Feline Hunted

[RainingHeat]

As the horse moved, Gleam allowed her body to relax. His arms about her were not of concern to her. He knew exactly what she ment regarding her little request. And agree'd, which took a huge weight off of Gleam's mind.

But, why did he think he was not honorable? That confused her slightly.

"Paladins are honorable. I'm a ranger, and an ex one at that. I don't fight for honor. I fight for survival. For me, and for those that are worth protecting. If breaking a promise would save the life of a loved one, I'd do it in a heartbeat."

His words proved himself honorable. Breaking a promise to save one's life, that is entirely honorable. That was how Gleam saw it. Fighting for survival, to protect another, that was honorable. He could have easily survived and given her up, right? But then again, that particular band of hunters, they more than likely would have still attacked and killed him. So, yes, he did fight for survival. Gleam was not about to argue honor with her Captor. She saw him that way, at least for the moment, even if he did not.

It was the scent, of his blood, and the infection already starting, that ceased the thoughts running thru her mind.

"your wound, at your hip, it is heated, becoming infected" she stated pretty matter of factly.

She canting her head slightly, she listened, hearing the slightest murmur of running water. Even better, a waterfall.

"There is fresh water, about 2 miles, to the east. A waterfall, I believe there is a bluff there, the water from the upper lake spilling into the smaller below" again her voice was very matter of fact.

She felt him nod. For a few minutes they rode in silence, until she heard him speaking again, close to her ear, almost whispering.

"We're going to skirt the edges of Ellington. I don't feel the need to give the Duke a shot at us with his more armored soldiers....you know.....ones that actually know how to fight?"

"He's a butcher. Conveniently the pets I deliver to him have fatal accidents. Or so he says. Accidents. I've heard differently from his maidservants. The screams....the sexual torture....."

For a second his hands tightened on the reins....as did the arms around Gleam that were holding them. Then the evening air stirred softly with a rather hollow sounding chuckle.

"So I started freeing them. Deliver them to him to fulfill the contract.....pop the locks on their cages when he wasn't looking. He's still looking for the thief responsible."

She had felt him tense, every muscle tighten. She had heard the same, from both ferals and stories she overheard humans discussing. Given that her den were far enough away from Ellington, she had not given the Duke all that much thought. Until now...

"perhaps you should have stopped hunting us" but she knew that would have not solved the issue. There were so many other hunters, that just one having an attack of compassion would not have help save very many ferals, that was for sure.

"sorry, I did not mean to say that" Gleam did not blame him for what the Duke did, that would be unfair. He had been setting them free, trying to do what he thought was right... again.... honorable.

The waterfall could soon be heard, and it was Gleam that guided the horse slightly to the east with a press of her legs. She knew he was weakening, the wound was getting worse.

"Just over the glen, the waterfall, there will be fresh water, that wound, it needs to be cleansed, quickly.. do you have alcohol?" She certainly did not want to get drunk, obviously it was for disinfecting the would. "I would not be surprised if the blade that opened you were poisoned, hence the infection setting in so quickly" as the horse came to a halt, Gleam slid off, her feet lightly touching the ground.

She doubted he would allow her to tend him, and she was not even sure she would. He was still mobile, still on his feet. If he died from his wound, that would not be her fault. And she would be free, after all. But the festering scent worried her. It was infecting fast, much too fast.

 

[dryfter]

At least they were getting into some prettier country. The fields of the village they'd left behind them had slowly been swallowed up by woodland once more, though their road remained. A scar in the land, much like the one that marred his arm.

"Perhaps you should have stopped hunting us."

If she only knew just how many times he'd considered it.

"Sorry, I did not mean to say that."

That brought a soft snort from behind her....almost enough to ruffle the fur on her neck. Right now, he was the one thankful for the leather vest he'd loaned her for the ride home. It masked her own scent.....a scent that no doubt could be alluring all on its own, he was certain.

"Yes you did."

He didn't need to be told how infection threatened the wound. Yet he ruled out poison just as quickly as she mentioned it.

"More likely that they were too cheap to use good weapons. Or that they hadn't properly cleaned them. Poison is expensive. And those kids were looking to get rich quick. Spending a bundle, at least in their minds, isn't the right way to go about that."

Still, he was glad to hear there was a source of water nearby. He was in full agreement that the cut would have to be thoroughly cleaned.

"No alcohol. Normally don't touch the stuff. Elves ruined that for me. They make a damn sight better wine than anything even the King has in his cellars. I'd know....have a small bottle at home. Don't ask how I got it. Even then, I'd not be wasting a gift like that on a cut like this one."

Still, it burned plenty, and he frowned. Over the next glen, huh? He murmured softly, knowing she could hear him just fine. And frankly, talking passed the time much better than riding in simple silence.

"You can judge me if you want. But since I was let go by the King, I needed money. Selling your kind was very profitable, though it presented some moral quandries. Still....you'll see soon enough."

He wasn't sure how she'd take his statement, or if it even mattered. Forgiveness certainly wasn't what he was looking for. Certainly not with her still wearing his collar and in his partial captivity.

When they arrived, it was doubly painful to dismount than it had ever been getting up there. The hard ground was unforgiving to his bruised feet, and that was the least of his problems. He offered no commands, no orders, just sauntered slowly towards the water she had promised would be there.

If he didn't hurt so much, the scene might have taken his breath away. It had been a long time since he'd passed through here, and Lucian didn't know these woods half as well as he knew his own. A crystalline lake fed by a majestic waterfall.....proof that the mountains were slowly coming upon them. Still....this was no time to be lax in guard. He only hoped Gleam would be alright with the horse.....he'd taken the crossbow with him.

She should be alright. She was agile and fierce. He'd seen that much. She'd be a handful once he made it back to his cabin, that was for sure. Still....he had every intention of dominating and mating her, forcing her to submit to him as his own. Such things had a time and place however, and it was not now.

Cool water beneath his feet made him hiss slightly.....he'd been daydreaming. Now his feet truly protested their treatment before relaxing just a little beneath the soothing waters. Gingerly, the ranger reached for the belt buckle holding his leathers to him......

He never knew when Gleam might come along. He hadn't forbidden her to follow him, though he was at least fairly certain she wouldn't run. And so he only dropped the harsh material enough to reveal the jagged edges of the wound. A soft, pained snort was all he emitted as the joint exploded in a brilliant flash of pain.

"Just had to do one last job well, eh Carl?"

It was deep, and it would scar. But it had missed anything vital thankfully.....though it would make for a painful healing. A little twist of the wrist and more arm behind it, and Lucian could have easily been trying to hold in his intestines.

Instead, he waded forward and sank low into the water.......moaning softly in gratitude as the chill liquid served to sooth the burning somewhat. It wasn't a solution, but right now he was just buying time.

He looked back at the small kit he'd retrieved from his saddlebag. Much more important than his crossbow at the moment. The field dressings in there would prove once again to be invaluable.

Long minutes passed before he stirred again, and when he did, it was to begin circling around the lake. He'd seen some cattails on the far west bank. If he could get some.....

He returned to their makeshift camp, a long hour later.....various cut plants balled in a fist, the crossbow for now, unused.

A little fire, and he could make a warm healing poultice. He had the water for it, and now he had the herbs. Finding an aloe vera plant had been a stroke of good luck. The others were much more common in these parts.

Hopefully by tomorrow, he'd be a little better suited for travel.

 

[RainingHeat]

Gleam did not follow him. She left him to take care of himself. She was not his mother, and not his lover. She would not tend him. Well, that is not quite right. If he had been incapacitated, yes, she would have. One thing Gleam had was compassion.

She heard him enter the water. Humans and water, they just did not mix well. She had yet to see or hear a human who did not make a boatload of noise every time they got near water. The waterfall at the far end of the small lake masked the sound some, but the fact that she knew he was there, made it easier to hear him enter the water and the low groan when he lowered himself within.

She, on the other hand, tied the horse loosely, and took a quick lay of the land. It was quiet here, and the fact that she could hear some birds calling a bit farther in the distance told her they were more than likely alone.

She was exhausted, to be honest, and downright hungry, so that was what occupied her time while he soaked. Gleam gathered some wood for a fire. She did not start it, she would let him if he so desired, but at least the wood was there. She found some wild strawberries, which she quickly picked, and ate her share. She left a pile near the wood for him to find. If he intended to sleep here, than it would be better to move a bit more into the underbrush, but she would discuss that with him later.

She heard him splashing, and the thought of bathing suddenly filled her head.

She so needed to bathe.

Leaving the vest at the campsite, Gleam circled to the opposite side of the lake. She took a running dive off the large rock perched near the waterfall and slid quietly into the water. GODS it felt good.

Surfacing beneath the waterfall, Gleam stood, letting the water flow over her naked form. It felt so soothing, so refreshing, so relaxing, that she forgot the collar about her throat, forgot her Captor, forgot the events that had lead up to this point, and just purred in contentment, the sound rumbling low in her throat. The water poured along the curve of her breasts, dancing lightly at the tip of her peaked nipples, the water was cool after all. Her own fingers stroked along the soft fur that covered her, cupping under her breasts for a moment, before slipping further down to dip between her legs. The softness of her sex, the lips heated, bringing forth a low moan that mingled with her purring.

She could see the campsite from where she stood, noticing that he had just returned, she was sure he could see her as well. Arching her back, she let the water cascade thru her firey red mane and down her back. At least he would know that she had not taken off. She was not about to leave the waterfall just yet, that water just felt tooo good.

 

[dryfter]

He returned to the campsite to find her gone. For a second, his heart jumped slightly, but only for a second. It had only taken him that long to find her tracks.....

And through a little curious trailing.....they led straight for the lake, albeit the other side he had been on. Gleam no doubt wanted to distance herself from him as she decided to bathe.

