Deadly Spire

[Erlind]

He hated being at her mercy. Curled against the wall she looked so weak, but she still had more freedom than he did. She had told him she wasn't letting him go, so why was she still here? While she was willing to listen though, he was willing to feed her lies.

“I remember a time when I ran through the trees. There was mountains. I hunted free. It is all so faint though. That human brat stole it from me, but I can't remember how or even when. Too often it feels like a dream, and that I have never been free. I don't know why you care. If you're not going to free me you're just taunting me, making me think about these things.”

The strange part of his story was how much of it was true. Neither side of Kendrick really remembered what had happened. The human brat had been climbing up in the Himalayas somewhere, like any good trust fund baby, and when he'd woken up days later the beast was a part of him. Kendrick remembered hunting in those mountains, but had never experienced it.

He was lost in thought for a moment and almost calm, but then the snarl returned, “I don't need this kind of torture.”

 

[DarkEmpress]

“I don't know why you care. If you're not going to free me you're just taunting me, making me think about these things.”

“I am not trying to taunt you,” Claire said earnestly. “I can’t sleep and you are certainly not sleeping either, so we may as well keep each other company,” she reasoned. What she withheld was the fact that she didn’t want to be alone. Claire didn’t feel safe, and as absurd as it sounded, she felt safer in this room with the wolf than she did alone in her sleeping chamber.

“I don't need this kind of torture.”

Claire nodded in agreement, racking her brain trying to think of something she could do to atone for his involuntary incarceration.

“Would you like something to eat?” she asked on the spur of the moment and then frowned. What exactly would he eat? It was a challenge and Claire’s eyes lit up as she pushed herself up from the floor and darted out the door. Even if it took the entire night, she would find something that Wolf would like ... maybe she could even find a way to cure him of his permanent snarl.

Idly standing in front of the fridge, Claire let her eyes roam across the contents considering each on its merit. The salad tray didn’t quite seem the right place to start. Her thoughts then moved to meat ... would he like it cooked ... raw? ...

Claire froze...

A dark shadow passed on the opposite wall, reflected by the light from a window. She immediately ducked under a table, trying to control her breathing that was increasing exponentially ... her heart hammering in her chest. The two forms slowly sidled past the kitchen door, garbed in black and holding darting rifles in front of them, cocked and ready.

Please ... please don’t find me...

She waited a few seconds ... a lifetime ... until she was sure they were out of range and then she sprang to action. Keeping to the shadows, Claire crept back to the corridor. She was about to step in when an odd hissing sound echoed through the silence. A surge of pain registered on her system as a dart found a home in Claire’s shoulder, a gasp escaping her lips.

There was no time to think. She broke into a run and catapulted herself down the staircase, trying to pull the dart out as she ran. She could hear a scurry behind her as footsteps followed.

Her eyes were wide, fear etched in them as Claire arrived at the door. She could feel her hands go numb, her legs becoming wobbly as she braced herself against the wall. “Wolf...” she breathed his name in a desperate plea, staring at the key to his bindings for a moment. He was the lesser of two evils and if it meant that she had to die at his hands this night, then it would be better than to be taken by them...

Claire grabbed for the keys ... but they slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. Collapsing next to them, Claire pushed her thumb through the key ring and dragged herself to Wolf’s side. Tears were streaking down her cheeks, fear making her tremble, which did not help at all.

Somehow, she managed to push herself up against his chair and it took a try or two before she placed the key in the lock. The 'click' echoed through the room as his hand was freed ... Claire falling to the floor motionless in a pathetic little bundle. Her eyes were open, staring up at him pleadingly. The neuromuscular blocking drug leaving her paralysed ... her mind crystal clear.

 

[Erlind]

She was motionless now, but it was clear she was still aware. “Claire was it?” he asked her mockingly, “you've made a big mistake tonight Claire.” With his hand free he finally had the leverage his human counterpart had denied him, the simple leverage he needed to tear himself from this simple prison. The wolf started by ripping the metal band around his other wrist out of the chair.

“You have saved yourself, don't worry,” he told her as the metal around his chest screeched and twisted. “But you've damned so many others to do it. At least you'll live to regret that mistake though.” Once the last of the metal bands were ripped away he stood up, stretched out, and let an earsplitting howl out into the night. Claws from his foot came to rest on her neck and he turned her face to look at him “We'll play once I've taken care of your friends,” he promised.

Kendrick was then gone from the room. The invading men were already scouring the house, looking for the girl no doubt. It made him wonder why briefly, but he somehow doubted they would be up to negotiating with him. Silently he stalking them, eager for his first taste of human flesh in too many years. They thought the darkness was giving them an edge, but how wrong they were.

A flash of violence and shots were fired. Two darts hit him before he tore the first man's throat out. He ripped the darts from his shoulder, fortunately they didn't have the same effect on him as they did on Claire. Lights began to go on in the mansion, but Kendrick stuck to the shadows. Two more went down without knowing what hit them. The last one seemed to be a leader. He took down the man with him first and another dart was lodged in his chest. The wolf man ripped the gun from the man's hands and lifted him off the ground.

“You are in my home hunting what is mine. That was a mistake. All of your men are dead. For them it was quick, but you will not be so lucky.” A chance to finally wreak real carnage. He threw the man like a doll against the front door, breaking it open and leaving the thug coughing and holding his side on the ground. The beast stalked towards him, but a deafening sound and pain ripping through his shoulder stopped him. He turned to see the old man on the stairs with his shotgun, the thug would have to wait. Another shout rang through the air and hit his chest knocking him back. These wounds would have been enough to tear a normal man apart, but they only slowed this beast down. As Alfred reloaded he bounded up the stairs and threw him down them, sickening snapping sounds following him down.

Between the poison of the darts and the buckshot from Alfred Kendrick's head was beginning to swim. His home was safe again, but it wouldn't matter if he bled out as a human. The was only one other person left alive in the manor was recovering from paralysis in his former prison.

Slowly and carefully he made his way back down that staircase. Blood matted his fur down his right arm and his muzzle. Strange bloody prints were left behind on the floor and the rail. “Claire, are you down here Claire?” He had no idea how long she'd stay paralyzed, but it would be helpful if she came out of it soon. “Hope you didn't run off on me,” he called again. Finally, the door swung open and his hulking form filled the doorway.

 

[DarkEmpress]

“We'll play once I've taken care of your friends.”

Those words screamed through her mind. Claire watched helplessly as the wolf stepped on her throat, forcing her to watch him as he made his deadly promise.

