Page 8 of Mated to the Vikings

Crack!

A bloodcurdling scream shot through the group, panic keeping everyone else frozen in place. One of us was being attacked.

“Fuck,” Greg hissed through clenched teeth, swinging his weapon as he turned in a full circle.

Thump!

“No!” Dr. Chen screamed, his arms flailing as he was dragged with tremendous speed toward the densest portion of the forest. “Help me!”

Everything seemed out of focus, larger than life monsters with little more than outlines of their hulking figures storming closer. One of them jerked the doctor into the air, tossing him with ease. I couldn’t stand to watch, but I did, fascinated by the melee.

“Oh, God. No!” Dr. Atkins had no chance to make a run for it, her body jerked up and slammed down by the unseen source.

I took gulping breaths, still jogging backwards, tumbling in the snow twice. I reached out, fighting paralyzing panic, but there was no one to grab.

“Come on. Run for it. You have to run.” A hand gripped my jacket, yanking me hard but not before I caught the sight of Brenda being ripped apart, blood spurting onto the frozen turf. In shock, I didn’t react until Greg jerked me again, pointing his weapon around me and firing a series of shots.

Something howled in pain, but that didn’t stop the aggressor. The next victim was tossed like a rag doll deeper into the forest. Numb all over, I blinked in an effort to focus, trying to make out what I was seeing.

“Get going! Get the fuck going!” Greg demanded, popping off another series of shots in the direction of the attack.

Both Shane and Samuel shot past me, trudging through the forest, their faces paralyzed with panic. Ice and snow continued to fall, stained in crimson. I noticed Dr. Consuelos crawling toward us, anguish covering his face. Everything was surreal, time almost standing still.

“Help. Me.” I don’t know how I was able to understand his dying words as a series of keening growls permeated the air, but I did, and the sound would forever haunt me.

Run. Run. Run! I was drowning in a quicksand of ice, my feet slipping.

A deep roar rumbled through the forest, stilling every other creature. I heard a series of thunderous noises. They were coming.

They were coming for me.

Suddenly, I was alone and in a few seconds of insanity where there was no doubt I was going to die, I saw his face. A very human face but there was something wrong. No, not wrong exactly. The look of this amazing creature was like a vision from the heavens above, rugged and handsome. How could I think this way? I was frozen with fear, but my mind reeling as electricity soared between us. Then a second and a third creature emerged from the frozen shadows, their faces appearing as if from distant planets, not from the depths of the forest. These weren’t beasts of this world, but creations from another.

An unsettling feeling rushed through my mind, creating a series of tingles along every inch of skin. I was mesmerized, unable to move.

One beast stepped forward, his body moving through the snow with ease. Massive in size and structure, he stood at well over seven feet tall. Long dark hair, matted with snow and ice, framed an angular, chiseled face. He was covered in fur pelts and for a few seconds I thought I was witnessing a Viking in battle. While there was no way to make out his features, I could see his eyes as they bore into mine, penetrating into my very soul.

Even in the blinding snow, I was able to lock onto his amazing emerald green eyes, flecks of gold and amethyst glowing in the dimness. The fantasy. His expression was carnal, laced with extreme danger, but his actions toward me weren’t a threat, merely curiosity.

And hunger.

I could almost read his mind, his primitive thoughts regarding feasting.

And fucking.

His burning gaze made my tummy buzz, my nipples harden, desire burning my flesh. Everything about this was preposterous, being turned on by some flesh-eating monster, but my mouth was dry from a building excitement. I was jittery, even in the freezing cold, trying to catch my breath as his gaze deepened, hardened by the horrific life he’d led.

I hadn’t realized I’d taken several steps closer, drawn to him by a connection that could not be denied. I lifted my arm, struggling to reach him. To touch him. He came even closer, his growl rumbling into my very core. My body was warm, infused with an intense longing penetrating every muscle and cell. My pussy clenched, a reaction I hadn’t experienced other than in a dream in a very long time. I could almost gather a scent of cream slickening my panties, an absolute impossibility.

There was nothing else but this creature, this beautiful and masculine being.

And he wanted me.

He cocked his head, taking cautious steps, studying me in a manner that could only be described as seductive, undressing me with his eyes. The intimacy shared between us was explosive, so unexpected that I had no sense of anything else but this moment. There was no doubt what he was thinking.

What he was desiring.

I heard his growl, a deep rumble coming from the pit of his stomach. This was the sound of ownership, possession.