He heard nothing, with the waterfall drawing closer. And not for the first time, he felt glad that the throbbing in his hip had subsided for now. Still....it wouldn't be good to push things.

Yet just as he turned to backtrack back to camp, the foliage parted for him, and he came in full view of both the waterfall and Gleam. Though he might be noisy enough in water, the forest was home every bit as much as it was here. He doubted he'd be spotted, nor did he want to be considering the view.

His tigress was enjoying her bath immensely it appeared.....her fingers caressing her womanly parts enough to put on an inadvertant show that was enough to dry his mouth. For a moment his lust got the better of him.....the thought of taking her right now, pressing her down into the slippery rocks beneath the falls and staking his claim on her sprang unbidden to his mind, especially as he watched thin fingertips dip low between her thighs.

He could almost imagine her moan from the look on her face.....sultry, seductive, and tailor made to be the object of desire. He swore then that one day, she'd look at him like that....like just being around him was enough to send her into raging heat.

As much as he'd like to stay and watch, Lucian again felt like he was pushing his luck. Sure the roar of the falls would cover any sound he might make if he were careless. More importantly, the mist kicked up from the pouring water would most definitely mask his scent from her. Yet it was the raging hard on in his pants he was most worried about. He'd have to get that under control again before she made it back to camp herself.

Still.....he wouldn't forget that vision for a very, very long time. If indeed ever.

When she finally did return, she found him slowly baking a nasty smelling concoction over a very small and well contained fire.

The ranger used a trail knife to spread the greenish, brownish glop onto a field bandage.....then winced as he slowly lowered his leggings enough to place the goo directly onto the wound before pulling his pants back up and over his hip. If all he was doing was riding......his belt would be enough to keep it in place. With any luck, riding was all that the next day would bring them.

"Thank you for rounding up some wood. Very thoughtful of you, Gleam."

It took every ounce of control out of him to drive the evening's vision back into the deep recesses of his mind. The last thing he needed right now was a breach of trust while her options for freedom loomed so predominantly.

The hunter settled in right there. No bedroll, no pillow save for the saddle. With any luck, the poultice would do the trick, and they'd be save to move on with the morrow.......

 

[RainingHeat]

She had thought she had seen him over at the encampment, but he was gone again. She did pause, listening, but heard nothing but the waterfall, and her own heated scent was masking any other.

She had entered her heat cycle.

Great, just what she needed.

Thank the Gods, she thought to herself, that humans did not have the same sense of smell as ferals and animals. If they did, if he did, than more than likely she would be fighting him off her at every turn. But he did give his word.

She lingered longer than normal beneath the waterfall before finally emerging. Standing in the sun for a moment, she shook, sending a cascade of water droplets racing thru the air. Reaching up, she slowly squeezed the water from her long crimson mane, giving her head a shake to send the damp tendrils waving about before settling against her still damp form.

Getting back to camp was easy, that god-awful stench lead the way right to it.

Her nose wrinkled. She had never smelled anything quite like that before, except a dead and rancid skunk. Whatever that was, it was just nasty. She didn't ask tho, it was his concoction and as long as he did not expect her to eat it, she didn't care. Stealing one if his strawberries, she lightly passed it over her lips for a moment, letting the sweetness soak in, and letting the scent caress her nose, driving away the stench for a moment. Biting into it sent pink juices gently running down her chin.

"I don't think I want to know what that nasty stuff is" she stated with a shake of her head.

"And your welcome" was her answer to his thanks.

Gleam kinda liked having someone to talk to. Truth be told, she had lead a very lonely life, and missed companionship. That was one of the reasons she sooo enjoyed watching the kids. It helped with her loneliness.

She watched while he applied the gunk to his wound.

"oh good, now your gonna smell like that. Only good thing is, any ferals will get wind of you and hightail it out of our way, but I'll have to suffer that stink!!"

At the mention of ferals, Gleam paused, looking out into the wood. She could go, right now. He was injured, she would be gone before he even got to his feet. Why was she staying with him? He held no chain, only the collar that claimed her throat. Even she didn't quite understand why. Maybe she was tired of running? Maybe she was lonely? Or maybe she was just too exhausted at the moment to think all that clearly.

"3 days" she said to herself.

She knew, if she ran now, he would hunt her down again. If she won her freedom in 3 days, he would not. That was why.

He had laid back. And was already close to sleep. Her instincts wanted her to move deeper into the brush, but she was not about to wake him up. She, herself, moved to some bushes, slid beneath, and curled up, laying the leather vest over her naked form. The horse would warn them if any approached, even tho it slept, it slept lightly. With that thought, Gleam let sleep take her, falling quickly into a deep slumber.

 

[dryfter]

It was a sad and apologetic chuckle that greeted her comment of how he was going to smell in the next few days.

"Heh, least I'm not eating it. But you're right.....its pungent."

The camp was silent then, as they both curled up in their respective places to sleep. Yes, it was still a little early, but he was one who liked to rise before the sun did and tomorrow would be no exception.

Lucian had no way of knowing just yet that Gleam was in heat, or perhaps he'd be a little more concerned about how she might behave around him in the next couple days, being forced to keep company with a male.

For now, all he could think of was plotting a course around Ellington. A course that started here.......

--------------------------------------------------------

A gentle touch on her bare shoulder to shake her awake, proof of just how silently he could move if he had to, boots or no boots.

"Gleam....let's get going."

At least he felt better. The sharp pain of taking the saddle had dulled to a harsh throb instead. And there was no longer jolts of pain to go with the horses movements. Still, the hunter did somewhat feel bad for making the feral lass in front of him put up with the smell.

"We'll travel the road for a couple hours. There will be a side trail that branches to our left, so keep a close eye out. Any further than that trail and we risk being seen by merchants heading to and from the city. Not to mention that the Duke likes to send patrol units out. Keeps the trade routes free of bandits."

If only Gleam could have seen the grin behind her at the mention of bandits. He would be counting heavily on that crew to get them through the day.

Hours later, and the trail had very nearly snuck up on them......barely noticeable as it was from the main road. The ranger however, jerked the reins and the mare's head followed.....making a path for the almost indistinguishable trail.

"Ah, this is it. Now the fun should start soon."

It didn't take long for the woods to grow dense enough to blot out the sun. As an afterthought, Lucian leaned forward to unhook the crossbow from its holster on the saddle.

After what seemed like hours of plodding through underbrush, the horse seemingly knowing the way......the melodic sound of the woodland songbirds were interrupted by a distinctly male voice.

"Really now, Lucian? Do you think you need that?"

He was getting good. The ranger actually had only detected him seconds before he had spoke. And it was impossible to know how long Gleam had known he was there.....at least until the green cloaked man stepped out into view on the oaken limb he had perched on.

"Already been attacked once, Sparrow. Not gonna take any chances of running into anything nastier than Carl, smarter too."

Quite agile, the woodsman slipped lightly from his branch, almost inhumanly lightly as his simple brown leather shoes touched ground again. As he approached, he ran an appraising eye over the ranger and his new conquest.

"Oooo....she's a pretty one, Lucian. This must be the ghost of the southern forest you've been talking about for years now. I can see why you invested so much time in hunting her."

There was no prejudice in his eyes, just a twinkle of merriment as he regarded Gleam. Who was he to judge after all.....being a half-breed himself.

"Sparrow's the name, milady. Originally given to me for my ability to take flight at the slightest sign of danger. And not being accepted by humans or elves, I've seen my share of that."

The half-elf bowed simply, never losing his grin, and making a rather brazen attempt at staring at Gleam's chest.....as if his gaze could pierce the leather that covered her.

"Doesn't make for the best of warriors I know, but I make for a helluva scout if I do say so. Should I tell Fynn you're coming, Lucian?"

The hunter nodded softly.

"Please do, Sparrow. And tell him that it seems the Duke wants this one more than usual."

The lad nodded, again giving a precursory glance, but this time of Lucian.

"I'll also mention that Carl's not to be allowed through here anymore. And...that it seems our friend is going to need a new pair of boots? That looks painful."

Lucian laughed.....which in turn made his hip hurt suddenly, so the laughter turned swiftly into a wince.

"You can tell Fynn that Carl is dead. And I'd love a new pair of boots, thank you."

And just like that, he was gone.....scrambling back up the tree he had come from, and leaping from branch to solid branch until neither could see him any longer.

"Not a bad bunch of guys. Especially when plied the right way. They hate the Duke, which right now, is exactly the kind of ally we need."

For long minutes, the rode on, deeper into the forest.

"I had to send the hybrids I freed somewhere. Most were out of their element, yet others did demand their freedom and got it sure enough. But some of the females were already broken by the Duke. They were no longer feral, and needed Masters now to survive. You'll see some of them up ahead. I assure you.....Fynn and his men care for them far better than the Duke ever did."

 

[RainingHeat]

She startled at the touch to her shoulder. She had been much more exhausted than she thought. She should have heard him, felt him, approach, yet she had not. That was dangerous. It was not that she feared him, well, actually, despite the truce they had come to, Gleam still harbored a deep seated fear of the Hunter, but if another had approached, things could turn bad, very very quickly.

But, the sleep had done her good. That, along with the bathing, and the fruit, a swig of fresh water, and she felt much more herself again. It was evident in the color of her cheeks and the slight glow to the skin beneath the soft fur. Some of that glow, and warmth, was from her heat cycle. Gods, what a bad time for that to make an appearance.

"Gleam....let's get going."

She seated herself on the horse before him, feeling his arms encircle her once more. She shifted slightly, because the movement of the horse was now..... stimulating a certain intimate part of her. This was not something she had dealt with before. Riding horses was not something she did naturally. She let out a small sigh as she tried to put the motions out of her head.