The next moment he was gone and Claire was left alone on the concrete floor, imprisoned in her body. The sounds that came from the floor above were terrifying. Shouts and screams … gunshots.

Slowly, sensation started coming back to her limbs like pins and needles. She needed to run, get away from the goddamned house, away from the trappings and away from the incredible fear that was making her chest rasp with every halted breath she took.

Move Claire! For god’s sake MOVE!!

Something crashed upstairs sending a deafening echo down the corridor and to the door. Her eyes were impossibly wide in her face and she was as pale as death as Claire lay staring at the door, praying for a few more minutes.

Gunshots boomed through the house … not dart shots either, which made Claire jump, her heart hammering in her chest. The faster it beat, the quicker the tranquiliser faded from her system.

Where the hell is Kendrick!?

She was able to drag herself across the floor a few seconds later. If she could only lock the door from the inside, somehow, but that was not what this prison was built for. Disheartened, Claire turned back to the chair and made her slow, laborious way there. Wrapping her hands around the armrests of the mangled and destroyed chair, Claire pulled herself up onto wobbly legs holding on to the headrest for support.

It was growing quiet upstairs and for a moment, Claire had the inkling of hope, however vague, that they all managed to kill each other in the struggle. Wouldn’t it be poetic? An entire gang of armed men and a wolf, pitting themselves against each other in a battle to the death … over her. Claire grimaced at the bleak prospect.

Even in her worst nightmares, she never possibly could have perpetuated a horror of these proportions.

Feet being dragged across the floor reached her ears as a very familiar voice snarled, “Claire, are you down here Claire?” She heard the footsteps slowly shuffling down the stairs, could feel the fear wrapping around her chest and constrict her breathing as she simply stood staring at the door. Even if she wanted to run, she could not. Her body would not allow it … nor would he step aside and let her.

“Hope you didn't run off on me.”

Seconds later, the doorway was filled with the big, bulky form of Wolf and Claire could not quell the petrified whimper that left her lips. Had he killed them all? Her moral compass was at ends whether it was good or bad news. They certainly deserved every ounce of pain and suffering he metered at them for what they have done … for what they were going to do to her.

Wolf was badly injured. She could see a trail of blood on the floor behind him, the thick amber liquid matted to his fur.

Claire did the only thing that made sense. Without thinking, she tore a piece of fabric from her shirt and walked to him on shaky legs. Reaching him, she gently tied the fabric around his shoulder in an attempt to stop the bleeding, avoiding eye contact, her hands trembling. Regardless of what he had promised, he had saved her life. The least she could do was return the favour … even if it landed up being the last thing she did on this earth.

 

[Erlind]

“How sweet, if utterly foolish,” Kendrick told her pulling away from her. The blood stained scrap of fabric stuck to his bloodied hide. He bent down and groaned as he reached under the sink, stretching the wounded shoulder. He produced a large white box with a red cross on it. The bestial man threw it on the ground at Claire's feet and than eased himself onto the floor, laying back against the door to the room, the only exit.

The adrenaline of the combat and violence of upstairs was beginning to wear off and pain was slowly creeping forward. The fact that she came forward willingly meant she would continue to help him, at least until he gave her a stronger reason not to help. He would give her that reason, but for now he could use her. His massive chest moved with heavy breath and he looked over to his lone captive. She was so small compared to him, if he really wanted he could snap her like a twig.

“You wanted to help the big bad wolf, so do it. I do hope your not squeamish though, because there is still buckshot in me. If you don't take it out you will have a nasty surprise come morning.” The beast laughed at her, but it soon trailed off into a choking cough. He was more hurt than he wanted to admit. The first aid box would have plenty of gauze, tweezers, and everything else she would need. Alfred and his human self had always been prepared for an attack if not an escape.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Claire jumped as the box fell at her feet. She looked up at him briefly before her eyes riveted on the white metal object. The only knowledge she had was from a first aid class she took at college. She knew the basics … digging buckshot out of the flesh of a living, breathing creature was something entirely different.

“You wanted to help the big bad wolf, so do it. I do hope you’re not squeamish though, because there is still buckshot in me. If you don't take it out you will have a nasty surprise come morning.”

Frowning slightly at his comment, Claire’s mind went into overdrive. “I … I don’t know if I can do this,” she said, but the snarl on his face clearly stated that there were no options here. He was blocking her only exit and she knew she could not idly sit by and watch him die … though she may live to regret that decision.

Taking a deep breath, Claire lowered herself onto her knees and perused the contents of the box. Taking out what she thought she would need, she placed it in the lid and moved it next to Wolf. Her hands were visibly trembling as she walked to the sink and washed them thoroughly.

Walking back, she sat back down and stared at him for the longest moment. “This will hurt,” she said softly as she went about cleaning the wound. With determination, Claire tried to block him out of her mind and focus on the injury. It would have been infinitely easier if he was tranquilised … but then again, he would never agree to that, not under these conditions.

“Brace yourself,” Claire said as she dug into his shoulder with the tweezers. Every howl that left his lips, the anguished groans that came from him felt as if they were slicing through the core of her being. By the time she pulled the last piece of metal from his flesh, Claire was crying … her hands shaking, covered in blood.

“I’m so sorry,” she kept whispering as if she needed to atone for the pain she was causing him. He was bleeding quite badly now and Claire tried as best she could to bandage him up to try stop it. He was going to need antibiotics to stop infection, which was absent from the box.

There was nothing more terrifying than an animal in severe pain and something as big and powerful as Wolf even more so. She found painkillers in the box and quickly washed her hands … the dark crimson liquid spiralling down the drain. Pouring a glass of water, Claire held the three tablets out to him, “Please … drink this.”

 

[Erlind]

Kendrick couldn't help, but let out pained howls as his captive pulled the metal from his flesh. Still, as much as it hurt, Claire's touch was strangely kind. Knowing what he was and what he had done this girl still didn't want to see him suffer. It was a strange observation. When she finished she offered him drugs, and though the pain seared itself into his mind he couldn't accept them.

“Those are for the brat,” he told her and knocked her hand away sending the pills rolling across the dirty floor. He wanted to take her there and then, but his body was in too much pain to go along with the thought. The beast healed much quicker than his human self, but a lot of damage had been done. Kendrick looked almost thoughtfully for a moment before standing, towering over her.

“You fixed me up and more importantly you brought a bit of fun into this boring old prison for my coming out party. Claire, I'm going to let you live.” He spoke as if he was going out of her way and doing her some favor. Then he opened the heavy door and slipped through it, closing and locking it behind him. “Sleep tight, little girl,” he called out before heading up the stairs. He'd want her later, and the brat would get rid of him given the chance.

