The Prey

“Where have you been?” Her voice was calm yet pierced through me as I avoided eye contact with her. The kind that made my heart twist painfully.

“I was…” The words died in my throat.

“You always disappear without a word.” She took a step closer, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “I looked for you everywhere. I was fucking worried, and you didn’t even see it necessary to text me?”

“Alina—”

“Is someone bothering you?” Her tone softened and her eyes searched mine as I swallowed hard. “Are you in some kind of danger?”

My breath hitched. Why did she think that? A chill ran down...