Desmond lay on the cold pavement, his body burning from the bite wound on his shoulder. Every nerve screamed in agony, but he forced himself to move. He couldn't stay down—not when the predator was still watching him.
The vampire took slow, deliberate steps toward him, a smug grin spreading across his pale face.
"You're not like the others," the vampire mused, tilting his head. "You fought back. Impressive."
Desmond pushed himself up, his arms shaking. Blood dripped from his wound, soaking into his shirt, but he ignored it. He had trained himself to handle pain. His shield had saved him once, but the energy it took had left him weakened.
The vampire stopped a few feet away, his crimson eyes gleaming in the darkness.
"Let's see how long you last."
And then he moved.
A blur of speed, faster than anything Desmond had ever seen.
Instinct took over.
He threw his arms up, summoning his shield just in time. The vampire crashed into the invisible barrier, the impact sending shockwaves through the alley. The creature hissed in frustration, stumbling back.
Desmond didn't hesitate.
He lunged forward, aiming a punch at the vampire's face, but the creature twisted out of the way effortlessly. Before he could react, a cold hand gripped his throat and slammed him into the wall.
Pain exploded through his skull.
The vampire leaned in close, his fangs glinting under the streetlight.
"You're strong. But not strong enough."
Desmond struggled against the iron grip, gasping for air. His shield flickered, his strength failing. His vision blurred.
He was going to die.
And then—
A roar.
The vampire's head snapped up in alarm. A shadow moved at the end of the alley, something fast, something dangerous.
A blur of movement—then impact.
The vampire was ripped away from Desmond, sent crashing into the ground. Desmond collapsed, clutching his throat, gasping for breath. His vision swam, but he could make out the shape of a man—no, not a man. Something else.
A figure stood in front of him, muscles tense, golden eyes gleaming.
A werewolf.
Desmond's mind barely had time to process it before darkness took him.