In the shadows of the forest

Yeah, she did not like the way he was leering at her, like some piece of meat for him to devour or defile. Ember Carpathius was no wolf's prey and she wasn't about to become one now. Despite the panic making her heart rate race in her veins, she remained staunchly defiant against his attempts at intimidation. Nobody said you couldn't be scared and still stand strong against the threat. Were his mannerisms not so outwardly imposing, he might have come across as charming. As it was, all this brute reeked of was danger and malice. He smiled; he was amused by her. She didn't expect him to take her as a threat—not immediately, at least. Not until she showed him that she was no one to fuck around with. Senses and nerves on high alert, Em paid close attention to every ripple and twitch of muscle on the brute's form, ready to anticipate and respond to him should he choose to escalate things further.

Another step back to create more of a space cushion between them. Ember didn't want this guy all up on her if he decided to get physical; she knew the differences in their sizes and strengths would not favor her in a grappling match. He stepped back now too, adding to the space while he began to circle her. Pulse quickened while Em tracked him with her steely blue eyes, the pair of wolves analyzing the other down to the most minute detail. What the hell did he want with her? What was this sick game he was playing with her? It was only once he'd made his pass around her that she realized what he had been doing; the brute had been sizing her up and inspecting her from every angle. It sent a chill running down her spine, her braided tail swishing anxiously behind her. They returned to square one, just staring at one another face to face. Ember was afraid to take her gaze off of him, lest he take the opening to strike.

The brute remarked on her feisty attitude, and Ember replied to his threatening growl with a low warning growl of her own. Fuck, she hated how much he was enjoying trying to torment her and make her uncomfortable. What was this dude's problem? He challenged her, denouncing her bravado as true strength, and took a few measured steps closer to her, exhibiting his size and weight to her. He threatened her again, taunting her to run and giving her a mockery of mercy by insisting he wouldn't chase her. But Ember was cursed with the stubbornness of all Carpathians. She would not run. Not from him, not from anyone. One day her headstrong nature would bite her in the ass. Maybe today would be that day, or maybe not.

Ocean blue-turquoise eyes gleaming with a warning of her own, Ember took a single step closer towards him too, closing their distance bit by bit, like the pair were locked in a dance. "How about you run and I promise I won't rip up that pretty face of yours," she hissed back in a deadly whisper, having to crane her neck back to look up at him, but not letting that stop her from standing her ground. She would not be the first to commit an act of violence unprovoked though. As much as she wanted to, she was still a member of the Hallows, and what she did reflected on her pack and her family. But if this boy tried anything... she wouldn't hesitate to leave him with scars.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"