The first part of his night was spent in the kitchen. It had been so long since he'd eaten food himself. He started water boiling for pasta, but started on a marinating rare roast in the refrigerator. He broke off the top of a wine bottle and drank down its contents. He ate until he could eat no more and then he trashed the kitchen. The brat would be in pain in the morning.

Next he went around the house, trashing things he disliked and things he knew the brat adored. Piles of books were shredded. A pile of furniture became a bonfire in front of the prison. Regardless of the pain, it was a night of revelry and the bodies were left to lay where they were with the exception of the last thug, he was gone.

At the end of the night as the sun began to rise the wolf stumbled back down that stairway. As he began to change Kendrick howled in the pain that came with the transformation, doubled by his wounds. The last thing the wolf consciously did was unlock the door to his former prison before collapsing at the bottom of the stairs. Alfred was dead. The servants would see the devastation and not come back. The chair was damaged beyond immediate repair. The wolf was free and he always would be. For now, however, a naked battered Kendrick Spire lay passed out at the foot of the stairs.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Claire was staring down at him angrily after he knocked her hand away. She was trying to help him, not frikking murder him. He suddenly shifted and stood to his full length, which made Claire take a few steps back, still glaring at him.

“You fixed me up and more importantly you brought a bit of fun into this boring old prison for my coming out party. Claire, I'm going to let you live.”

“That is so comforting to hear,” she retorted sarcastically.

Before she could do or say anything else, he left through the door and she could hear the deadbolt slide in place. “Noooooo,” Claire screeched as she launched herself at the door, hammering on it.

“Sleep tight, little girl,”

“You bastard! Let me go!!” Claire screamed in futility, banging her fist against the door. She had no idea how long she had stood screaming and banging, he was obviously not coming back. Finally letting up, she walked around the room like a caged animal, anger and fury kindling in her eyes like an ominous storm. She was having long conversations with the ungrateful son of a bitch in her mind, thinking of all the things she could have done and should have said.

For starters, she should have refused to help him!

Secondly, she should have made it hurt more!

Thirdly, she should have never come down here!

“Ugh!” Claire grimaced as she sank to the floor in the corner, resting her chin on her knees … staring at the door. Things were being thrown about upstairs, scraping on the floor above. She did not want to know what he was getting up to nor did she really care at this stage.

Every option was bleak. Outside mercenaries trading on the black market were waiting to hunt her like some animal. The winning member who managed to get his hands her, would be the one deciding her fate. Upstairs a wolf … animal … thing … was busy tearing the house apart. How did her world go from being serenely normal to completely thrown off its axis!?

