Page 8 of Monsterland Mayhem

Shouts and growlstrail behind me as I sprint through the courtyard.

I can no longer feel my feet, my shoes cutting off the circulation to my toes. But I can’t stop—won’tstop—running.

At least my dress feels looser, I think, not bothering to determine why. There isn’t time. All I can do isgo.

If they catch me, I’ll end up in Monsterland. Where the Silver King willbreedme.

A shiver runs through me despite the heat assaulting my veins.

I donotwant to be bred.

I just… I just want to be free. To be in the woods. To run with Beast. To live a carefree existence.

“Ailsa! Stop!”

I ignore the voice and keep running. Faster. Harder. With no real direction in mind, just… forward. Away. Anywhere but here.

Gods, this is bad. Very, very bad.

Something hisses near my ear, a sizzling sound that seems to echo all around me.

I gasp as another shock wave ripples through the air, resulting in grunts and shrieks all around.

What is happening to me? Since when do I have electrical powers?It feels foreign, like the gift isn’t actually mine, just covering me from head to toe.

An impossible sensation.

And yet, it zaps again when someone nears me. Like a protective shield.

I shiver and stumble, then shoot forward in an effort to reach the district gates. Pounding follows in my wake. I’m not sure if those boots belong to sentries or monsters. I don’t care. I simplyrun.

More of that static energy hums over me as I pass through the iron gates, creating a current in my wake. Or I assume that’s the cause of the buzzing I hear.

Screams echo behind me. I don’t turn to see the reason for them; I’m too focused on the trees ahead.

The forest.

My home.

My favorite place to hide.

Every step closer relieves a weight from my back, allowing me to push myself even more as I approach the edge of the trees.

I duck beneath the overgrown branches, then swerve toward the path I know by heart. Only, just before I find it, a giant white wolf jumps in my way.

A yelp catches in my throat as I stumble, trying not to land on Beast, but it’s too late. I fall into his soft fur with anOomph, then roll to the side toward a nearby evergreen.

Oh, no…I look to the edge of the forest, expecting to see my many pursuers. However, no one is there. At least not until Beast blocks my view with his gorgeous face. He leans down to scent my neck, something he’s done since our very first meeting.

A subtle rumble touches his chest, the sound more purr than growl, then he slowly backs up and cocks his head in a “follow me” sort of way.

He’s done this before, but I’m not sure now is the time for another of our adventures.

I’m about to say as much when a trumpet sounds nearby, sending a chill down my spine.

Because that loud noise is swiftly followed by my name, demanding my immediate return.

Beast nuzzles me with his snout and repeats the motion.