Ripper didn't know what to think, but he knew one thing for certain: the girl with the three men was to be his. He had watched her ever since she was taken in by that revolutionary John Connor. Ever since he had killed her other siblings, Ripper had been waiting. Now only Cinder was left, and she was to be his and his alone. He curled his claws into the wooden planks of the dilapidated house and licked the slobber from his salivating jaws. He would love to sink his teeth into that sweet flesh of hers, to make her his, to tame her.

But killing those three military men would be a challenge. They had muscle, but what they lacked, he made up for in cunning. So slowly, surely, the predator followed the four humans out of the building and into the already darkening town square.

"We need to get back to the base," Cinder said, her voice lilting in a beautiful, almost soothing way that made heat pool between Ripper's legs. His tail twitched.

Not yet, he reminded himself. Keep back, kill her friends first, then take her. Court her if you have to.

Ripper slinked through the shadows, his scaled skin blending with the night. He could hear their voices growing fainter as they moved deeper into the square, oblivious to his presence. The tension thrummed within him, a cocktail of anticipation and hunger.

He'd watched them, studied them. The soldier with the accent—Soap—was brash and reckless, often rushing into situations. That would be easy prey. Gaz, on the other hand, was cautious; he had a keen eye and might be a problem. But it was the one in black—Ghost—who seemed most like a lion among sheep. He would need a diversion to split them up.

Ripper caught sight of movement—Gaz leaning into a dilapidated shop, likely searching for supplies. Perfect. Under the guise of a sudden noise, he would draw them away. The plan began to form in his mind, wraithlike and fluid.

A loud crash erupted from a pile of debris on the opposite side of the square, a ruse he orchestrated with a flick of his powerful tail. The sound was enough to grab their attention, a cacophony meant to instill panic.

"Hey! What was that?" Soap shouted, spinning around, his instinct to protect Cinder kicking in.

"Stay close!" Ghost barked, eyes scanning the perimeter, but the wheels were already in motion. Gaz, distracted by the noise, stepped away from Cinder as he moved towards the source, while Soap followed closely.

In that moment of distraction, Ripper seized the opportunity; he darted toward Cinder, the primal hunger driving him forward. His heart raced and every fiber of his being thrummed with unbridled anticipation.

Cinder whirled around, eyes wide with recognition. The moment seemed to stretch like a taut wire, and for a heartbeat, she was frozen.

"Cinder! Get back!" Gaz's voice cut through the haze, but it barely registered. Ripper lunged, claws poised and teeth bared, drawn inexplicably to her.

But at the last moment, Cinder turned and sprinted toward the shelter of the ruins, quickly luring Ripper into a chase.

He could only wonder if it was fear or instinct that compelled her to run, but he could feel the thrill coursing through him. The hunt was on. He would catch her, and once he did, the game would begin. The three men would fall, one way or another, and she would be his. All his—body and soul.

With a satisfied growl, Ripper pursued, every muscle coiled and ready, each stride merging instinct with ruthless determination. This was the beginning of his conquest, and he couldn't be more eager.

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"There's no use in hiding, pet," Ripper cooed as he clawed his way up a dilapidated, rusting stairwell. The metal groaned under his weight, and he grunted with each step, his claws scraping against the metal. As he sprung up, the stairs began to snap under him, metallic shards scattering like broken dreams. He panted heavily, adrenaline surging through him as he reached the sturdier wooden steps. The scent of his prey—Cinder's sweet aroma—mingled with the sharp tang of blood, guiding him closer. Ripper smirked, his lips curling in anticipation, every instinct urging him forward.

"I will find you, Cinder, and you will be mine," he growled softly, feeling the thrill of the hunt electrify his senses. Finally.

The wooden steps creaked ominously under his weight, but he paid them little mind; every sound was merely the orchestra accompanying his conquest. Ahead, the corridor stretched into shadows, the dim light casting eerie flickers that danced across the walls. He could sense her presence lingering, a telltale heartbeat echoing in the stillness of the house.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Ripper taunted, his voice dripping with a sinister charm. The chase invigorated him; each moment heightened his hunger, stoking the flames of his desire. He imagined the moment he would finally lay eyes on her, how her fear would transform into something else entirely once he had her cornered.

Cinder's footsteps were muffled, yet he could swear he heard her quickened breath, the way it hitched in her throat. She was close, and that knowledge sent a thrill coursing through him. Ripper rounded a corner, the shadows swirling around him, tightening the grip of the atmosphere, wrapping him in its dark embrace.

"Don't be scared, little flower. I know this is all very confusing, but I promise you'll love what I have in store," he called, allowing a playful growl to escape, punctuating his words with a hint of menace. He relished the imagery of her struggle, the delightful terror that would dance in her eyes once he emerged from the darkness.

Suddenly, he caught a glimmer of movement—a fleeting shadow. Ripper rushed forward, claws outstretched. He could almost taste her now, the tantalizing closeness igniting his primal instincts. The chase became a passionate ballet between predator and prey, one he intended to win.

"Don't hide for too long, Cinder," he hissed, a low rasp that mingled with the sound of the creaking wood beneath him. "You'll only make this more thrilling for me."

He sensed her hesitation, the way she edged deeper into the neglected hall, seeking respite. But Ripper's burning resolve was unyielding. With a sudden surge of speed, he barreled down the corridor—a blur of scales and muscle, his every thought consumed by the singular focus of claiming what was his.

As he neared the end of the hallway, where the shadows conspired with the flickering light, he felt something shift in the air. A mix of defiance and fear whispered through the silence, and an unholy grin spread across Ripper's face.

Soon, Cinder. Soon, it would be just us. There would be no escape, no rescue, and no more running. Just the two of us in a dance of desire and domination. He could already feel the walls closing in, her fate entwined with his—and it set his heart racing in hunger.