"We'll travel the road for a couple hours. There will be a side trail that branches to our left, so keep a close eye out. Any further than that trail and we risk being seen by merchants heading to and from the city. Not to mention that the Duke likes to send patrol units out. Keeps the trade routes free of bandits."

That made sense to her, and she nodded, her long red mane tickling along his arms for a bit before once more caressing her back. The leather vest was warm, and she felt several beads of sweat begin racing down the plane of her spine. Leather was not a chosen garment for her, too heavy and restrictive for her. She liked deerskin or just plain cotton. But this was better than being naked, that was for sure.

The heat was bringing forth quite an assortment of smells from him as well. His musky male scent, all the more detectable to her given her being in heat, and the pungent stink of that gunk. Quite the combination.

She allowed herself to settle into the gait of the horse, relaxing, listening to the sound of the animal breathing and the soft breeze that gently swirled around them.

Gleam caught the scent of someone, someone that was not human, moments before Lucian reached and loosened the crossbow. It took her a minute to realize it was an Elf Half-Breed. It had been a very long time since she had come across one of those. He was, above them?? In the trees, he was in the trees. One thing Gleam had to give credit to her Captor for, he had sensed the Elven Half Breed only a few moments after she had scented him. He was good.

"Really now, Lucian? Do you think you need that?"

And, he knew Lucian. Even more interesting.

"Already been attacked once, Sparrow. Not gonna take any chances of running into anything nastier than Carl, smarter too."

Gleam watched the Half-Breed alight from the branch he had been perched in and approach. She already knew he was no threat to her, the look in his eyes told her that.

"Oooo....she's a pretty one, Lucian. This must be the ghost of the southern forest you've been talking about for years now. I can see why you invested so much time in hunting her."

"Sparrow's the name, milady. Originally given to me for my ability to take flight at the slightest sign of danger. And not being accepted by humans or elves, I've seen my share of that."
The half-elf bowed simply, never losing his grin, and making a rather brazen attempt at staring at Gleam's chest.....as if his gaze could pierce the leather that covered her.

She bowed her head slightly, feeling the leather at her throat tighten just a little.

"Sparrow, I am pleased to make your aquaintence. I am called Gleam, a name given to me by my mother, for the gleam of strength and mischief she often saw in my eyes." that was just a subtle jab to let the Half-Breed, and Lucian, know that even tho she wore Lucian's collar, her name was her own, and she had not willingly submitted. It did not matter if humans understood that, but to Gleam, who saw the Half-Breed as another of her own kind to a degree, it was very important that he know that. Very important.

"and if you want to gaze at my chest, you could ask instead of stare" She offered a smile and a wink to Sparrow, she was teasing him.

Gleam quieted and listened to the exchange between her Captor and the Half-Breed, before he quickly and quite easily disappeared into the forest, the horse once more trotting along. Again she squirmed slightly before settling against Lucian.

"Not a bad bunch of guys. Especially when plied the right way. They hate the Duke, which right now, is exactly the kind of ally we need."

For long minutes, they rode on, deeper into the forest.

"I had to send the hybrids I freed somewhere. Most were out of their element, yet others did demand their freedom and got it sure enough. But some of the females were already broken by the Duke. They were no longer feral, and needed Masters now to survive. You'll see some of them up ahead. I assure you.....Fynn and his men care for them far better than the Duke ever did."

She was grateful for the warning. Seeing a feral slave was always upsetting to Gleam, and any other still free, wild feral. Altho technically she was not free.

But then a different problem popped into her mind. One she just now thought of, at the mention of more ferals.

"Wait, Lucian" she stammered. Hell, she would have to tell him she were in heat. If there were male Feline Ferals, Canine, or even Deer/Stag Ferals up ahead, it could get dicey to say the very least. Heat scent had a funny effect on Ferals, especially Male Ferals.

Shit...

"Fuck.... how do I say this" she turned her head away, lowering it slowly. She was sure he could feel her tensing, Gleam was embarrassed and hated the thought that she had to admit what state she was in to a human, a Male Human....

"I.... I.... If there are any Male Feline or Canine or even Stag Ferals there, I may be in... trouble" she paused, the whole of her form shaking slightly. This was not a good situation, not at all, and her frustration and embarrassment only made it worse in her mind. "I'm in heat.... Lucian"

Gods, she felt so ashamed at that moment.

 

[dryfter]

"Wait, Lucian."

The horse never paused. Nor did he answer, at least not to that name. Not from her. If she wanted something from him, Gleam would have to learn to be obedient.

"Fuck.... how do I say this?"

He could at least hear the worry in her voice. That was a concern, but not one he was about to show. They'd been through a lot already. How bad could it be?

"I.... I.... If there are any Male Feline or Canine or even Stag Ferals there, I may be in... trouble."

He frowned from behind her where he rode. Trouble? How much trouble could she be? There were males ahead, yes.....but they were very few. Most of them had chosen their renewed freedom once more. Only the broken and those who felt they had debts to repay had remained. Lucian struggled to think if there even was a feral male in residence.....

"I'm in heat.... Lucian."

"Master," he gently corrected. Though there was a little edge to his voice. Yes, this could be a problem. Still....he was known here. What Gleam wasn't taking into account is that males might not be the only ones doing the advancing.

"So its a good thing I wore this stinky shit after all, eh?"

She'd been practically pressed up against a male all morning long. The further she went into her cycle the more the mere scent of him was going to affect her......

And now there was the chance that if he did win their fight, his claiming her might have more consequences than just her submission. Her body was ripening more by the day. He only hoped she couldn't feel how hard he was right now thinking of driving his seed into her, whether she wanted it or not. The ultimate submission as now even her body was beginning to betray her.

For now though.....she had to be protected. Amongst humans, this would be an almost certain time to breed her. But humans weren't the only ones that inhabited this camp......and more than humans ever could, hybrids understood their own.

Long minutes passed in silence. He was fully willing to argue with her if his title of Master chafed her, especially since she was asking him to protect her essentially yet again. Not that he needed to be asked. He would kill before he let another male claim her. She just didn't need to know that just yet.

Low huts came into view, made of stretched animal fur and sapling branches. Woodsmen and women alike bustled amongst the thick foliage as they sought to prepare for yet another long day. Many stopped and looked at them, curious but polite as Lucian nudged the mare in a specific direction once more.

A flash of yellow caught his eye and he smiled into a pair of startling green eyes that dipped low and avoided his gaze almost as soon as he had found them.

"Master Lucian......"

A soft smile.

"Come now, Jacinta. I'm not your Master."

The hunter took a moment to admire the sleek form of the jaguar woman. She was shorter than Gleam by at least half a foot, more toned muscle and less womanly curve too. But some men liked women with smaller breasts, and Jacinta's master was no exception.

"I'm glad to see you've gained a little weight. You were pretty bad off when I brought you here."

A silent nod of deference.

"Master feeds me well."

"I'm glad to hear that. Jacinta, I'd like you to meet Gleam. I'd also like to ask a favor of you."

With that, those lovely green eyes shot right back skyward again.

"A favor?"

Lucian doffed his fedora briefly and nodded his blonde curls.

"As I'm sure you're aware, Gleam here is in heat. She'll be needing a special place to stay, as she's not prepared to be mated just yet."

For just a second, the docility was gone as the jaguar girl looked over the tigress. Finally, the shorter woman nodded softly and extended a hand to help her sister feral dismount.

"The males always come after us when we're in heat. They are few, but we are many. Come sister.....come and I will show you the barrow. You may rest there in our care until your Master is ready to leave."

"Not so fast, Jacinta."

The jaguar flinched slightly, suddenly timid once more, almost so much so that she hesitated in turning around to see the rather flamboyant human that strode up to them all, still plucking at his raven goatee with nervous fingers.

"Master is displeased?"

A wide smile spread across the human's face. He wore leathers died the color of his surroundings, and he bowed low before both Gleam and Lucian.

"Not at all, sweetie. I just wanted to see if the tales of her lusty beauty were true. And indeed they are. I'm most likely not the only heart that's going to feel pain when this one leaves with you, Lucian. Truly a worthy prize."

As the man extended his hand, the ranger accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you, Fynn. But we've had a few problems along the way."

A soft frown, but swift in passing, darkened the man's face.

"I heard. You know Sparrow's a swift runner. Carl tried to do you in, huh? Oh...forgive me for a second."

The man named Fynn strode slowly up to the two women. He too know enough of wood lore to know better than to stray too close too fast to an unfamiliar feral. And yet, he was bold enough to try and touch her......leaning forward just enough to caress a soft hand and attempt to bring it to his lips.

"Gleam was it? A pleasure to meet you. The name's Fynn, and I'll be the one watching your backs as you make your gallant escape from Duke Ellington. It's been a while since we've seen some fun around here. The boys and I are looking forward to sending his men on a merry chase!"

His smile never wavered, and didn't seem the slightest filled with lust or desire as he gazed upon her for just a moment.

"You're truly lovely. I can see now why Lucian brought you to me. I'd die a thousand deaths before I let the Duke mar your features, your soul, with his touch."

"Charming as ever, eh Fynn?"

Lucian's voice was dry, yet amused. The dark haired man spun slightly in affront.

"You know I'd never steal from you, Lucian. Don't you compare me to that ingrate you killed on the road."

"Actually. Gleam killed him."

The look on the man's face was priceless as he glanced from Lucian to Gleam. Even Jacinta gasped slightly at the news.

"I rather had my hands full, you see."

That brought the woodsman back around, with a curt nod.

"You didn't mention it. But Sparrow also noted that you'd been injured. Riding in the saddle funny. And quite frankly, Lucian.....you reek. Its amazing that your pet here didn't run from the smell the first chance she got. She must like you."

Spinning nimbly on a heel once more, he found himself addressing the two ladies once more, bowing with that roguish smile that only rarely seemed to leave his face.

"Jacinta, please carry on. Do take care of our guest of honor please, whilst I take care of her Master."

