I wasn’t going to let that happen. I couldn’t—I wouldn’t—go back.
Venomous curses came from behind me as I continued to run. My every breath was ragged as I pushed my body harder than I ever had before.
Seconds became minutes, and still, the male continued to pursue me. Our matching footsteps echoed through the forest as we ran.
Soon, my lungs were burning. Every breath felt like a million flames erupting within me. I knew I needed to take a break, or my body would force me to do so.
Ducking behind a tree, I fought to catch my breath as I withdrew the dagger sheathed on my forearm. My eyes darted around wildly, trying to find the best route forward, when a large hand landed on my shoulder.
No.
I screamed, raising my second blade in the air as I turned toward my attacker.
The male’s eyes widened at the sight of the blade in my hand. Colorful curses escaped his lips as his nostrils flared. He snarled, “You havegotto be kidding me. How many knives can one female carry?”
It took me a moment to understand what he was saying. His voice was deep and had a strange accent to it. His words were more clipped than I was used to hearing.
While I was processing his words, one of his hands wrapped around my wrist. The moment he touched me, it was as though sparks erupted underneath my skin. I gasped, trying to yank my hand back.
“Let me go!” I raised my foot, intending to stomp on his, but he shifted his body away from me.
He laughed. Laughed! That sent a wave of rage through my body. “I don’t think so, little lady.” He eyed my dagger.
“Little?” I sputtered. Anger like I’d never felt before roiled through my body. “I’m not little. You’re just a giant!”
“Giant or not, I don’t plan on getting stabbed again.”
I huffed. “Maybe you shouldn’t sneak up on people if you don’t like being stabbed.”
“Maybe you should just practice kindness and not jump to conclusions!” he retorted. His nostrils flared as he loomed above me. “Did you consider that perhaps I just wanted to talk to you?”
“I wasn’t aware talking required a bow and arrow,” I snapped, looking pointedly at the weapon currently hooked on his back. I couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles bulged as he held onto me.
“Maybe I had a reason,” he said. “Do you make a habit of stabbing every male you encounter in the woods?”
I dragged my eyes up to his, forcing myself not to notice the way his golden eyes seemed to look right through me into my soul.
“I don’t know,” I said through clenched teeth as I tried to wrench myself free from his grasp. With every yank, he tightened his grip. I huffed. “You’re the first person I’ve met out here. Why don’t you let go of my hand and find out if there’s a repeat performance?”
He raised a brow, his gaze darting between me and the knife in my hand. “I’d rather not.” Lips twitching, he gestured to his right shoulder. “This is enough damage for one day, thank you very much.”
I smirked at the sight of the fresh blood trickling down his navy-blue tunic. A hole the size of my index finger marred the otherwise untouched piece of clothing.
“Too bad my aim was off,” I grumbled.
Choked laughter escaped him as he continued to grip my wrist. His fingers were so tight, that I knew I would have bruises there tomorrow. If I was still alive tomorrow. At this rate, I wasn’t sure if that would be the case.
But one thing was certain. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. If this male thought he could use me, he was going to be in for a rude awakening. No one was going to touch me without my permission.
That’s why I was in this mess in the first place.
Gritting my teeth, I twisted away from my assailant before raising my knee and aiming it for the sensitive spot all males have. He jerked back, and my knee connected with his thigh instead.
Damn.
He cursed, still holding onto me. “This is unbelievable.” He threw his free hand in the air before running it through his hair. I tried to kick him, to no avail.
“Would you stop that?” he snapped.