A roar tore through the woods.

It made Casey, Ben and Greg all jump in shock. The two deputies hadn't looked behind them yet, so Casey was the only one who saw that massive man coming. He was almost on top of them before the roar tore through the woods. Ben and Greg spun, staring up at their worst nightmare, right before the man grabbed both of them with his huge hands.

Ben's body was literally thrown at a tree. The large man sent the overweight deputy flying a good ten feet as if he were a toy. Ben hit with a crunch and a loud groan that made Casey cringe as he slumped to the ground. His leg moved but he didn't get up.

The stranger lifted Greg by the front of his shirt. Casey rolled over to see the deputy dangling in the stranger's grasp. The long-haired man snarled deeply to reveal sharp teeth. A high-pitched scream came from Greg, making him sound like a terrified little girl.

A stunned Casey watched as the scene played out before her. Greg was a good six feet tall. The man gripping him held him almost half a foot off the ground, putting them nose to nose.

The stranger viciously snarled at Greg before throwing him away, sending him to the ground with a grunt. Casey didn't turn her head to see how Greg fared, terror kept her staring at the huge man standing above her.

She got a much better look at the man's face when he looked down. He wasn't exactly a man. He was male, she knew that instantly, but what hit her the hardest was he wasn't fully human. This man had a wider, flatter nose than anyone she'd ever seen before. His lips were full and parted with scary teeth peeking out, that reminded her of a dog's long canines. Maybe he was a vampire with those sharp fangs indenting his lower lip, except that is was broad daylight, so she doubted that.

His eyes were startling. Once she met them she couldn't look away. If she had any doubts he wasn't human, they were gone now. His eyes were an unnatural bright, electric blue that almost glowed. Long, thick black eyelashes framed them, making the blue stand out even more.

They were absolutely the most spellbinding things she'd ever seen.

He took a deep breath before his lips slammed shut. The action drew Casey's gaze to his mouth. A set of masculine lips tightened into a firm line before he bent over. Two large hands reached for her.

Casey wanted to scream. She wanted to roll away, but she just couldn't move. Shock froze her. His bare, tan fingers were hot as they wrapped around her arms, just under her shoulders. His touch was firm, but undeniably gentle, as he pulled her off the ground slowly.

There was no doubt that he was strong since she didn't help him lift her. She was too bewildered to get her body to work.

Her legs barely held her weight when he stood her on her feet, making her realize that the top of her head didn't even reach his wide shoulders, almost a foot in height separated them. His firm hands held her while she stared in wonder at those amazing eyes that hypnotized her with their exotic beauty, their gazes locked until he finally looked away.

Casey's attention stayed on him as he studied the two downed men. Their gazes locked again when he swung his head back to her. Thick masculine lips parted slightly as he growled at her.

"Oh God," she breathed. "What are you?"

A softer nonthreatening growl came from him. She would have screamed if his tone was vicious but it was more like he was trying to communicate with her. The truth sunk into Casey slowly.

"You can't speak, can you?" She cleared her throat when it threatened to close up on her.

Frustration was clear on his rugged face. He had a strong jawline, pronounced cheekbones and his wide, flatter nose twitched. Those incredible eyes narrowed in irritation.

With the shake of his head she had her answer.

"You know English? Do you know what I'm saying?"

He nodded.

"Are you a girl?"

A growl tore from his throat in instant protest. Anger sparked in his glowing stare as he shook his head. His fingers tightened for an instant before loosening again on her skin.

"I was just checking to see if you can really understand me. I know you're not a girl." She had to swallow again. Her throat was dry, her heart pounding. "What are you?"

He looked at her for what seemed like forever. The man's intensely strange but gorgeous gaze tore from hers so he could look over her head. His mouth opened as a low growl came from his throat. It was a scary, vicious sound. Rage filled his expression in a heartbeat. His flat nose wrinkled and sharp teeth showed as his lips parted wider. His hold on Casey tightened almost painfully when his fingers tensed. Greg cursed from behind her.

Casey swung her head around. Sitting up, Greg looked terrified while gawking at the large male who held her. His shaking hands went for his sidearm.

"No," Casey yelled. "Don't shoot him."

Greg ignored her, yanking at the gun in his holster. It took him a few tugs to clear it. The weapon waved wildly in their direction. Casey felt horrified at what was happening but she was helpless to stop it.

Hands released Casey's arms to move lower to her hips. She was jerked off her feet and the world went upside down in a heartbeat. The fast movement made her dizzy. A gunshot exploded with a deafening noise.

The man gripping Casey locked his arm behind her knee when he started to run, holding on tightly to her. He moved damn fast. Casey was folded over his body with her hips nestled tightly against the man's shoulder. It didn't hurt but it jarred the breath from her lungs as she bounced on him. The ground passed beneath her at an alarming rate but she didn't scream.

Another gunshot exploded in the woods but the boom wasn't as close.

They were weaving through the trees. Greg shouted in the distance but it wasn't clear what he was saying. Casey guessed he was calling for backup. Was Ben dead? She heard something crack when Ben had hit the tree. Was it his body or the tree that had made that sickening noise? Casey pushed the thought away. She needed to worry about her own ass.