The twinkle in his eye grew steadily more pointed as he sought to capture Gleam's attention one last time before the jaguar woman could whisk her away to the safety of the "barrow."

"You'll be happy to know that I've notified Orson, our local druid, of your Master's injuries. It might slow you down a little, but I recommend you staying here right up until the festivities start. Catch some sleep if you can, rest if you can't. I'd rather guess that plans are for you to leave this place at nightfall or shortly before. Either way, we wouldn't want you getting caught because you're groggy, now would we?"

As he turned once more, the two were forgotten.....Jacinta tugging timidly yet insistantly on the taller woman's hand as if to lead Gleam in a certain direction. Behind them....Fynn's voice could still be heard.....fading slowly as they parted ways.

"Now then Lucian.....a pair of good boots, eh?....."

 

[RainingHeat]

"So its a good thing I wore this stinky shit after all, eh?"

That made her smile, and in fact, she actually chuckled, her body shaking slightly with her laugh.

She would never admit, ever, that, now that she was in heat, it was not just the motion of the horse that was affecting her. The feeling of Lucian's hard body against her, the strength, the dominance, the musky scent of his maleness, that she could scent even over the pungent poltice he wore for his wound. All of this was swirling around her, and she was managing to keep her reactions in check.

The distraction of Sparrow had helped, ALOT. At least for the moment.

She hadn't missed his correction of her calling him Lucian. She was pushing a bit, given that she felt more equal with him now, at least at this moment. She knew it would not remain that way, and his correction confirmed that. It put her back up a little, but she stayed silent.

As they rounded a corner, Gleam's eyes beheld a gathering of small huts and buildings, all built from what the forest provided. She had long before smelled the aroma of cooking meat, fresh vegetables, and other ferals, as well as hybrids, both female and male, and of course humans. Human stench was the first thing she had picked out, the furthest away.

Gleam's eyes fell to the Feline Female before she even spoke. She was lithe, sleek, and had the most gorgeous eyes that Gleam has seen in a long time, a startling shade of emerald green. Altho... there was something different about her that Gleam could not quite put her finger on, not until she spoke.

"Master Lucian......"

A soft smile.

"Come now, Jacinta. I'm not your Master."

When she spoke, Gleam knew what it was. She was broken. It did not make her any less a female, nor did it negate her in any way in Gleam's eyes. But Gleam could feel it, almost seeming to seep from her very pores, she had been viciously broken, even tho, the pretty feline before her now, had a quiet strength, it came from her Master and not all from her. The wildness, was gone.

"I'm glad to see you've gained a little weight. You were pretty bad off when I brought you here."

A silent nod of deference.

"Master feeds me well."

"I'm glad to hear that. Jacinta, I'd like you to meet Gleam. I'd also like to ask a favor of you."

Gleam was listening very intently to the conversation. She could only imagine what kind of condition the feline girl had been in. If the Duke had her, it was more than likely pretty bad shape. As the Feline spoke to Lucian, Gleam observed her movements, and could detect the slightest limp, imperfection in her right leg. It took her only a moment to realize that her hamstring had been severed, more than likely as a form of punishment, to hobble the poor thing in the worst possible way. It had been repaired, but would never be perfect.

What kind of man did that to another living thing, that kind of pain had to be horrific. But Gleam knew, there were many who were so cruel, that they actually enjoyed seeing that kind of pain, hearing that kind of scream, from another.

"A favor?"

Lucian doffed his fedora briefly and nodded his blonde curls.

"As I'm sure you're aware, Gleam here is in heat. She'll be needing a special place to stay, as she's not prepared to be mated just yet."

Gleam's eyes widened. Surely Lucian felt her body stiffen. "don't talk about me like I am not here" she growled, low under her breath. Her heat was her most intimate of business, she was not comfortable at all with it being discussed like she had a sniffle. Gleam was used to being alone and dealing with things on her own. Sure, Jacinta could scent Gleam's heat, just as Gleam could scent that Jacinta was not in heat, but instead, was pregnant. It was early, but Gleam knew, the hormones were all around her.

For just a second, the docility was gone as the jaguar girl looked over the tigress. Finally, the shorter woman nodded softly and extended a hand to help her sister feral dismount.

"The males always come after us when we're in heat. They are few, but we are many. Come sister.....come and I will show you the barrow. You may rest there in our care until your Master is ready to leave."

Gleam almost brushed the girl's hand away, but she did not want to be rude, and the girl was being a sweetheart. She was just not used to being around so many.... anythings, people or ferals. She was used to being alone.

Her own slender fingers found the girl's and entwined, as she swung her leg over the horse and came to rest upon the ground. She was a half a head or more taller than the Feline Feral, and smiled down at her, a tendril of her long red hair falling forward.

"Not so fast, Jacinta."

The jaguar flinched slightly, suddenly timid once more, almost so much so that she hesitated in turning around to see the rather flamboyant human that strode up to them all, still plucking at his raven goatee with nervous fingers.

Where as the Jaguar fliched, Gleam tensed at the voice, actually taking a step back. She did not like all these.... people... so close to her. Even the villagers, when she had been paraded naked thru the center of town, had kept a further distance from her. She felt the fur along her spine stiffen, her eyes quickly taking in the bodies around her and a clear way out if needed. It was obvious she was getting more nervous.

"Master is displeased?"

A wide smile spread across the human's face. He wore leathers died the color of his surroundings, and he bowed low before both Gleam and Lucian.

"Not at all, sweetie. I just wanted to see if the tales of her lusty beauty were true. And indeed they are. I'm most likely not the only heart that's going to feel pain when this one leaves with you, Lucian. Truly a worthy prize."

"I am NOT a prize" the words formed on her lips, but Gleam managed to bite them back. She wondered if Lucian heard her, but cared not a that point. She heard the exchange between the 2 men, apparently the other's name was Fynn, but when Fynn approached closer, Gleam growled, a low sound that rumbled at the back of her throat just as he took her hand in his.

"Gleam was it? A pleasure to meet you. The name's Fynn, and I'll be the one watching your backs as you make your gallant escape from Duke Ellington. It's been a while since we've seen some fun around here. The boys and I are looking forward to sending his men on a merry chase!"

Gleam snatched her hand back, and stepped aside, actually closer to Lucian and the horse. "Do not touch me.... Fynn" her voice held a very tight edge to it, the snarl quite apparent. She was in heat, he was a male, and unknown male, she did NOT want to be touched by him.

She would not apologize, nor would she defer to the man's gaze, holding his with her own flashing golden eyes.

"You're truly lovely. I can see now why Lucian brought you to me. I'd die a thousand deaths before I let the Duke mar your features, your soul, with his touch."

"Charming as ever, eh Fynn?"

At the sound of Lucian's voice, Gleam backed down just a bit, deferring to him, ever so slightly, but she did not let her guard down.

"You know I'd never steal from you, Lucian. Don't you compare me to that ingrate you killed on the road."

"Actually. Gleam killed him."

The look on the man's face was priceless as he glanced from Lucian to Gleam. Even Jacinta gasped slightly at the news.

Gleam just nodded. It did not phase her to kill those men, those hunters. Another feral, only in self defense, a child or an innocent, never. But those men, Gleam had coldly ended their lives and she would do so again if faced with that same situation.

"they deserved to die" was her only explanation, not that she owed any of them an explanation. But the last thing she needed was them being worried that she was an unstable Feral. There were enough of those in the wild, and they had enough to worry about.

"Jacinta, please carry on. Do take care of our guest of honor please, whilst I take care of her Master."

The twinkle in his eye grew steadily more pointed as he sought to capture Gleam's attention one last time before the jaguar woman could whisk her away to the safety of the "barrow."

"You'll be happy to know that I've notified Orson, our local druid, of your Master's injuries. It might slow you down a little, but I recommend you staying here right up until the festivities start. Catch some sleep if you can, rest if you can't. I'd rather guess that plans are for you to leave this place at nightfall or shortly before. Either way, we wouldn't want you getting caught because you're groggy, now would we?"

He had caught Gleam's gaze once more as he spoke to her. There was something about him, something that she just did not quite... trust. She wasn't sure what it was. Maybe he was just too forthcoming, as if he were hiding something in plain site. Maybe it was just the way he was. But at that moment, Gleam decided, she just was not going to trust Fynn, or Jacinta for that matter. Something seemed "off" to her about the 2 of them. Never mind the fact the Jaguar girl was with child. Was it Fynn's? Or the Duke's? Now there was a question. Maybe that was what Gleam was sensing. Maybe not. But something bothered her.

Gleam 's thoughts were distracted by Jacinta's insistant tugging.

"yes yes," she annoyingly quipped, turning away from where Fynn and Lucian were heading.

Gleam took this time to scan the camp as she followed the smaller feline. It was not large, by any means. Too big and it would be noticed and more than likely, raided. There were a smattering of human, half-breeds and ferals. The majority of ferals were female. Most were doe girls. They seemed to be the most prevalent any where you went. Deer bred like rabbits, or so it seemed, and Deer mingles were no different.

As Gleam passed, she caught the attention of all. It was not hard. She was tall, from what all had said, beautiful, buy what caught their attention the most, was that she still had that wildness about her. Gleam was not broken, not by a long shot. Mattered not that her throat was claimed by a collar. She was still wild, and by all accounts, until she submitted, she was still at least partially free. Then there was the small fact that she was in heat...

Gleam was getting more than annoyed at being stared at like she was a zoo freak of some sort.

When one Canine Feral, a submissive male, actually approached her and the Jaguar, Gleam turned, baring her fangs. "Do not" she warned. "I will snap your neck". The Canine growled, and his unsheathed, hard member was quite obvious, but again he was submissive and stepped back. Gleam heard mumurings amoung those that witnessed that, snippets that included "troublemaker" "she does not belong"

Gleam guessed that perhaps Fynn were the dominant here, the leader. And she did understand that most of the ferals had been violently broken and were weakened and submissive, but that would not change how she behaved. She was not them. She never wanted to be them.

