Dominion

Tyler’s breath came in ragged gasps as he bolted through the dense, shadow-laced woods, his legs aching with every pounding stride. On his back, Bella lay limp and bloodied, unconscious, her arms dangling lifelessly over his shoulders. Her blood had soaked into his torn shirt, mixing with his own from a gash along his ribs. The night air was cold, sharp against his skin, but adrenaline pushed him forward, faster, harder.

"Just hold on, Bella," he whispered between breaths, his voice trembling. "We’ll find shelter… we’ll be fine. I promise you—we’ll make it."

Branches lashed against his face as he darted between trees, their twisted limbs clawing at him like the hands of ghosts. Moonlight filtered through the canopy above in scattered beams, painting patches of silver across the forest floor. The earth beneath him was soft, wet with blood and mud, and each step threatened to throw him off balance.

Then—he stumbled.

His boot caught a root. The world tilted.

With a grunt, he hit the ground hard, Bella tumbling from his back and landing with a dull thud beside him. Pain exploded in his chest, but he ignored it, scrambling toward her.

"Bella!" he gasped, crawling to her side. He shook her lightly, brushing her blood-matted hair from her pale face. "Come on, please. Wake up. We’re not safe yet."

Suddenly… the air shifted.

Tyler froze.

A scent—cold, metallic, and sickly sweet—slithered into his nostrils.

His eyes narrowed, his pupils dilating. “No…”

A low chuckle echoed from above.

From the branches of a tree ahead, a figure emerged. Pale, tall, and twisted in posture, a vampire crouched like a predator, its eyes gleaming crimson and its lips curled into a sadistic grin.

"Look at you… poor little creatures," it hissed, voice distorted, slithering like smoke. "So lost. So broken. Stranded in the dark."

Tyler rose to his feet, fists clenched, trembling with rage. Blood ran down his side, but he didn’t care. Not now.

"You," he growled, voice low and dangerous. "You attacked my family… You’ll pay for that."

The vampire let out a distorted laugh. "Your family? Fools. They should’ve died long ago. Weak. Just like you."

A tremor ran through Tyler’s frame. His eyes glowed—icy blue igniting like fire—and his skin rippled as bones twisted and muscles swelled. In seconds, his human form vanished, replaced by a massive beast—his werewolf form—a towering black wolf streaked with hints of deep red across his mane and back.

Without warning, the vampire lunged from the tree like a missile, claws outstretched. Tyler met him head-on with a roar that shook the woods. They collided mid-air, a blur of snarls and slashes, fur and flesh, strength against speed.

The vampire was fast—too fast.

With one brutal swing, it slammed Tyler into a thick tree. Bark exploded. The trunk cracked. Tyler grunted in pain but didn’t fall. He shook off the blow and charged, teeth bared.

They clashed again.

Tyler bit into the vampire’s shoulder, throwing it across the clearing. The creature crashed into the underbrush, only to flip mid-air and land on its feet.

"You can’t win, mutt," the vampire spat. "You're nothing but a frightened pup!"

It darted forward with terrifying speed, striking Tyler square in the chest. The blow sent him flying across the clearing. He hit a jagged rock with a sickening thud and crumpled to the ground, blood dribbling from his snout.

But he rose.

Shaking, battered, his blue eyes blazed with fury.

"I… will never… let you hurt her again," Tyler growled.

He sprinted toward the vampire, faster this time, fueled by something deeper than rage—love, grief, vengeance. As the vampire lunged, Tyler ducked beneath its strike and lunged upward, jaws snapping.

With a feral roar, he sank his teeth deep into the vampire’s neck. The creature screamed, thrashing violently, claws raking against Tyler’s sides—but Tyler held on. He clenched tighter, crushing the throat, feeling bones crack and blood gush.

The vampire’s movements slowed. Then stopped.

With one final wrench, Tyler tore the creature’s throat out and hurled the limp body aside.

Silence fell.

Panting, he shifted back into human form, staggering toward Bella. His limbs trembled, his body cut and bruised, but none of that mattered.

She still lay where he had left her—silent, unmoving.

"Bella…" he whispered, falling to his knees beside her. He pulled her gently into his arms, checking her pulse. Relief flooded him when he felt the faint thump beneath her skin.

"We’re not safe here," he murmured, lifting her onto his back once more. "But I’ve got you. I’m not letting go. Not ever."

He turned from the battle-scarred clearing, his bare feet bleeding as he walked. The moon above lit his path forward. And in the distance, somewhere beyond the trees—hope waited.