She was probably safer in here and as the minutes ticked by, her eyelids grew heavier and Claire eventually fell asleep.

~~~~***~~~~​

Claire awoke with a start. A deafening howl echoed through the room and she slowly rose to her feet, staring at the door with wide eyes, her heart hammering in her chest.

Had he sated his desire for destruction? Was he coming back for her now?

The howl slowly morphed into an anguished scream that had a human quality to it as the deadbolt slid open again. She could hear something slide to the floor against the door before it went quiet … deathly quiet.

Standing absolutely still for a moment, Claire slowly willed herself to move, taking small steps to the door. She stretched her hand out and slowly pulled the door open before her eyes froze in horror.

On the floor laid Kendrick, he was hurt … naked. Claire scrambled as she knelt next to him, gently shaking his shoulder. “Kendrick?” she asked as she rolled him onto his back. He was out like a candle and as Claire’s hands slowly moved to inspect his wounds, she found a bandage haphazardly slung around his shoulder … the wounds looking oddly familiar…

She had put the same bandage around Wolf…

Claire gasped … comprehension dawning.

“It was you?” she asked incredulously to his still form, all the puzzle pieces falling into place. Why he disappeared every night, why Wolf was kept in a room that locked from the outside … all the remarks Wolf had made about the ‘brat’. It all made sense now.

But it didn’t.

How was it even possible?

She just sat staring at him…

Finally rising to her feet, she tried to think what to do. She could not just leave him here. Running up the stairs she was met with devastation, the entire house in complete disarray, the kitchen completely destroyed … dead bodies … everywhere!

Albert’s mangled body laid in a crumpled heap at the foot of the staircase and Claire nearly doubled up on herself. She had done this … she had set Wolf free … and this is what he did. “Noo!” she cried, her hands in tight fists at her side, remorse in her eyes.

Shaking her head in disbelief, Claire tried to get a grip … acting on pure instinct.

She went to one of the rooms and ripped the sheets off the bed. Making her way back to Kendrick, she rolled him onto the sheet and then tried to pull him up the stairs, which she could not manage. Sitting for a moment just staring at him, Claire shifted to plan B and tried to make him as comfortable as she could.

Fishing the pain tablets from the floor, she quickly rinsed them under the tap and left them next to Kendrick with a glass of water. Running up the stairs again, looking for a pillow she ran past the front door, oblivious of the dark figure standing in it.

The next moment a pair of strong arms clamped around her waist pinning her arms to her side … a soaked cloth pressed to her mouth and nose. Claire squirmed and fought for all she was worth, but as her oxygen levels depleted … so did her strength, until she was hanging limply in his arms.

He turned Claire around and lifted her effortlessly in his arms, staring down into her still face for a moment. Her photo didn’t do her justice. “You’re mine now,” he whispered to her in a reverent voice as he walked out of Kendrick’s house.

 

[Erlind]

He always slept after changing, but this was different. Kendrick woke feeling woozy and the world didn't seem quite right. Jumbled flashes of the night slipped through his mind, but even what he could piece together made no sense to him. As he laid there he stared up and seeing the ceiling he realized what was wrong. He wasn't in his chair.

Kendrick sat up and pain shot through his shoulder. He bit down on his tongue trying to stifle a scream. Front and back his shoulder and right arm were covered in shallow cuts, and a few deeper ones that tore at the muscle. What the wounds told him, a survey of the room confirmed. The chair was destroyed, the door was open, and there was a lot of blood. He felt sick seeing it all, but then he found a small comfort. Pain killers and a glass of water. Alfred had made it through the night and was looking after him. Kendrick gulped down the pills and using the wall to brace himself, got to his feet.

As he made his way up the stairs the beast's full carnage came into view. The manor was wrecked. Men he'd never seen before were dead with their blood splashed against the walls. “Alfred,” he called out into the empty house, “Alfred, I'm awake.” Kendrick was still naked and was wandering the house like a flood survivor. A more familiar body stopped him though. Alfred's eyes stared lifelessly up at him before he knelt and closed them for the old man. Once dressed, Kendrick spent the morning dragging the bodies of the dead back behind the house. He tried to dig them a grave, but the pain in his shoulder was too much still, and so he covered them with blankets and left them there.

Once back in the house, Kendrick picked at some overcooked pasta he'd found and tried to decide how to act next. The burnt remnants of a fire outside the manor would have been more than enough warning to make sure they staff would not return. They didn't understand the danger, but they had all known it was there. Alfred was dead, but than who had made the dressings that had hung off of him or left the pills for him? Could it have been Claire, but if it was where was she now? Where had those men taken her? In some ways it had been lucky the Wolf had broken free when he had, he'd killed so many of the men that had been chasing Claire. How he'd gotten loose had never been a question to Kendrick, he'd always known it would happen one day.

The young man let his head fall into his hands. He sat in the ruins of his luxury prison and once night came there would be nothing to keep the Wolf bound. There was only one safe way. He rose intending to carry out his final act, but instead something out the window changed his mind. Deep tracks in the muddy road from the jeeps that had brought the men. There was one last thing he needed to do, the Wolf would have a last night of freedom.

The keys had been in the ash tray of one of the abandoned jeeps. It seemed one last vehicle had left and it must have carried Claire. Kendrick drove wildly down the muddy road, struggling to stay in control. It had been years since he'd driven and though he was afraid of wrapping the jeep around a tree he didn't dare go any slower. If they were too far and he changed before reaching them Claire would be lost to the mysterious thugs that had stormed his home. Still deep in the forest he followed the tracks down a forgotten logging road and when he felt he was close he pulled off to the side. He couldn't see the sun through the trees, but Kendrick could tell from the dimming light that the sun was setting. With a pen from the glove compartment and a fast food receipt he scribbled a note and held tight as the change came over him.

“These are the men that invaded are home. Take revenge. Save Claire and I won't fight you anymore.”

The pained howls echoed through the darkening forest. As they continued though they became a dark laughter that echoed against the trees.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Claire’s eyes fluttered open. She lay staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, some sadist drummer keeping a killer beat in her head that felt as if it would explode. She carefully turned her head to the side, grimacing as the headache intensified.

She was lying on a bed, a fold up chair standing next to her that looked as if someone had been sitting in it. She tried to move and found to her dismay that her wrists and ankles were securely tied to the bed. Returning her head to its original position, a soft whimper of pain escaped her lips as the migraine throbbed at her temples.

There were no windows, Claire had no idea what time it was. The only light in the room was coming from an uncovered light that was swinging from the ceiling, a fan circulating the air somewhere … she could hear it.

The jarred images from the night before were slowly falling into a synchronised timeline in her mind, up to the point where she was looking for a pillow for Kendrick. All she could remember was someone behind her … and nothing more.

A key turned in the lock … the door opened … footsteps.

“Aaah, you’re awake,” a deep baritone voice said conversationally.

Claire watched as a face came into view. Even at this angle she could tell he was tall, his dark hair cut short, his eyes roaming across her familiarly that made Claire extremely uncomfortable. He had the look of a man you do not mess with and if she could, she would have squirmed away from him and run as far as she possibly could.

“Do you see this?” He said as he dangled a circular metal object in front of her. He pressed a button and razor sharp knives came jutting out of the object from the inside. They slowly retracted before he unclipped the side an opened it.