"It's ok" Jacinta whispered. "You are different. You are not broken, You are still "free" and they can sense that, feel that, as can I" She smiled.
"they will get over it" with a nod to a guard, another half-bred Elven female this time, that stood at the door of the barrow, Gleam was lead inside. "we need a guard when there is one or more in heat." Jacinta explained. "she is there simply to warn us if a male comes too close"

"and your heat, is strong, very strong" she added almost as an afterthought.

"This is the barrow. We stay here when in heat. The only males allowed is the Master of a particular girl, and even then, they have a seperate space if he decides he wishes to use her during her cycle. The private rooms are over there, and then this is the main room, where we stay until our cycle has passed."

The floor was covered with furs and pillows and blankets for sleeping. There were tables and chairs, some pitchers of water and tea. The barrow was fairly spacious, and clearly the largest structure in the camp.

Gleam stopped in her tracks. Her ears twitched, quickly picking up the sound of a Master, using his in heat feral. It was a doe girl, the scent, the smell was everywhere actually, told her that. The doe was crying out, a sound of pure pleasure, that rang out into the barrow. The few that were in there, actually only a couple, ignored the frantic cries. They were used to this.

"Master... yessss" her keening moans came again. Gleam heard the deep throated grunts of a male, human she guessed, and the sound of bodies coming together. As she concentrated, she could even hear his cock wetly thrusting into the tightness of her sex.

Jacinta had not even realized that a Master were in there with his girl. Her own senses, from being captive, and broken, had waned.

"sorry Gleam, does this bother you?"

Gleam was stock still as she listened, felt, smelled, the mating that was going on. She felt a heat begin to stir within the most intimate of places on her own body, her own sex. Heat mingled with moisture, beginning to flow ever so lightly. She had to fight to keep silent, and not outwardly moan or purr her need. She finally stepped back, turning to the Jaguar girl. "I can not stay here" there was no way she would be able to hear that, listen to that, feel that, and not need her own release. Already she needed her own release.

"I need .... I need privacy Jacinta, I need to be alone, please"

Jacinta, a bit confused, but wanting to please, nodded.

"My Master's place, he will be gone for most of the afternoon with your Master Lucian, and it is quiet there. We can go there"

It was not the most ideal of places, but Gleam had to get out of there. Just as they exited, she heard and almost felt, the doe-girl's climax, followed by that of her Master. No, Gleam could not stay there..

"here" Jacinta lead Gleam into the small, but nicely kept home she shared with Fynn. It was isolated from the rest of the huts, surely because he was the Dominant, the Alpha.

"I will allow you some time to rest" the jaguar girl smiled, turning and leaving. She would curl up outside and keep an eye out. She knew the wild one needed some time.

"thank you Jacinta"

Gleam's blood was racing, her heart was thundering. Stripping off the vest, she laid down on the furs in the corner of the room. She did not hear anyone approaching, the only scents were Fynn's and Jacinta's and both were older, not recent. Jacinta had said he would not be back. Gleam needed to trust her. She had to. Her heat was rising so fast, judgement was impaired, she was not thinking straight, she just desperately needed release.

Once down on the furs, upon her back, Gleam let her heat overtake her. Just hearing that doe-girl, her Master, and having had to deal with feeling Lucian against her for so long, she could not keep it under control.

Arching her back, hips lifting, Gleam let one hand slowly massage a breast, the peaked, swelling nipple brushing against her own palm. It felt so good, she purred out the first of many low moans. Her other hand languidly slid down her form, feeling every curve, the downy softness of her fur, until it dipped between her spread legs. Long fingers began to stroke, as her hips moved to the sensation, up and down, up and down. Her pussy lips, warm, flush, tender, her clit swollen, Gleam's fingers moved, dancing, caressing. She had done this many times, and knew how to bring herself to release, to orgasm. Golden eyes closing, she allowed herself to feel the rising wave of warmth, of sex, washing over her. Her body rocked with her stroking, the wetness of her own inner juices soaking her fingers, her hand, and her pussy. Dripping, the wetness increaing.
"Ohhhhhhh.. MMMmmmmm" she could not silence the moaning that sang from her parted lips. "Ohhhh Goddddd". So lost was she in her intense heat and pleasure, she no longer cared if any heard her, or the scent of her inner sex that hung in the air all around her.

Jacinta, outside, could hear Gleam, and smell her as well. "Her heat cycle is powerful" she said to herself, daring to peek in the window, eyes widening and cheeks flushing red at what she was seeing.

 

[dryfter]

"You don't plan on protecting her all by yourself do you?"

A wan smile curled the lips of the lithe little jaguar as she allowed a newcomer to approach. It was someone she knew well. Someone she was almost thankful to see.

"The males will come for her. She spread her scent throughout the camp. Perhaps I can....help dissuade them?"

Brawny arms thicker than a lumberjack's flexed slightly.....a sight that never ceased to amaze Jacinta. Onyx fur covered her well ridiculously strong frame, muscle rippling and cording for any to see who dared to look. Gleam had been wrong in her thoughts of them all being broken. There was still one who stood strong here.

And the jaguar-woman was ever thankful....that the bear had arrived.

"Dog's don't belong inside a cat anyway," the brunette newcomer growled softly, already settling herself outside the Master's doorstep, her ponderous weight making the floorboards creak a little.

Jacinta hissed softly in concern, and the muscular woman just laughed.

"This probably isn't her first heat. I'm sure she's used to taking care of herself, hun. Just might be the first time she's had to endure one with so many males around. Should probably just call for her Master and get it over with. She'd feel better."

A soft shake of her companions head.

"You can see it in her eyes, Anvil......she still longs to be free. She still is free of a sorts. Yet I don't understand why she doesn't just take her freedom back. Her Master doesn't restrain her in anyway....."

A soft silence.....

"Why don't you take your freedom, Jacinta? You're not bound and chained anymore."

This time the silence stretched out much longer.

"I can never go back to how life once was......and.....and Master Fynn treats me well."

"Perhaps that's why she doesn't leave Lucian then. Do you think he treats her well?"

The smaller woman timidly bit her lower lip in thought.

"By the way.....why isn't she in the barrow? Will Master Fynn be displeased to find her here? You know that this could look like he's trying to mate her. That would anger Lucian greatly. I'd rather not mess with a man who's already tussled with a real bear. Not saying I won't, mind you."

A soft chuckle, sad really.

"Master Antonio was in there rutting Maribelle. She no doubt couldn't take that, being in her own heat. I can't say I blame her.....I've certainly not been real successful at fighting my own heat."

Their voices dropped just a little.....

"Does he know yet?"

"I'm sure he suspects. He seeded me while I was in heat after all. But I've not begun to show enough yet for Master Fynn to know for sure."

A low snarl filled the air. The sounds of the tigress inside had been largely ignored up until now, both hybrids having been there before themselves. But now, the woman known as Anvil rose up from the floorboards of the house to reveal her full imposing height and musculature to the two males that had strayed a little too close to be considered mere curiousity. Jacinta's warning hiss only added to a suddenly pressing need to be elsewhere.

They backed down quickly enough and slunk back towards town. The one canine hybrid that actually had a tail, had it firmly between his legs as he retreated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Not bad, Lucian."

The bald headed human poked and prodded, illiciting another hiss of pain from the half dressed hunter.

"However taught you about poultices wasn't kidding around. You've stopped the bleeding, and deadened the pain. Cleaned out any infection that might have occurred. In short....this is a clean wound, that should be quick to heal."

His brownish robes swirled about him as he slowly paced in circles around the simple stone altar that the blonde ranger had been laid upon. He was in the deepest part of the forest now, far removed from Gleam and her current troubles. A place where the woodland was at its most pristine.

"Can you heal it then, Orson? I must say that I like him better with his pants on."

That brought a wry painful chuckle from Lucian, one that earned him a disapproving look from the druid who tended to him.

"I can. If he stops moving around long enough for the muscle fibers to begin mending. You should know better than to ask me a question like that, Fynn. If I can repair your pet jaguar's ruined leg and make it so she could walk again, so too can I easily repair this."

Soft chanting began.....the only clue he had that the three of them weren't alone. Chanting that Orson the druid led, as well as amplified with his own baritone voice. Gradually, the bald druid's right hand began to glow with a soft amber light......

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Your boots, milord."

"Stop it, Fynn."

Lucian chuckled softly, turning to once more bow in thanks to the retreating druids. He had been healed.....and as part of the agreement, the two of them had to now leave this place. Immediately if not sooner. Still....

"I have no need for your gold, Lucian. Nor do I ask for payment. You are friend to many here, and that's the reason why I helped you."

The hunter nodded softly as he laced the new leather around his restored feet. It seemed that Orson's healing hadn't just revived his sword wound.

"As for you, Fynn. I never thought of you as a family man."

The charlatan and bandit lord smiled back, "You're referring to Jacinta, yes? Well take a good look at me then, Orson. I'm not getting any younger. The ladies don't dally with me like they used to. Even Lucian's pet gave me a decidedly cold shoulder earlier. That hurts. That really hurts."

And yet for all the "pain" he was feeling, the smile never wavered.

"So can you fault me for finding a good woman who makes me happy? It's not like I could find a human woman who'd submit to me like Jacinta does. Yes, I know she's with child, Orson. You needn't worry."

The druid simply nodded......the acolytes that had assisted him in the ceremony having long melted back into the forest. He turned his gaze to Lucian then instead.

"And you're aware that your tigress....Gleam?....is in heat? Even now her body burns. Such is the news Sylphe brings me. Jacinta and Anvil stand guard over her at our lord's humble abode. Few will dare press an advantage against those two."

