Regina ran forward, heart pounding, the thick forest echoing with the sound of her footsteps. Suddenly, a large, powerful hand clamped around her arm, yanking her back. Before she could scream, a rough palm covered her mouth.
"Mmmph! Mmm...mmph!"
Her muffled cries filled the night air. Eyes wide with terror, Regina struggled, clawing at the hand over her mouth. Panic surged in her chest—until a familiar, deep voice growled in her ear.
"Stupid mate."
Her body froze. That voice—she knew it. Her hands dropped slowly as the pressure over her mouth eased.
"Hmph. You really want the whole forest to hear you scream?" Waldo sneered, casting her a cold, mocking glance. The moonlight caught the sharp angles of his face—chiseled, almost inhuman.
Regina glared at him, furious. "You scared the hell out of me! You can't just grab people like that!"
"What, scared of a little touch?" Waldo's voice was low and biting. "You only grow a backbone when you're fighting me."