Claire’s eyes widened as he climbed on top of her, straddling her before ramming a hand into her hair and lifting her head off the pillow, a strangled cry leaving her lips. “This is your new friend,” he said as he positioned it around Claire’s neck. She squirmed wildly, hissing and trying to bite at him but to no avail.

With a ‘click’ the collar clipped into place and Claire paled … keeping absolutely still.

He let go of her head, as she helplessly watched him turn his wrist in front of her eyes. It had a metal band strapped around it that resembled the collar around her neck. Three sets of lights: Green, yellow … red. “You are quite safe,” he said informatively as he rose from her and slowly walked around the bed, as if he was circling a prey. “If however, you dwindle more than 200 yards from my wrist, the ingenious collar around your neck will activate … killing you instantly,” he said with a light of menace flickering in his eyes. For a moment Claire had the obscene feeling that he would actually like to see that happen.

“Now Claire, can I trust you to stay within that parameter?” He asked, as if she was a child.

Claire nodded, her eyes riveted on him in fear.

“Oh, and princess, don’t try and take it off,” he said in that same maddening informative voice, before he slid his fingers across his throat, indicating what would happen if she tried.

“So you will behave?” he asked in a tone of authority.

“Yes,” Claire croaked, feeling as if she was suffocating with the thing around her neck.

“Good girl.”

He unceremoniously untied her and effortlessly lifted Claire from the bed before pushing her up against the wall. She clenched her teeth together, feeling as if her head would explode. Pressing his body up against her, he lowered his head and placed his cheek next to hers, inhaling the scent of her. “I will be moving you tomorrow morning to your new home … then we can get a little better acquainted,” he said as he let his hand trail along the side of her body.

Acting on pure instinct, Claire lifted her hand and swung it through the air, landing a stinging slap across his cheek. What can only be described as an evil smile, spread across his features as his dark eyes glinted, dangerously. “Oh I like that,” he whispered in her ear, before he threw her across the room, Claire landing in a crumpled bundle on the other side of the bed.

He stood staring at her for a moment, an almost primal, animalistic quality glinting in his eyes, before he turned on his heel and walked out of the room. “Later,” he promised her, before the door slammed shut.

What was it with men wanting to lock her up in rooms? The thought screamed through her mind. If it was any other situation, she would have laughed at the irony of it, but there was nothing funny about this. Claire pushed herself up from the floor and scooted up to the wall, leaning against it as she tentatively ran her fingertips across the collar…

What was she going to do?

The question was more … what would he do to her? And if need be … could she get 200 yards away from him?

 

[Erlind]

For all of the men he'd already killed it was surprising to still see any at this old logging camp. The note had been all he'd needed. He would have never caught up to them on foot and his frame was not built for a car, but he'd wanted revenge on these guys. Invading his territory had made him mad, but now they'd stolen something he'd claimed as his own. He believed the brat when he said he'd give in, he was too much of a goody two shoes to lie to him.

The forest was where he felt most at home. They'd seen him coming in the house, but this time the three guards there were would not even understand what was happening to them as they died. Screams echoed out and even as the men went on their guards it did them no good. Down from the trees the beast came tearing out their throat or spilling their guts across the forest floor, and then he would be gone again. Out of the small building came the man from before. The one he hadn't finished off because of the old bastard, Alfred. The mild fear did nothing to mask the smug satisfaction still clear on him, he had her.

“I know what you are!” he yelled out, “come out and face me if you're not afraid!” Goaded, the wolf stalked out into the open and crossed the clearing to meet the man. He was holding a rifle and it was clearly not the dart gun from before.

“Do you really know what I am?” the wolf asked the man as he drew closer. “Do you have any idea what I am? If you did you would not have called me out little man. You would have slunk away again and hoped we never met again.” Now only a few feet apart Kendrick had to give the thug credit, he was brave if foolish.

“I represent something far more sinister than whatever you are mongrel. If you think for a second I will ...” Kendrick leapt at the man, tired of his bravado, and only gave him one shot before bringing him to the ground. It tore through his chest, but it was a clean shot and would be much easier to heal from than the wretched buckshot Claire had pulled from him. The rifle was thrown to the side and the wolf began to tear into the man. His fevered screams stopped, but the wolf didn't finish until his corpse was so mangled it barely held together as one piece.

The fight if brief had been enough for Kendrick to get his blood flowing and he wasn't ready to stop. Dragging the shredded body behind him he sprinted to the building where he found Claire's scent. Tearing into the wooden door with his claws he ripped it from the hinges and threw it aside. The mangled body was thrown against the wall opposite the door to announce him and the bloody beast stalked inside to stand over a quivering Claire.

“Don't you worry Claire, the human brat sent me to save you. Don't you feel safe?” He burst into maniacal inhuman laughter. It was so good to be free again.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Michael’s dark eyes were watching the security screens intently, intrigued by the beast’s progress. He had not fully believed Angelo when he relayed the story of an overgrown wolf that could speak but as Angelo’s bloodied remains fell to the floor next to Claire, he raised an eyebrow, a plan taking shape in his mind.

“Place the compound on lockdown,” Michael ordered as steel doors came crashing down, blocking every possible exit and every window. He watched the response from the wolf, the fear radiating from Claire almost a palpable thing in the air.

“Notify the hunters of the new hunt … and double the price,” Michael said as a satisfied little smirk tugged at his lips. He had been looking for a challenge and this mongrel was aptly complying. He chose an electrical stun gun that was used to incapacitate elephants and rhino and then stalked down to the room that held his two captives.

A door slid open and before wolf could even react, the gun made contact sending a deadly electrical current to course through his body, dropping him instantly.

Claire watched in horror, her eyes were wide and riveted on Michael’s face as he inspected the unconscious creature at his feet. “You have just given me the best hunt of my life, Claire,” he said appraisingly, sending a chill down Claire’s spine.

Claire watched as an entire group of men came marching in, turning wolf around and fitting him with the same collar that Claire had clamped around her neck. She watched them change the settings and her heart drummed out a deafening beat in her ears just contemplating what this twisted man had in store for them.

“What are you doing?” Claire ventured.

“Don’t fret dear, you will find out in due course,” Michael said, barely acknowledging her presence.

The team vacated the room a few minutes later and Claire sat huddled in a corner as she watched Michael take a seat in the fold up chair … waiting. The fact that he was quite blatantly ignoring the threat wolf posed did not bode well.

Wolf finally stirred and Claire’s eyes darted from his snarling face to Michael’s, who was not phased in the least. “Welcome back,” he said in the informative calm voice, his eyes dark steel orbs carrying a silent warning.

Wolf looked as if he was about to pounce and Michael simply said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” pointing at Claire. “If anything happens to me, you both die,” he said in a bored drawl, indicating the collar around Wolf’s neck and then drawing his attention to the one around Claire’s neck.

“If you are more than 20 feet apart, Claire dies,” he continued.

Claire shook her head in disbelief. Wolf was more likely to kill her and rip the collar from around her neck to save his own ass, than to actually try and save her. “Please don’t do this,” she pleaded.

“If you interrupt me one more time, I will leave you alone in this room with that thing for a week,” Michael threatened, something telling her that he’d actually enjoy watching that.

He returned his attention to Wolf, “And if Claire dies … you die,” he added, dealing the final blow before he stood and paced the room, paying no attention to their protests.

“This is how the game will work,” Michael said, standing and looking Wolf straight in the eye. Claire cringed, she had heard this before…