Lucian frowned. Anvil.....that name seemed so familiar.......

"She's the bear that you saw arm wrestling the men the very first time you rode into our camp."

And for the first time, a small smile threatened to crack the ever serious face of the druid.

"She's still not lost. I hope your pride's healed since then."

Lucian laughed nervously. Now he remembered. He had given it hell too.....but in the end......the bear woman's ridiculous stamina had won out, and he had lost.

"As healed as my hip."

"Why don't you go to her, Lucian. We've already seen that she doesn't trust me. Guess that's to be expected, her still being wild and all. That'll change a little when she takes her first good....."

A sudden elbow from Orson drove the wind from the woodsman's lungs, earning him a nasty look through the fit of coughing that afflicted Fynn.

"Yeah.....go to her.....or get some sleep of your own. Your choice. Either way, I got too much to prepare for to head home right now and deal with your tigress."

 

[RainingHeat]

The one thing about being in heat, and feeling release, is that about all else around you is forgotten, not seen, not heard, and not scented.

Gleam was lost in that world, at least for a moment. For some, attaining release took some time. For Gleam, she had been doing it since her very first cycle, she knew how to bring about climax pretty quickly. It was not always the, well, let's say that even tho she released, the heat had not waned. Even if she took some time, the heat did not wane. Only once a male took her, would she climax fully and completely, and that was an orgasm Gleam had yet to feel, needless to say.

Her body shuddered, shook, quaked as the climax she did illicit raced thru her. An explosion of energy, of emotion, of pleasure cascading over her form in waves. It was pretty wild, this orgasm, can one only imagine her reaction when mated??

That same question formed on Jacinta's lips. "She's not been taken yet, Anvil, scent her now, she is strong, her heat is permeating the entire camp. Can you imagine what is going to happen when Master Lucian takes her?" the question pondered, hung there, obviously there was no real answer.

Anvil grinned, a soft chuckle. "oh I can imagine, given no one has mated me, dear Jacinta"

"Ha, no one would dare" the Jaguar giggled, then paused when Gleam cried out with a near wolven howl.

With a deeply taken breath, Gleam sat up. Gods she hated having to do that. Usually she could control her heat and need for release. But usually she was alone, and did not have to hear, or scent, others mating. Gleam also knew that the climax she reached in no way even began to relieve the fire that had ignited inside her. She could have just as easily gone again. But NO, she would gain control, as best she could.

She wished she could just leave, and for that moment, the thought did cross her mind.

"I don't know how long I can stay here" she said to herself. But being so close to Ellington, gaining her freedom now would be foolish, and more than that, dangerous. If the Duke caught her, collar or no, she would be his, and not Lucian's. Right now, she was safest with the Hunter. And, she have given him her word as well. Once they got to his place, all bets were off.

The only thing that worried Gleam deeply was, she would still be in heat. That did make her more dangerous, and stronger, but it also made her more vunerable as well...

With a shake of her head, to drive out such thought, and a quick shake of her body, Gleam got to her feet. Retrieving the vest from the floor, she ventured back outside, to find Jacinta and a very large, very intimidating female bear feral. Rare, rare indeed.

"ahhh look whose awake" the bear chuckled, extending a paw.

Gleam took a moment to size her up, realized she was friendly, and shook hands. Was this the bear that had attacked Lucian? No, it couldn't be, No. That had been a full sized wild bear.

"I need to bathe, and I need garments, can you help me with that?"

Jacinta and Anvil smiled. "Sure, the stream is just up the path. Jacinta, I will take Gleam there and keep her safe. Find her some appropriate clothes and meet us there.."

Jacinta nodded, scampering off.

"This way..."

Gleam and Anvil actually hit it off quite well. Mostly because Anvil belonged to no one and that appealed to and made Gleam much more comfortable around her. And Anvil could speak quite well and was very, very intelligent. They spoke about their childhoods, mothers and how they dealt with being Ferals. Anvil had been captured and was going to be used for pit fighting until Lucian released her.

"yeah, Carl and his band got me, during a heat. It was not pretty, for either of us" Anvil admitted.

"Carl's dead"

"So I heard, I heard you killed him. Good for you" The Bear smiled. "You did ferals everywhere a favor"

Gleam bathed quickly, the stream was a busy place and the Bear had a hard enough time keeping the males away from there.
Jacinta appeared with clothing. She had brought appropriate garments for a female feral slave. Not what Gleam would have wanted, or chosen for herself, but it was better than the vest. She slipped into the simple, deep maghogany brown peasant dress, wrapping the leather belt about her middle. And new boots, new leather boots. She felt much better, much more covered at least. The dress dipped down a bit in the front, but the soft woven material covered her breasts nicely, and it flowed gracefully down over the curve of her hips and roundness of her ass perfectly, coming to rest at mid thigh.

Gleam tore off a piece of the leather belt and tied back her still damp crimson mane into a long pony tail. She felt so much better, except for the fact that her hair pulled back, while keeping her cooler, also served to show off the leather collar about her throat even more so.

Jacinta and Anvil stepped back, admiring the pure beauty of the Trigress. She was the first and only Female Tiger they had seen.

 

[dryfter]

The scent was unmistakable, and for a moment, it distracted them both from their admiring of the sultry Gleam. A male, and coming ahead fast....and though it could scarcely hide the arousal that the tigress' heat had created in it....it was not the only scent that the soft forest breeze carried.

Anvil growled low in warning, and Jacinta bristled slightly, both stepping before the newly clothed Gleam as their pursuer burst suddenly from the brush. This time however, it was different......as their canine visitor raced not for the tigress, but directly for Anvil herself. Stopping just short of paw's reach and panting hard......

"Militiamen have found the mess left behind this morning. They've closed the road down and are beginning their investigation. It's only a matter of time before they find us."

The male's lust was strong as he glanced at Gleam.....but his fear was stronger.

"You're all being asked to report to camp. We're going to pack up shop and move again. The druids will assist in covering our tracks, and Master Fynn's going to lead a bandit group as a decoy as Master Lucian and Gleam make their escape."

The dog-man winced slightly as he finished....looking up at Anvil hopefully.....

"Please don't maul the messenger?"

"Especially when he's telling the truth!"

The voice came from above. Sparrow giving them all a cheerful wave as his presence was made known. A soft annoyed hiss widening his boyish smile.

"Sparrow....how long have you been there?"

"Oh...long enough to see the pretty tiger lady take her bath and get all clothed again. You sure Lucian's going to like that Jacinta? Some masters don't like their pets to wear clothing. You certainly don't. And you didn't consult him about it first."

"I'll handle Lucian."

The deep growl of the bear spoke much of her mood, the "messenger" fleeing appropriately as she dealt with this new distraction.

"He'll probably be thankful for the clothing."

"Because she's in heat you mean?"

Sparrow stuck out his tongue at the gruff bear woman, and the still air exploded into youthful laughter.

"I spied on old Orson. Did a right good job fixing up our friend too, though he couldn't heal the scar like usual. Still, that'll just fit right in with the rest of them, yes? I'm sure he's looking for you, Gleam. Sorry about the clothing crack, you look stunning, I'm sure he won't mind. I was just having a little fun teasing Jacinta is all. She can be so fun!"

With a growl, the jaguar woman leapt into the trees. And with a sounding squeal and laugh, the spry Sparrow bounded to another firm branch, then another.......

"Dammit. I didn't even scent him. That kid's getting too good for his own safety. Lucian shouldn't have taught him half the shit he did. Now a girl can't even take a bath without the fear of being spied on."

Jacinta growled softly as she slinked slowly back down the tree to land gracefully on the soft earth again. She couldn't agree more with the gruff bear.

-----------------------------------------------------

Lucian paced nervously as he waited. He disliked not knowing what was going on, even if he knew Gleam was in trusted hands. Something unexpected could always happen......

The camp was busy around him, and as an attempt to take his mind of his missing tigress, Lucian began to assist in the taking down of the tents and breaking down of the firmer huts and modified houses that had all been made with swift travel in mind. Oxen with wagons were already being loaded with the materials that were being stripped away. The ranger knew he didn't have to worry about the deep ruts that they would leave in the forest soil. Not with the druids poised to cover their tracks. This whole place would be full of underbrush and rampant growth in just a matter of hours. It would be like none of them had ever been there.

When she finally stepped into view with her two companions, Lucian paused. A part of him wanted to scold them both for giving her clothing after he had expressly told her upon her capture that she was forbidden anything that he himself did not give her.

But then he remembered that a part of her still resisted him. Not that he wouldn't want to crush that part of her and gain her submission.....but she was also in a delicate time right now. A time where she could attract more males than just him. Why provoke more than necessary? She was certainly a seductive creature, he just couldn't decide if she looked more so clothed or not.

Make her submit. Force her to recognize you as Master. Then you'll not have to worry about anyone else ever again. One day soon, Gleam.......one day you'll want to please me rather than be forced to.

And so he stayed silent, instead showing a soft smile as Jacinta and Anvil finally ushered her forth......the big bear showing uncharacteristic worry over something, no doubt the clothing.

"Welcome back.....Gleam. The Duke's men are readying a pursuit team. Shall we be off?"

 

[RainingHeat]

The canine did not scare Gleam at all. She sensed his fear before he had even burst into the clearing.

She listened intently to the exchange, it was not her place to interrupt. This was what they lived with every day. Her den had been well hidden and solid for the better part of her life. The idea of having to move like this, panicked, quickly, well, it scared her.

What annoyed her was that she too had missed that Sparrow was about. He was a wiley one, that one, and slipped under even her senses quite easily. She was not happy about that at all..

"Sparrow....how long have you been there?"

