Chapter 49: A Creature Of The Night

Summer’s POV

“Run!” Dominic growled.

Run?

He pulled away from me, leaving the midnight breeze to bite at my skin.

“Go inside now.” He muttered.

“What do you mean run! I just told you I wasn’t going back into that place. I’m leaving. “

“Something is out her, Athena. Run, now!”

I stood my ground, despite the urgency in Dominic's voice. "I'm not going back inside," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I told you; I'm leaving. I need to find my destiny, figure out where I belong."

Dominic's eyes flashed with frustration, but he didn't argue. Instead, he grabbed my arm and tried to pull me towards the mansion. "Summer, please. Something is out here. We need to get you to safety."

I dug my heels into the ground, resisting his pull. "No, I won't go back in there. I won't be trapped again."

Dominic's grip on my arm tightened, his fingers digging into my skin. "Athena, listen to me. Whatever is out here, it's not a Lycan. It's something else, something I've never seen before. We need to get you inside, now."

But I was resolute. I shook my head, trying to free my arm from his grasp. "No, I'm not going back. I'll face whatever is out here, on my own terms."

Dominic's face twisted in a mixture of anger and fear, but before he could respond, a loud crashing sound echoed through the woods. We both turned to face the noise, and that's when I saw it.

A creature emerged from the trees, its body unlike anything I'd ever seen. It was tall and imposing, with skin that seemed to shift and writhe like a living shadow. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and its presence seemed to fill the air with an unspeakable horror.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Dominic's grip on my arm tightened, and he pulled me close, his body shielding mine from the creature.

"What is that?" I whispered, my voice trembling with fear.

Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he pushed me behind him, his eyes fixed on the creature. "Stay back," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The creature took a step closer, its eyes fixed on us. Dominic raised his hands, and I saw a flash of claws extend from his fingertips. He was ready to fight, to defend me against this monstrous creature.

But as I watched, I realized that I wasn't just scared for myself. I was scared for Dominic, too. He was putting himself in harm's way to protect me, and I didn't know if he could handle this creature on his own.

The creature took another step closer, its presence filling the air with an unspeakable horror. Dominic crouched low, his claws extended, ready to strike.

And then, in a flash of movement, the creature launched itself at us. Dominic met it head-on, his claws flashing in the moonlight. The two of them clashed, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle.

I watched, frozen with fear, as Dominic fought to protect me. He was strong, but the creature was relentless, its attacks swift and merciless.

I knew I had to do something, but I didn't know what. I was scared, and I didn't know if I could face this creature on my own.

But as I watched Dominic fight, something inside me sparked to life. I remembered the fire that had burned within me, the desire to forge my own path and find my own destiny.

I was jibing and I didn’t want to. How could I be hiding away like a coward. Was this how I was supposed to take control of my destiny.

With newfound determination, I stepped forward, my eyes fixed on the creature. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew I had to try.

And as I moved, the creature's eyes flicked towards me, its gaze locking onto mine. I felt a jolt of fear, but I stood my ground, my heart pounding in my chest.

“What are you doing, Summer?” He asked watching my movement. “Stay back. This is dangerous.”

I didn’t heed his warnings and continued my movement grabbing the creature’s attention. The beast left the fight between himself and Dominic and now initiated a warming battle to my direction.

Dominic took advantage of the creature's momentary distraction, striking out with his claws and landing a solid blow. The creature stumbled back, giving Dominic the opening he needed.

Dominic launched himself at the creature, his claws flashing in the moonlight. The two of them clashed, their bodies locked together in the struggle of the fight. Slashes and tearing skins erupted in the night but none of them were Dominic. He was good, extremely good at combat and it showed as he continued reaping about the creature’s hairy yet slimy skin.

I watched, my heart pounding in my chest, as Dominic gave another slash. The creature tried to put up another fight but Dominic was faster, catching it slimy claws and twisting the bones. The breaking bones crackled into the night and the animal’s ragged breath followed. I watched as Dominic continued his assault.

My feet refused to move and my body was a trembling mess.

The creature let out a defeated screech as it slumped to the ground, its body continuing to sizzle and crackle.

And then, in an instant, it was over. The creature's body went still, its skin ceasing to fry. The smell lingered, but it was no longer overpowering.

As I watched, the creature's body began to... dissolve? It was the only way to describe it. Its skin seemed to break down, its muscles and bones disintegrating into nothingness. The air was filled with a fine, ash-like powder, and I could feel it settling on my skin.

I looked at Dominic, who was panting heavily, his chest heaving with exertion. He met my gaze, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of triumph and wariness.

"What was that thing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as my eyes stayed on the spot the body had laid.

Dominic's expression was grim. "I don't know, but I have a feeling they are more.”