“At exactly 10pm, the doors will open and you will be released. A hunting party will be short on your trail, of course, armed with heavy artillery for your benefit,” he said indicating Wolf. “If you can both make it outside the forest by daybreak, you both live,” he announced as if it was an easy feat.

“All the rules mentioned before apply, you can’t be more than 20 feet apart and if my pulse rate drops to zero, you both die,” Michael said waving the band around his wrist before Wolf, to make his point crystal clear.

“If the party kills you,” he said, his eyes glinting in Wolf’s direction, “you will become an unusual rug on someone’s floor and Claire will be mine.” She wanted to slap him … claw his eyes out. Either way, she was screwed and he took great pleasure in watching her squirm. “If you don’t make it outside the forest, I will activate a tranquiliser imbedded in the collar that will make both of you my prisoners for the rest of your natural life,” Michael declared triumphantly.

“And how do we know you will not simply activate the collars once we are outside the forest?” Claire asked venomously.

“You don’t,” Michael retorted in a serpentine voice, before he disappeared through the door. Claire was trembling as her eyes finally found Wolf’s, fear clearly etched in their blue depths.

 

[Erlind]

When Kendrick woke he was in the same position as Claire. Captive with the strange collar around his neck. He snarled and his muscles tightened ready to spring, but the man quickly told him what would happen if he did. The wolf believed him. He could see the man was a hunter, just like him. Under different circumstances he probably would have liked the man, but as it stood the captor stood between the wolf and hard fought freedom. He listened to all of the instructions. For now he had to follow them, there was no chance to kill him here, but Kendrick had learned to wait.

The wolf pulled Claire close and whispered to her. “You'll hold tight on my back, because I don't want you slowing me down. I'm not letting this ignorant man take either of us. I've earned my freedom, I plan on getting a real taste of it. As for you, you're the one I want to taste it with.” He had no reason to deceive her now, they had no choice, but to trust each other anyway. Grabbing her with one massive hand he practically threw her onto his back. “Better hold tight,” he warned her one last time as their prison doors opened.

He burst outside expecting instant gunfire, but instead there was only quiet. They really wanted a hunt. Kendrick bound through the forest on two feet, wanting his hands free as weapons. The hunters had hidden themselves well, but he could still smell them, and hear them sometimes. Attacking them for now would only get one of them, and thus the other killed, so instead he stayed moving through the trees. The jeep would be found already, so instead he just started running back towards the towering building that had served as his prison, it was the only place he knew halfway well. Sticking to cover he managed to avoid the shots that were taken at them, but it was clear their hunters were closing in.

After too shots that had been far too close Kendrick ducked between two trees. He only saw the trip wire in time to leap forward, but not avoid it. An explosion licked his heals and sent him flying, hitting the ground. He groaned and laid on the ground for a moment. He could feel Claire start to crawl off of him, but he spoke up. “Don't you dare let go, we're dead without each other.” When he felt her hands dig into his hair again Kendrick got back up, this time on all fours. His right leg was too damaged to run on anymore and he needed to balance of being on all fours.

The hunters had tried to close in, but they broke free. He raced through the darkness of the forest for what seemed like hours, but Kendrick couldn't really be sure of how much time had passed. They'd seem to have lost the hunters and this had been enough to tire even him, so he stopped. He let Claire down and half fell to the ground with a large oak to his back. He couldn't smell anyone and it had been awhile since he'd heard anything they were safe for the moment.

They sat quietly for a moment both catching their breath, but the beast wanted to know more about his hunters. “Claire, you found out Kendrick's secrets. I think its time you share yours. Who are these men? More importantly though, why hunt you little girl? What am I missing about you that makes them want you so badly?” As he spoke the wolf began to inspect his wounded leg. A lot of the flesh was showing, but there was little bleeding, it had been cauterized by the blast. A jagged piece of metal stuck out of his leg, but now was not the time to nurse it, removing it would only cause problems.

 

[DarkEmpress]

“Better hold tight,” she heard Wolf say, and Claire dug her fingers into his fur, holding on for dear life.

He went bounding across the forest floor at an incredible pace. Branches and tall grass whipped past them as Wolf tried to put as much space between them and the hunters. Strangled little cries escaped her lips every time a bullet came flying past, but it was as if Wolf knew where they were ... he anticipated their moves and tried to avoid them. She never would have made it this far without him.

Two shots rang out and Claire cringed, they had been waaaay too close. Wolf took evasive action and ducked between two trees. She saw the tripwire a second before he did, but there was no time to stop as they went hurtling through it, a deafening blast ringing out that would paint a bulls eye on both of them. It sent them flying through the air, landing hard on the other side.

It knocked Claire’s wind out as she lost her grip on him, desperately trying to take a breath that would not come. “Don't you dare let go, we're dead without each other,” she heard him say, and as she willed her hands to tighten, her chest expanded and Claire gasped.

They were off again, and from the way he limped she knew he was hurt. Wolf dropped down to all fours and this time he was moving even faster, green shrubbery flying past them.

It grew quieter, the shots died down and eventually Wolf stopped in a thicket of trees, concealed by some ferns to let her down before he collapsed, completely exhausted. Claire was trying to catch her breath as she instinctively smoothed her fingers through the fur on his back, trying to soothe him. His leg was badly injured and she cringed at the piece of metal that jutted out of his flesh.

“Claire, you found out Kendrick's secrets. I think it’s time you share yours. Who are these men? More importantly though, why hunt you little girl? What am I missing about you that make them want you so badly?”

Claire stared at him blankly. “I wish I knew,” she said. “I was kidnapped from my home and when I awoke I was in that compound,” Claire explained. “I have no idea where I am and I could not ask you ... it would have looked really strange. From what I can gather, they operate on the black market in human trafficking,” she added, “and from what I understand the hunters that were after me originally were only supposed to dart me, the winning hunter receiving me as a slave,” Claire said, shaking her head in disbelief. “Does that practice even still exist?” She asked in a horrified voice.

“Somehow I managed to get away from them, don’t ask me how ... and then I led them straight to you,” Claire said, raising her eyes to his, a swirl of emotion playing in their blue depths. “I’m so sorry Wolf,” she said softly. “I never meant to cause you any harm.”

 

[Erlind]

“Maybe the brat can answer your questions. All I have are bits and pieces of his inane life to go off of, that and years in a cell. You surprise me with your pity. Haven't I made it perfectly clear I will do the same they would or worse if given the chance. Don't treat me like your pet little girl. When this is over they will all be dead and you will have the same dread for me that you have for them.” The wolf was about to continue, but the soft sound of a twig breaking on the forest floor stopped him. He started to stand, but his leg gave him a sudden painful reminder that he couldn't. Instead, he moved into a crouch, ready to spring.

There were three of them. He knew that now that he was listening for them. He'd been relying on scent to give him a warning, but they had masked theirs. Finally one of them had gotten too close and the Wolf sprang into action. Bursting through the foliage his claws sank into the nameless hunter and threw him to the ground knocking him out instantly. He'd been holding an automatic, but now he laid bleeding on the ground, lifeless next to Claire.

His bad leg slowed the beast's reactions and though he was now launching himself at his next target two loud shots announced the third man and tore into his good leg. Kendrick made it to the man that had been partially hidden by the ferns and pulled him down. His teeth were sinking into the second man's neck when the ominous click of a reloading gun drew his attention. Kendrick withdrew his teeth and coiled his body to strike, but they both knew he was too injured to reach the smirking man.