"Oh...long enough to see the pretty tiger lady take her bath and get all clothed again. You sure Lucian's going to like that Jacinta? Some masters don't like their pets to wear clothing. You certainly don't. And you didn't consult him about it first."

"I'll handle Lucian."

"no, I will take care of Lucian. I requested the clothing, not Jacinta." Gleam bristled "and I am not a pet" The clothing was her choice, she excercised it. He was not there to argue the point with and he had said that he would NOT be showing her off as naked to the Duke, the vest was practically naked, this was much better.

And she hated, HATED, being referred to as a pet.

"He'll probably be thankful for the clothing."

"Because she's in heat you mean?"

"ALRIGHT, ENOUGH" she snarled.

She was tired of all this "babying Gleam" bullshit. YES, she was in heat. But her nervousness had turned to anger. If any male approached her now, thinking she would be an easy target, well they would be in for quite a surprise.

"Be lucky I did not demand a weapon!!!" Not that they would have given her one, but it was her way to point out that she was far from a submissive little slave.

It was Gleam that lead the way back to camp. She was tired of the others and wanted out of there. Stepping into the clearing, amidst the bustle of all the humans, half-breeds, and ferals tearing stuff down, she quickly located Lucian with her golden eyes.

He was already staring at her, and for a moment, everyone else there were forgotten. Oh it was not a love filled moment, or a lovers stare. Gleam felt his lust, it was almost as if it slithered across the distance, hissing it's dominance, wrapping around her like a serpent and pulling her to him.

Make her submit. Force her to recognize you as Master. Then you'll not have to worry about anyone else ever again. One day soon, Gleam.......one day you'll want to please me rather than be forced to.

The feeling overwhelmed her for that moment, a glint of pure fear alighting in her eyes. She shook away the feeling as he smiled to Jacinta and Anvil.

Wait, something else was wrong, very wrong.

"Welcome back.....Gleam. The Duke's men are readying a pursuit team. Shall we be off?"

"They're coming!! They're coming now!!!" Gleam's voice, for really the first time since he had captured her, held a note of pure fear within it.

It was not the pursuit team, but a chaser. 2 men. Exceptional riders. Exceptional hunters. Leading the way for the others. And, specifically, to hunt down Lucian and his prize.

A prize that the Duke badly wanted.

 

[dryfter]

"They're coming!! They're coming now!!!"

Was that fear he detected in her voice just now? A soft shudder on the wind, a hissing sound that he knew far too well......

For runners they sure weren't very smart. The broadhead of an arrow piercing the first rider's right eye socket. He went down without a scream.....

The sound of his corpse tumbling to the brush however, alerted his companion to his recklessness......and the second he turned to look back, his death was upon him.

A strand of creeper vine descended from the trees, the unwitting fool snapping his head back to watch where he was going far too late, the action itself entangling him in the vine as unseen hands looped around his neck. The horses scattered, riderless now as the unfortunate human dangled in mid air by his throat.

"Yahoo!"

A slender figure jumped down from the upper foliage then.....as the soldier shot straight up into the mess of branches, the loud cracking noise that could be heard having nothing to do with the tree.

"How'd you like that, Lucian?!"

A wildly grinning Sparrow tossed Gleam a playful wink.

"No reason to be scared of these grunts, miss. We're the ones that know the forest around here. But...should you both be off?"

"Indeed. I'd hate for you to tarry about too long. Would make a mess of this whole scheme you've brewed up, Lucian."

Fynn nocked another arrow to his longbow and gave them both his winningest smile.

"Can you believe the brat wants me to teach him how to use a bow one day?"

"You're just scared I'm going to be a better shot than you!"

Again, Sparrow stuck out his tongue at the gangly Fynn and laughed.

"Go on, get out of here. We'll keep them guessing."

Anvil just shook her head as Jacinta nodded. It was nice to see such changes in the half-elf....annoying as they could be sometimes.

"Alright then....we're off. And Fynn.....don't die."

The latter was mentioned in jest as he helped Gleam back up into the saddle before swinging a leg over himself. Gods it felt good to be able to do that without pain again!

"Aww....and what about the rest of them, Lucian. You're going to make Jacinta cry."

The ex-ranger grinned, ignoring the mock look of hurt on his friend's face.

"I don't worry about Jacinta. She's tougher than you."

A soft snort was his only response as he kicked the mare into motion.

"Hold on tight to her mane, and watch for branches. I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you that, but I'm not taking the chance of either one of us getting knocked off."

He pressed hard against Gleam, pushing her low against the now galloping horse as he did the same. Vaguely he remembered that she was in heat......but for now, it couldn't be helped. At least he was too worried to be aroused at this point. They needed to put some distance between themselves and the militiamen. If all went well.....they'd be clear of Ellington by morning.

For now, they needed to make the most of their daylight hours.

------------------------------------------------------------

His human sight had begun to fail him slightly as night descended. Yet he wasn't worried. He knew he could rely on Gleam's much finer senses to continue forward, that and the mare's familiarity with the path.

"We're out of sight of Ellington.....about a mile west of it now, or at least we should be."

The night was still. The sound of the horse's hooves the only noise he could hear.....

"Fynn's a good man. I've known him for years. Like me, he used to be a ranger for the King. Heh....better shot with a bow too. Never lets me live that down."

Lucian looked up at the night sky, or what he could see of it through the dense tree cover. He hoped his worry for the man didn't show too much. Plenty of people relied on Fynn......he wasn't sure how he'd ever forgive himself if something were to happen to him.

"So what's the plan then? You're going to kill me when we reach my cabin?"

It was a question he'd been thinking of in silence for a while now. There had been no doubt she was angry enough to take his life back when he had first captured her.....had first fondled her breast, and then her thigh when she had refused to tell him of her virginity.

He would force her to submit to him. Her pride. Her freedom. He would bind her as surely as any of the Duke's chains. Yet he would never take her spirit. Already he relished the thought of combat with her......of her curvy body pressing hard against his own as she sought to best him.....perhaps even kill him.

And that got him wondering just how many people depending on him. Lucian, the shadow that freed the tormented. He didn't have to worry about being Lucian the hunter, the one that delivered them all to that dreadful fate to begin with. It was something that was going to haunt him for a long time. Perhaps it would be better if she did try and kill him.

Still.....he rode in silence.....left alone to his thoughts with the exception of the few times his alluring companion spoke.......

 

[RainingHeat]

They were more resilient than she had given them credit for. It was a lesson well learned and one that Gleam would not forget. Never ever underestimate enemies as well as friends. It was that simple...

Gleam cast a glance back to Jacinta as they rode away. She actually patted her own belly, a quick gesture of "good luck with the child" that she knew Jacinta would understand, one feline to the other.

"Hold on tight to her mane, and watch for branches. I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you that, but I'm not taking the chance of either one of us getting knocked off."

Gleam leaned forward, feeling the weight of him over her. She could feel every breath he took, the tensing of his muscles as he held onto her and the horse beneath them, his scent, the warmth that radiated from him. And she could easily feel his manhood.

Her own body quivered slightly as the horse galloped, the rhythm pounding beneath her enough to drive her near to the edge again. The spread of her legs, the feel of him behind her, the motion of the animal they rode. Gleam growled low, trying to keep a handle on the sensations racing thru her. The last thing she needed would be to have to release again. Not here. Not now.

As night fell, she could feel him relaxing further. She knew he had to be tired. To ride this long, with the stress that he appeared to be carrying, it could wear on a man, on anyone. Gleam thought there was much more on his mind than just her. The Duke, of course, Fynn and the encampment, the other ferals.

Was that it? Was he feeling even more responsible for the other ferals now? Now that he had claimed one for himself. Did he now realize the lives he had changed, forever, when he captured and sold them off to the Duke and/or anyone else??

"We're out of sight of Ellington.....about a mile west of it now, or at least we should be."

The night was still. The sound of the horse's hooves the only noise either of them could hear. For the moment, Gleam did not sense anyone else near. She was a bit nervous at the lack of the usual night sounds, the songs of crickets, the chittering of rodents, the haunting cry of the owls. Were they the only ones in the area? Or were there others? And if so, who were those others?

It had to be tiring, wondering who was friend and who was foe. That had to weigh on Lucian too.

"Fynn's a good man. I've known him for years. Like me, he used to be a ranger for the King. Heh....better shot with a bow too. Never lets me live that down."

He trusted Fynn. Gleam was not sure what it was about the man, but she did not, and would not trust him. There was just something about the look in his eye, the odor he emitted.. just something.

"So what's the plan then? You're going to kill me when we reach my cabin?"

"what?"

That caught her completely off guard. She tensed, straighteneing where she sat. Her fingers gripping the horses mane tightened. Why did he suddenly ask that?

She measured her words very carefully.

"I will do what I have to, to gain my freedom, Lucian"

"Surely you can not fault me that. Just look at the poor creatures you captured, the ones even in that encampment. Is it a life when you no longer have the choice to eat, to drink, or to even breath? You, You commanded my breath, not 2 days ago, when you pinned me beneath you with your hand around my throat. My life, at that moment, yours to choose if I live or die. How is that fair? It is my life. My choice, and you, or others like you, take that away from us. Take that away from me. Will I fight for that, yes, I will. I will fight for that, at your cabin and every day after that. "

She paused, taking a very deep breath.

"You do realize that, if you had left me be, free, in the woods that once were my home, you would not be in the very position you are now. "

"if you had surrendered me to Carl, you would not be in this position as well"

"is it..... am I.... worth it?"

 

[dryfter]

The conversation helped a lot. She had her own views, and he had his. How they intertwined was when things got interesting.