The wind whispered through the trees as Tyler trudged along the damp forest path, his legs heavy and trembling beneath the weight of his unconscious sister, Bella. Her blood still clung to his back, mixing with his own, staining his torn clothes. Every breath he drew felt like a battle—his chest burned, his limbs ached, and darkness teased the edges of his vision. Yet he kept moving, driven by desperation and the vow he had made to protect her.

Then he saw it. A flicker of dim light ahead, breaking through the thicket like a beacon of hope. A house.

Relief washed over him as he approached the wooden door. His knees threatened to buckle as he laid Bella gently on the porch. With the last of his strength, he knocked.

The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with tired eyes and a lantern in his hand. He looked at the bloodied siblings and gasped.

“Please, sir,” Tyler said, panting. “We were attacked… I need help for my sister.”

Without hesitation, the man swung the door wide open. “Bring her inside. Quickly. It’s not safe at night.”

Inside the humble wooden home, the man laid Bella carefully on a small bed near the hearth. “My name is Mr. Benson,” he said, grabbing a blanket. “You’re lucky you found this place.”

“Thank you,” Tyler murmured, still standing, his body tense.

“You need to treat your wounds,” Mr. Benson insisted.

“I’ll be fine,” Tyler said, eyes shifting warily around the room. “My name is Tyler… and that’s my sister, Bella. Our family was attacked. My parents… they didn’t make it.”

Mr. Benson’s expression darkened. “I’m sorry. You’re safe here—for now. Stay as long as you need.”

Tyler nodded. But then—he froze.

A cold scent drifted through the cracks in the wooden walls. His nostrils flared. A vampire.

“Stay inside,” Tyler said sharply, already stepping toward the door.

“What is it?” Mr. Benson asked, alarmed.

Tyler ignored the question and stepped outside, his wounds already beginning to heal. The night was colder now. Still.

Then a voice—soft, feminine, and laced with menace.

“So you’re the one who killed my partner.”

A beautiful woman appeared from the shadows, her hair cascading in red and black waves down her back. Her eyes glowed with malice.

“He attacked my family,” Tyler growled. “He deserved what he got.”

She smiled coldly. “So touching. But that has nothing to do with me. I’m going to kill you.”

“Get inside,” Tyler told Mr. Benson without turning around.

The man obeyed, slamming the door behind him.

The woman’s nails extended like claws. “Let’s see if you scream like he did.”

Tyler shifted, fur bristling as his form morphed into a powerful black wolf. She lunged at him, faster and stronger than the last vampire. Her kicks sent him crashing into trees, her claws slicing into his sides. Every attack was brutal, relentless. Tyler fought back, but he couldn’t land a solid hit. Her strength was unnatural.

“I’ll tear you apart,” she snarled, pinning him to the ground. “Then I’ll kill your little sister.”

Tyler’s eyes widened. He tried to twist free—until a blur of red and brown shot out from the trees.

With speed that defied logic, a massive werewolf tackled the vampire, hurling her across the forest like a ragdoll. The vampire tried to rise—but with a loud, sickening snap, her neck broke. She crumpled to the forest floor, lifeless.

Tyler’s jaw dropped. The red-brown werewolf—larger than any he’d seen—turned to him, locking eyes for a brief moment before disappearing into the shadows.

Moments later, Mr. Benson rushed out. “Tyler! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Tyler said, though his legs wobbled beneath him.

“I called a friend,” Mr. Benson said, helping him up.

From the house emerged a boy around Tyler’s age. He was striking—dark red eyes, defined muscles, confident stride.

“This is Conner,” Mr. Benson introduced. “Conner, meet Tyler.”

Tyler stared, stunned. “You know about werewolves? And vampires?”

Mr. Benson chuckled. “There’s more going on in this world than you realize. Yes, I know.”

Conner crossed his arms. “You’re weak. Do better next time.”

Tyler bristled. “You have no idea what I’ve been through.”

“Not my problem,” Conner said flatly, walking back inside.

Tyler followed him in, glancing at Bella still resting on the bed.

“She’s pretty,” Conner said casually.

“Watch your mouth,” Tyler growled.

“Enough,” Mr. Benson said. “Tyler, Conner belongs to a powerful family that protects wolves like you. Tomorrow, you’ll go with him to the Davidson Mansion. You’ll meet others like yourself. Vampires are growing bolder. If we don’t act, humanity will suffer as the population is growing slimmer, tyler what you and your sister are about to experience is like no other are you ready to join the cause.”

Tyler looked at his unconscious sister, he realised she was the only family she had left and he would do anything to protect her his eyes narrowed. “I’m ready.”