It was Michael, the man who'd explained his silly rules to them. The man who'd started this hunt was standing over Kendrick about ready to finish it. “Even with the girl to slow you down I expected much more from you, beast. Pity this can't go on longer, but I'd hate to let someone else have such an exotic trophy. Time to die.”

 

[DarkEmpress]

A single shot rang out.

Startled birds went fluttering about.

An anguished cry came from Michael as he fell to the floor, clutching his arm through which the bullet just ripped.

Claire stood with trembling hands, aiming the automatic at Michael, tears streaming down her face. She was acting on pure adrenalin. She had to get away, from both of them ... get out of this godforsaken forest and figure out where she was so that she could make her way home, where it was safe...

“Give me the wristband!” Claire screamed at Michael.

“Now why would I do that?” He snarled at her as he rolled away from Wolf, covering his bases.

Claire gritted her teeth as she squeezed the trigger again, another gunshot ringing out and ripping through Michael’s leg. An anguished cry came from the man as he rolled in absolute agony on the ground.

“Because if you don’t, I will turn you into Swiss cheese,” Claire said ominously, meaning every word she said. “Don’t even think of moving,” Claire said, aiming the firearm at Wolf, her eyes spitting blue fire at him. She slowly aimed the gun back at Michael and moved a little to the side so she had both of them in her sights. “Give it to me!” She screamed at Michael.

Michael recognised the look in Claire’s eyes. It was a look of desperation. She was on edge and frightened. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and he believed that Claire would make good on her promise. He also knew she would not kill either of them; Claire was simply not capable of it.

Michael lifted his good arm in the air, trying to soothe her. “Okay Claire,” he said as he unclasped the wristband and held it out to her.

She was no fool though. “Throw it to me,” she instructed, not taking a step closer.

Michael grunted and then begrudgingly complied. He immediately dropped his arm back down, his fingers tightening around the dagger strapped to his thigh. He had to eliminate Wolf from the equation, he posed the biggest threat at this stage ... he would have all the time in the world to find Claire later.

She hunched and quickly picked up the wristband, taking a few steps back. Claire made sure she stayed within the 20 yard range before she worked through the touch screen, deactivating her collar. She felt like crying with relief when the collar clicked open around her throat. Claire tore it from her neck and threw it to the ground, strapping the wristband to her wrist.

“The same rules apply,” she warned Wolf, pointing at the collar around his neck. “I will leave you two to get better acquainted,” Claire said as she turned and started running. She didn’t care what happened back there, all that mattered was that she put as much space between them as she possibly could. She could not run half as fast as Wolf did, but she found solace in the knowledge that both men were injured, which would slow them both down.

Her victory was short lived though.

Claire was close to the mansion, moving through the same ravine she had come down two days ago. The leaves and foliage lay thick on the ground ... there was no way she possibly could have seen it. An ominous click rang out as Claire took a step down the embankment, a split second before a bear trap snapped shut around her left ankle. Claire fell to the ground, a pained scream echoing into the night air.

Try as she might, she did not have enough strength to open the trap. It was securely bolted to a tree. It left her stranded, injured and at the mercy of everything around her. Sidling to a tree, Claire sat with her back against it. The metal teeth were biting viciously into her flesh, minimising bleeding but hurting like hell. She tried to manage the pain, breathing through it as she checked the firearm.

Claire had one round left.

Just one...

 

[Erlind]

He'd hoped Claire was strong enough to finish Michael off for him, but this he had not expected of her. She was smarter than he'd given her credit for. Once she was out of the clearing he turned on his former captor. They were both injured, the wolf seriously so, but it meant so much less to him than it did to Michael.

“Here we are. Had you been smarter you would have simply asked me to work for you. It would have been so much better for both of us.” Michael stared at the gun laying at his feet, trying to decide if he was fast enough or if it would even help. Before the had the chance though the wolf was on him and a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the woods.

Kendrick began to move after Claire. The mansion was close, he could almost smell the place. Once there, Claire might take a car and he'd lose her forever, but he wanted this one. She had freed him and spent too much time on his mind for him to let her go now. He'd lost a fair amount of blood, but had none of the tranquilizers from before to deal with and so he continued on through the forest and was soon greeted with a pleasant sight.

“You're without me for a few minutes and here you are,” the beast chuckled drawing closer to her. She still had her weapon though and so Kendrick left some room between them. “We're not as different as you'd like to think Claire. You may not have killed any of them yourself, but you're the one that let me loose knowing what I'd do. If I take a liking to you wouldn't I protect you like I protected my home? You had so many chances to let me die and you didn't. You want this Claire. Drop the gun, let my collar go. You know I'm the only one who can help you now anyway.” A wide grin showed off his sharp teeth. She was trapped on the only place she could go was with him.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Claire could hear something approach and her eyes widened as Wolf came into view. The self-satisfied smirk on his face spoke volumes and it made her heart sink to her feet as she listened to his words. This was absolutely the last thing she needed right now. There was however, no denying that she needed him.

Violet eyes dropped to her hands, staring at the gun glinting in it. Claire knew she couldn’t kill him but she could kill herself in a final act of defiance. She pondered the thought as she turned the gun over in her hands.

She could however not bring herself to do it. It was simply not in her make-up, besides, she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. No matter how bad things got, suicide was never a solution. Granted these were extreme circumstances ... well about as extreme as you can imagine ... it still wasn’t the best solution.

Her eyes darted up, giving Wolf a look that could kill. “Fine,” she said like an impetuous child as she slid the band off her wrist and threw it at him as hard as she could, aiming for his head. The movement made her wince as the metal teeth cut into her leg, a painful reminder of the predicament she was in. Claire would be eternally grateful for his help at the moment, but that did not change anything between them. As soon as she had a gap, Claire would run as far as she could.

 

[Erlind]

The wolf couldn’t help, but laugh as she gave into the inevitable. He snatched the control off the ground and released himself from the device binding his neck. Tossing it aside he laughed again.

“I’m surprised you’re not more grateful. Yes you’re trapped with me now, but I did just save you. I’ve end nearly everyone, but me whose after you. And you can feel safe knowing I don’t like to share.” The beast circled her, his eyes darting up and down her body. Take her here or wait until she was secured?

He risked losing her to the brat’s kindness if he didn’t lock her up in time, but … the feral spirit had spent too much time waiting. His body coiled and he launched himself at her. Knocking Claire to the ground he smiled his toothy grin.

“Don’t you want to repay your savior,” he mocked her, “if the brat had saved you I’m sure you would have open your legs. Are you afraid I’ll hurt you or afraid you’ll like the monster better than the man?” His claws dug into her claw, broke through the cloth, and scraped the skin underneath.

He was injured, but the adrenaline rush of the kills he’d made tonight muted the pain. He had missed being free and Claire was the perfect way to celebrate that freedom.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Claire hated that look in his eyes. Wolf was happy as a pig in mud - at her expense - and it grated her. He was free from the collar, free from his tormentors and free from Kendrick’s ‘cage’, but she was his prisoner, his personal toy ... at his mercy. She had ultimately exchanged one captor for another and for the first time Claire wondered which was worse.

