves overtook me. I was stuck to the floor and blushing like I never had before.

Are angels that appealing to my werewolf senses?

“Do you love him?” he asked.

His question was puzzling. I mustered enough courage to look him in the eye. “Love who?”

Jacob's face was serious. “The one who rejected you.”

His hands tensed on my shoulders. I gazed at his chest, realizing how tall and how muscled he was.

“He didn't want me. He humiliated me. He...” The next words got stuck in my throat.

Jacob placed a finger under my chin and redirected my attention to his face.

Fisting my hands, I refused to cry even if my body shivered in protest. “I hate him with all my heart. I don't ever want to see him again. It’s because of him that I need to find a haven.”

Jacob's plump and sexy lips curved into a smile that, in turn, made his eyes sparkle.

His next words blew my mind. “Good, because you are mine now, and I have no intention of living without you.”

“What?” I gasped.

“You’d better sit down. We have a lot to talk about. I wanted to give you a chance to relax first, but I think putting your mind at ease can only help in that regard.”

When I didn't move, Jacob managed to turn me around, put his warm and electrifying hand on my lower back, and guided me to an armchair