《The blood hound's prey》 Captured by the Blood Hound Rena crouched low in the shadows of the dense forest, the damp earth cool beneath her fingers. The air was crisp, carrying the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. She had been waiting here for hours, stomach empty, muscles tense. The plan had been simple¡ªlet herself be found, get taken into the palace, and strike when the time was right. But she hadn¡¯t expected him. Alex Ravon. The Blood Hound of Mysiri. War hero. The king¡¯s most trusted knight. She had heard tales of him¡ªhis ruthless efficiency, his cold, unreadable eyes. She hadn¡¯t expected to face him alone. Yet here he was, standing before her in dark armor, his sword glinting in the fading light. ¡°Rena of Ilrath,¡± he said, voice deceptively calm. ¡°That was quite the effort. You almost made me break a sweat.¡± She scoffed, rolling her shoulders to ease the ache. ¡°Surrender to a mutt who wags his tail at a tyrant? I think not.¡± His lips twitched. Was that¡­ amusement? No, impossible. He didn¡¯t seem the type to enjoy anything. ¡°You insult my loyalty, yet you¡¯re the one running around the woods like a lost cub.¡± Rena lunged, steel meeting steel with a resounding clash. The force of impact rattled through her bones, but she held firm, twisting to strike again. Alex blocked her effortlessly, his expression unreadable. She moved fast, her strikes fueled by desperation, but he was faster. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. A sharp pain shot through her wrist as he deflected her attack, forcing her back. Her breath came in shallow gasps. She was weaker than she wanted to be, the gnawing hunger making her sluggish. Damn it. She barely dodged his next strike, the blade slicing through the air just inches from her throat. She had known he was strong, but fighting him was like clashing against an immovable force. Her mother had always told her to hide her power, to never let anyone see what she truly was. But if she didn¡¯t use it now, she would lose. For a moment, just a moment, she considered breaking that promise. But she hesitated. And that hesitation cost her. Alex¡¯s foot hooked behind hers, sweeping her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard, her sword flying from her grasp. Before she could reach for it, his boot pressed against her wrist, pinning her in place. She struggled, but it was useless. ¡°Enough,¡± he said, voice smooth, almost lazy. ¡°I¡¯d say you put up a good fight, but we both know that¡¯d be a lie.¡± Rena glared up at him, breathing hard. ¡°You fight like a man who has nothing to lose.¡± He tilted his head slightly. ¡°And you fight like someone who really should¡¯ve eaten breakfast.¡± She bared her teeth. ¡°Go to hell.¡± ¡°Already live there,¡± he said mildly, snapping iron restraints around her wrists before hauling her up. ¡°Now, if you¡¯re done squirming, we have a long journey ahead. Try not to whine the whole way.¡± They walked for what felt like hours, the cold seeping into her bones. Rena didn¡¯t bother speaking; she knew he wouldn¡¯t answer. But she couldn¡¯t help studying him. He was different from what she had imagined. She had expected arrogance, cruelty, a man who took pleasure in his victories. But there was nothing in his expression beyond quiet detachment. Well, except for the occasional smirk whenever she stumbled. Yet something about her had caught his interest. She had seen it in his eyes during their battle¡ªjust for a flicker of a moment. No one had ever stood against him like that. No one had dared. She smiled to herself. That meant something. As they neared the edge of the forest, she finally broke the silence. ¡°Tell me, Blood Hound. Do you ever question your master¡¯s orders? Or do you just kill without thinking?¡± He didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°You speak too much.¡± She smirked. ¡°And you speak too little.¡± This time, he did glance at her, one brow slightly raised. ¡°You really should save your breath. You¡¯ll need it when you start begging for mercy.¡± She laughed, sharp and defiant. ¡°From you? I¡¯d rather die.¡± His smirk widened just a fraction. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Fine. If he wouldn¡¯t play along, she¡¯d find another way to get under his skin. After all, this journey was just beginning. Fifteen days to the capital. Fifteen days to learn everything she could. The real hunt had only just begun. The night The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows that danced among the towering trees of the dense forest. Night had fully descended, bringing with it a serene calmness that contrasted sharply with the tension brewing within the camp. Rena sat with her back against a sturdy oak, her wrists bound by iron shackles that clinked softly with her slightest movement. Hunger gnawed at her insides, intensified by the mouthwatering aroma of roasting meat wafting through the air. It had been over a day since she last ate, and her body screamed for sustenance. Nearby, soldiers huddled close to the fire, their voices low but laced with disdain. "We shouldn''t be feeding her," one muttered, casting a wary glance in Rena''s direction. "She''s dangerous." Another sneered, his lip curling in disgust. "Let her starve. A witch doesn''t deserve our food." Rena''s lips curled into a smirk. "Afraid a ''witch'' might outmatch you even when she''s starving? Pathetic." The first soldier bristled, his hand inching toward his weapon. "Watch your tongue, witch, or I''ll¡ª" "You''ll what?" Rena interrupted, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Cower behind your comrades? Or perhaps you''d prefer to test your mettle against a shackled woman?" His face reddened, but he made no move to approach her. The others chuckled nervously, their unease palpable. Alex observed the exchange from a distance, his dark eyes reflecting the fire''s glow. He had been silently sharpening his blade, the rhythmic scrape of stone against steel a steady backdrop to the camp''s murmurs. His gaze lingered on Rena, intrigued by her defiance even in captivity. When his portion of food arrived, Alex accepted it with a nod. After a moment''s contemplation, he addressed the soldier distributing the meals. "Bring me another serving. The day''s march has left me famished." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The soldier hesitated but complied, returning with an additional plate. Alex set it aside, continuing his routine as the camp gradually settled into slumber. As the fire dwindled to embers and snores filled the air, Alex rose, the extra plate in hand. He approached Rena, his footsteps deliberately light. "Hungry?" he inquired, holding the plate just out of her reach. Rena''s eyes narrowed, suspicion evident. "What''s this? A peace offering from the ''Blood Hound'' himself?" He chuckled softly. "Hardly. Consider it a test." She eyed the food, her stomach twisting painfully. "And what poison have you laced it with?" Alex''s expression remained neutral. "If I wanted you dead, Rena, you''d already be a corpse. Eat or don''t; the choice is yours." Her gaze shifted between him and the plate. Hunger won out. She reached for the food, her shackles clinking, and began to eat with measured bites, maintaining eye contact. "You find me dangerous enough to shackle, yet you feed me," she remarked between mouthfuls. "What game are you playing?" Alex leaned against the tree beside her, arms crossed. "Perhaps I''m curious. You possess strength uncommon for a woman. I wonder what it would take to break you." Rena''s eyes flashed defiantly. "Many have tried. All have failed." He smirked. "We''ll see." Silence enveloped them, the distant hoot of an owl the only intrusion. Rena''s thoughts raced. She could easily break free from these shackles; their restraint was laughable. But escape now would be premature. She needed to understand her captors, especially Alex. His motives were murky, and that intrigued her. "Tell me," she began, breaking the silence. "Do your men always follow you blindly? Even when you make questionable decisions, like feeding the ''enemy''?" Alex''s gaze remained steady. "They trust my judgment. And I trust they''ll keep their opinions to themselves." "Blind loyalty," Rena mused. "Dangerous." "Effective," he countered. "Unlike your current predicament." She chuckled softly. "You underestimate me, Alex." "Perhaps," he conceded. "Or perhaps I see you more clearly than you see yourself." Rena''s smile faded slightly, his words striking a chord she hadn''t anticipated. "Careful, Blood Hound. Insight can be a double-edged sword." He pushed off the tree, standing tall. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow will be... enlightening." As he walked away, Rena''s mind churned. This game of wits was becoming more intricate than she''d planned. But one thing was certain: she wouldn''t be the one to falter. Rain The rain fell steadily, a rhythmic patter against the dense canopy of trees. The forest smelled of damp earth and wet leaves, the air thick with the chill of the night. Rena sat with her back against the tree, her drenched clothes clinging to her skin, but the cold didn¡¯t bother her. She welcomed it. Pain, discomfort¡ªthose things were familiar, and the numbing cold only dulled them further. She tilted her head back, letting the rain wash over her face. ¡°Oh, I got rain as my company tonight,¡± she muttered to herself, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. Alex stirred inside his tent, awakened by the sound of the downpour. He wasn¡¯t the only one; the soldiers guarding Rena stood stiff, clearly displeased with their unfortunate duty. They huddled under a small makeshift covering, casting wary glances at the woman sitting so calmly in the open rain. Shaking his head, Alex stepped out, stretching his muscles as he observed the scene before him. His sharp gaze landed on Rena, soaked and shivering, yet utterly unbothered. He didn¡¯t know if it was defiance or stupidity. Perhaps both. ¡°Go inside,¡± he ordered the guards. ¡°I¡¯ll take over.¡± The men exchanged glances but did not argue. They were more than happy to escape the cold, bowing their heads before retreating into the tents. Alex leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching Rena in silence. The rain made her seem even more fragile, her skin pale under the moonlight, but he knew better. This woman had fought him¡ªheld her ground against him¡ªand that was something few could claim. ¡°You look like a drenched chicken,¡± he remarked, breaking the silence. Rena¡¯s lips curled in amusement as she lazily turned her head towards him. ¡°And you look like an owl with all those dark circles.¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Alex¡¯s jaw twitched, his irritation surfacing. ¡°Still got that sharp tongue, even in chains?¡± Rena raised her shackled hands, tilting her head mockingly. ¡°And here you are with all those iron shackles in your hands, not me!¡± He narrowed his eyes. ¡°If you think that makes you any less of a prisoner, you¡¯re delusional.¡± Rena chuckled, closing her eyes briefly as she leaned back. ¡°And yet, you¡¯re here, talking to me instead of resting like the others.¡± A distant thunder rumbled across the sky. Alex exhaled sharply, stepping closer. His patience was running thin. ¡°What is your intention?¡± he asked, voice cold. ¡°What are you planning to do to our king?¡± The mention of the king made Rena¡¯s expression darken. The easy amusement drained from her face, replaced by something far more dangerous¡ªhatred. Her fingers clenched into fists. ¡°Why do you care?¡± she spat. ¡°And I don¡¯t want to tell that to a dog!¡± Alex¡¯s frustration snapped. In an instant, he crossed the distance between them, grabbing her chin roughly. Their faces were mere inches apart, breaths intermingling. Rena tensed but didn¡¯t back down. Instead, she met his gaze with unwavering confidence, a smirk still lingering despite the obvious threat in his hold. ¡°You should stop provoking me if you want to live until we reach the kingdom,¡± he warned, his voice low, deadly. Rena¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You will kill me anyway, so why does it matter, Mr. Hound? Do you like this, perhaps?¡± Alex¡¯s fingers twitched against her skin. She was infuriating. Reckless. A fool. And yet, he found himself unwilling to let go just yet. Her defiance intrigued him, more than it should have. A loud clap of thunder rolled through the night. The rain had begun to ease, slowing to a soft drizzle, but the tension between them remained, thick and unyielding. Finally, with a scoff, Alex released her, stepping back as if the brief contact had burned him. He turned sharply on his heel and strode back to his tent. But before disappearing inside, he pulled the fabric aside just enough to keep her in his line of sight. He leaned against the chair inside, arms crossed, smirking slightly as he observed her from the shelter of his tent. ¡°It¡¯s a good view from here,¡± he mused, voice laced with amusement. Rena didn¡¯t even look at him as she shifted against the tree, eyes fluttering shut. ¡°And it¡¯s ugly for me.¡± Despite her words, she couldn¡¯t deny the weight of his lingering gaze. But she refused to let him have the satisfaction. The rain had stopped, leaving the night eerily quiet save for the occasional rustle of the trees. Rena exhaled slowly, allowing exhaustion to claim her. She would need her strength for what was to come. Alex watched as she finally surrendered to sleep, her steady breaths the only sign of peace in the otherwise tense atmosphere. He should have been resting too, but his mind was restless, thoughts circling the strange, infuriating woman he had captured. She was dangerous. Not because she was a witch. But because she made him curious.