She watched as he circled around her, lascivious eyes raking up and down her body. She wanted to make herself small against the tree, try and hide, but what would that help? Instead she stared him down, not breaking eye contact, as if she could unnerve him ... somehow.

She watched the wheels turning in his eyes and then his gaze settled into something ominous. Claire braced herself as he sprang into action and launched himself at her. She fell to the ground, Wolf perched atop her, which elicited a startled cry from her in fright.

“Don’t you want to repay your savior,” he mocked her.

“Not particularly," Claire said scathingly, her eyes shooting blue sparks at him.

“If the brat had saved you I’m sure you would have opened your legs. Are you afraid I’ll hurt you or afraid you’ll like the monster better than the man?”

He dug his claws into Claire, dragging them down her body to shred her clothes into tattered strips, grazing her skin in the process. Claire squirmed wildly, the damned bear trap all but acting as a painful restraint.

Fear and adrenaline coursed through her veins and she was absolutely startled to find a spark of excitement there. For god’s sake Claire, now is not the time to ponder the thrill of having sex with a frikking monster, she chastised herself as she dug her nails into him, trying to inflict as much pain as she could.

“Get off me,” she breathed acidly. “I would never spread my legs willingly for you,” she said venomously, wondering if Wolf was actually jealous of Kendrick, “...but for Kendrick, I will,” she added, simply to test her theory.

 

[Erlind]

The beast stopped just short of tearing Claire’s top off leaving it barely covering her breasts. He stared down at her with golden eyes. It made no sense. The brat was nothing compared to him. She had seen it with her own eyes.

“I’ll make sure he remembers that,” he told her coldly. Then the wolf tore apart what remained of her clothes leaving them in tatters around her. The trap on her leg was the only thing that adorned her. The wolf looked over her bare body with lust. She was such a nice treat to end his night with.

Her fingers digging into his hide did nothing to dissuade him. The wolf forced Claire’s legs open. “Make sure to tell him how much you enjoyed this,” he snarled at her.

His cock was hard, it had been so long since he’d mated with anyone, or the brat had for that matter. Pushing his throbbing length against her entrance she seemed much smaller to him than she did before. He smiled that same wicked smile as she fought against him, before the beast thrust into Claire’s pussy. Each time he buried himself deeper in her tight body he let out a animal groan or howl.

 

[DarkEmpress]

He tore the remainder of her clothes apart, before his dark eyes poured over her body like an avalanche of lust. Claire squirmed wildly, the trap painfully cutting into her leg, but with adrenaline running through her system, she didn’t feel it. “Let me go,” she kept on repeating, slamming her fists into him as hard as she could, but it was like hitting a brick wall…

He spread her legs apart and Claire could feel him poised at her entrance, before he thrust himself into her body. His howl split the night sky, intertwined with a pained cry from Claire. Her body stiffened, as her silken depths battled to accommodate the sheer size of him.

Animalistic, took on a whole new meaning.

The raw power of his thrusts, stole her breath away and Claire found herself holding on to him to steady herself, tears glistening in her eyes. She had no other choice but to let him sate his lust. It was carnal and primal and somewhere in the recesses of her mind she registered that it was just that … an act … and she desperately needed to escape the reality of the situation she found herself in.

Her senses were numb with too much fear, her body worn and tired … pain spiking through her system that only numbed everything further. If she overthinks this, she would drive herself insane … so she just stared up at the wolfen creature … blindly … not making a sound.

 

[Erlind]

It had been far too long since he’d taken something so young and sweet. It had been so long since Kendrick had taken control. Years locked away in his cell while the brat wardened his own prison. His howls pierced the sky as he forced himself on the battered figure beneath him. She didn’t respond to his taunts instead she seemed to break. So hurt, but so blank it was like she was a broken toy. His breathing became heavier and heavier. It was so tempting to tear into the succulent flesh beneath him, but for now she was his only toy. His claws slammed into the ground on either side of her and the beast let out a long lingering howl into the night. Pleasure that had been long forgotten coursed through his body as his hot seed filled her. His lust sated for the moment he slid out of Claire, but something about his conquest seemed incomplete.

“I am a creature of violence and anger, but also lust. Nothing that brat could give you could ever satisfy you.” Her words about him still gnawed at him. Carefully, he forced the trap around her leg open and then broke it. Picking her up he insisted, “he is nothing compared to me.” Dawn was fast approaching as the hulking figure carried Claire back the ruined mansion.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Despite all her efforts, Claire’s body reacted to him. All the signs were there, exhilaration spreading through her veins and as he climaxed ... so did she. Her body almost needed the release to break the tension of the last few days and as he pulled out of her, Claire felt herself wilt against the moist grass.

"I am a creature of violence and anger, but also lust. Nothing that brat could give you could ever satisfy you."

Wolf had made this quite clear from the start, and Claire did not doubt him for a minute ... but then again, his violence could just as easily kill her. He was a dangerous mix of raw power and carnal instincts that made him impulsive and extremely dangerous. She remained quiet because she found herself at a crossroad. She had provoked him and yet she could not deny that he had saved her life more than once in the last two days. It was almost like a warped version of ‘beauty and the beast’, which made her smile wryly at the idea for a second.

He released her from the trap and Claire cried out, pain coursing through her like a hot fire. But as he gathered her in his arms, she couldn’t help the overwhelming feeling that she was safe in his arms, regardless of everything that had transpired. She turned into him and buried her face in his chest, her fair, naked flesh in stark contrast to his hide, raven hair spiralling down his arm. He was warm and her only link to survival at the moment.

"He is nothing compared to me," she heard him say, as he started walking, his deep baritone voice reverberating from his chest.
“No, you’re not,” she whispered against him, and she herself wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult.

If you had asked Claire what she believed of the supernatural two days ago, she would have laughed at you ... but today ... it was different. The motion of him walking lulled her senses and soon she drifted off into darkness, her body drawing the line in the sand.

 

[Erlind]

“He is nothing compared to me.”

“No, you’re not.”

The beast wasn’t sure how to react to her strange comment and before he decided on anything she was drifting off to sleep in his arms and it didn’t matter anymore. He looked down at her as he made his way through the battle scarred mansion. Her body had given into lust, but somehow he still wanted more. He wanted her to admit her desire for him… especially over that brat. The first step was to keep her from escaping before he had the chance to use her more.

The wolf descended down the stairs to what had been his prison for far too long. He laid her inside the cell and then sought out two things, the medical supplies and the key. The first was a lot easier to find than the second. Kendrick kept plenty of gauze and other supplies around just in case he ever escaped. The however took too long to find. It had been lost in the chaos of the attack and he finally found it in the corner of the cell, dropped at some point. Next, he bandaged his own wounds and then Claire’s. They weren’t nearly as neat as hers had been and more than once she winced in her sleep as he tightened them too much, but exhaustion won out and she didn’t wake. When he was done he locked her up. No escape for her.

On his way up to the second floor master bedroom the wolf tossed the key up into the chandelier where Kendrick couldn’t get to it if he somehow remembered. Then, settling down in Kendrick’s bed the wolf drifted off to sleep just as dawn arrived. He loved going to sleep in the bed the brat had kept to himself for so many years. The frame creaked and the mattress sunk, but he didn’t care. Asleep at the arrival of dawn, it was the first time in years painful cries didn’t mark the morning at Bastille Manor.