"I will do what I have to, to gain my freedom, Lucian"

"Surely you can not fault me that. Just look at the poor creatures you captured, the ones even in that encampment. Is it a life when you no longer have the choice to eat, to drink, or to even breath? You, You commanded my breath, not 2 days ago, when you pinned me beneath you with your hand around my throat. My life, at that moment, yours to choose if I live or die. How is that fair? It is my life. My choice, and you, or others like you, take that away from us. Take that away from me. Will I fight for that, yes, I will. I will fight for that, at your cabin and every day after that. "

"Then you'll have the upper hand for sure."

He felt her stiffen slightly at the words.

"I told you before...***** is life. And I'll be the first to say that I have no intention of taking yours. I didn't then when my hands were about your pretty little neck, and I don't now. Just remember that at the cabin, should my hands find their way around it again."

He smiled softly from behind her as he continued in a low, soft tone.

"Can you really show me which of those ferals were "poor" back there? Which were unhappy? You realize that every single one of them was there by choice right? Yes some were abused, and some spirits were even broken. But every time I ride through that place I'll be damned if I can find a single one of them that isn't happy."

"You do realize that, if you had left me be, free, in the woods that once were my home, you would not be in the very position you are now. "

Now that was an interesting change of topic.

"If you had surrendered me to Carl, you would not be in this position as well."

"You'd have been properly bedded and defanged by now too. What's your point? That a man should just shirk something he sees of value just because the pursuit of that object makes things a little tougher on him?"

"Is it..... am I.... worth it?"

"Absolutely."

Again he felt her react again, though it was hard to judge just what her reactions were......

"You're going to submit to me, Gleam. But I'm going to be the only one you ever submit to. No calling anyone else Master, not even the damned Duke himself. You don't like someone? You make it known. And if they don't like it. They can deal with me."

A soft, dry chuckle from behind her.

"Of course, that's assuming I win. If you win, I'll be dead, and I won't have to worry about any of this anymore. Not sure if you can find your little den again, but I'm sure my.....estate.....if you'd call it that, will be more than enough for you to make a new home out of."

Lucian leaned over just a little bit......teasing her gently for the first time. Not with his touch.....but a soft whisper in her ear.

"I'm looking forward to you laying naked beside me......purring gently as we're pressed as close together as we are right now. I've yet to hear you purr, Gleam......but I will."

 

[RainingHeat]

"You're going to submit to me, Gleam. But I'm going to be the only one you ever submit to. No calling anyone else Master, not even the damned Duke himself. You don't like someone? You make it known. And if they don't like it. They can deal with me."

His words brought a strange, almost cold, feeling to snake it's way thru her. She wasn't sure if it was fear, resignation, anger, confusion, or a combination of all those things. Or was it just his assertion of pure dominance.

One thing that surprised her, and made her heart pound just slightly in her chest, his words were a definite statement of possession. Pure possession.

"Of course, that's assuming I win. If you win, I'll be dead, and I won't have to worry about any of this anymore. Not sure if you can find your little den again, but I'm sure my.....estate.....if you'd call it that, will be more than enough for you to make a new home out of."

Would he be dead if she won? Would she have to kill him? If she won and escaped, would he just hunt her down once again, laying claim to her once again?

And what of the others. Were they happy? She sensed they were, yes. But at what price? It was not an arguement she chose to have with him at this time. They would never agree. He was the Hunter after all, she was the hunted, at least in this particular dynamic.

She felt him leaning into her, and her breath caught.

"I'm looking forward to you laying naked beside me......purring gently as we're pressed as close together as we are right now. I've yet to hear you purr, Gleam......but I will."

Involuntarily, Gleam trembled. The heat within her flaring to life. The sound of his voice, the warmth of his breath, the words themselves and the image they conveyed, all awakening her heat when she thought she had manage to beat it back.

"don't " she whispered. "Don't say that to me" Gods, the last thing she needed was her body betraying everything. She spurred the horse on with that, seeking to break contact with him, at least the closeness.


"why, why would you not content yourself with one of the others, Jacinta, or another, grateful to you for their lives, ready and willing to submit"

She thought she knew the answer, given what she knew about him so far. But she was curious.

"I am sure it is not just because I have never mated.... or is that the reason? What if I lied, what if I lied thinking that if you thought I was used you would just sell me, and I would not have the chance at freedom, what if I lied because you are the lesser of the evils that I could have ended up being sold to. What if I lied because I thought if I were used you'd kill me"

 

[dryfter]

"Don't. Don't say that to me"

Lucian swore he felt her tremble right before the mare lurched forward, picking up its pace and unfortunately separating the two of them with the sudden acceleration. So she could be vulnerable at times....?

"Why?"

The hunter cocked his head, intent on listening despite the crackling brush as it passed.

"Why would you not content yourself with one of the others, Jacinta, or another, grateful to you for their lives, ready and willing to submit?"

He opened his mouth to answer her, but paused as Gleam continued.

"I am sure it is not just because I have never mated.... or is that the reason? What if I lied, what if I lied thinking that if you thought I was used you would just sell me, and I would not have the chance at freedom, what if I lied because you are the lesser of the evils that I could have ended up being sold to. What if I lied because I thought if I were used you'd kill me."

He paused for a second......was that what she thought?

"Would it surprise you if I told you that I already knew you hadn't been with a male before?"

He paused a second, letting his words sink in and giving her time to react.

"You were too fresh, Gleam. You lacked the haunted look others get when they're forced into such an act. And those who experience it and find it pleasurable, find their mates. You didn't have the look, and you didn't have a man trying to rip me into pieces. It was a pretty good indicator."

He settled back into place against her. He could feel her heart pounding even through her back.......

"I never want to see that haunted look on your face, Gleam. You will serve me, and you will serve me because you want to. I will teach you things you have yet to understand, yet to experience for yourself. And you will come to crave them....."

Lucian frowned slightly then.....a moment of silence hanging between them.

"Jacinta was broken by the Duke. She was a pitiful creature when I rescued her. Sores on her ankles where she had been shackled.....hamstrung so she couldn't run.....used every imaginable way, and not just by the Duke. She lost her will and her way. Never even dreamed of escape. In fact, she just laid there in her cell even after I popped the lock on it. She had nowhere to go, no sense of self identity left."

He glanced up as a small sliver of moonlight managed to filter through to light across Gleam's pretty head, the sudden burst of auburn pleasing to him as it was fleeting.

"I carried her out of there. She was unable to run after all. And she kept mewling piteously the whole way. Was sure we were going to get caught. It took her a long time to adjust to the woodsmen after I dropped her off there. Its true that she needed a Master now.....that she didn't know what to do without one. But in the end, it was Jacinta that chose Fynn. Not the other way around."

A soft chuckle, perhaps surprising given the seriousness of their discussion.

"Fynn and I were always at odds over hybrids like yourself. He hated that I trapped them, but he kept quiet because he knew why I was doing it. Still.....we had quite a few quarrels over it. And all the while, he knew I was looking for the ghost of the southern forest. A sexy little slip of a tigress I'd seen years ago.....he knew that no matter how many I freed, none of them were going to catch my eye like the one that already had."

Another long stretch of silence.

"And now look at you....."

The arms about her tightened in almost a hug.

"The men look at you and drool.....and I'm no exception. Yet now you're mine. And as long as that remains the case, I think I can finally be happy."

He left her to wonder what he meant by that as long minutes of silence passed by......

"I'm going to train you, Gleam. The heat you feel right now? I want you to feel that every time you think of me, not just when you're in your cycle. I want you to know how much just the sight of you arouses me, and I want that to make you more confident as a woman. I want you to never let another man touch you the same way I will touch you. And I want you to do your best to avoid things you know will bring me sadness and pain. I will teach you how to serve me......make me happy......and in return, I'm going to do everything I can to make you happy as well."

 

[RainingHeat]

"Would it surprise you if I told you that I already knew you hadn't been with a male before?"

She actually turned her head and looked back at him. How had he known that? There was no way he could have been stalking her for so long and she not know about it. No way in hell.

"You were too fresh, Gleam. You lacked the haunted look others get when they're forced into such an act. And those who experience it and find it pleasurable, find their mates. You didn't have the look, and you didn't have a man trying to rip me into pieces. It was a pretty good indicator."

He settled back into place against her. He could feel her heart pounding even through her back.......

"I never want to see that haunted look on your face, Gleam. You will serve me, and you will serve me because you want to. I will teach you things you have yet to understand, yet to experience for yourself. And you will come to crave them....."

"no" the word was nothing more than a whisper. Why, because she was not sure if what he said may turn out to be true. Gleam knew the situation she was in. Partly now at her own making. She should have run when she had the chance, she should have. But, she was not a coward, and for some reason it was very important to prove that to him, but maybe even moreso, to herself.

Gleam listened as he spoke. She guessed that, for the most part, he was a loner too. He obviously did not live at the encampment with Fynn, and had not spoken of any family. She wondered if this was the most he had spoken in a very long time. It was cetainly the most talking she had heard since her mother, her mother liked to talk.

"And now look at you....."

The arms about her tightened in almost a hug.

"The men look at you and drool.....and I'm no exception. Yet now you're mine. And as long as that remains the case, I think I can finally be happy."

She stayed quiet, listening. Happy. She made him happy. That was a bit confusing to her. Didn't loving another make a person happy? Did he love her? How? Why? Gleam knew what love was, she craved it in her life. But the only love she had ever really felt was her mother's, and that was it. And that was so many years ago, Gleam almost forgot what it felt like. Ferals mated, very few "loved" . Did Jacinta love? Maybe. Did the Masters in that encampment love? Again, maybe. Had Lucian ever loved? That, she did not know.

And, was owning, possessing, the same as love???

"I'm going to train you, Gleam. The heat you feel right now? I want you to feel that every time you think of me, not just when you're in your cycle. I want you to know how much just the sight of you arouses me, and I want that to make you more confident as a woman. I want you to never let another man touch you the same way I will touch you. And I want you to do your best to avoid things you know will bring me sadness and pain. I will teach you how to serve me......make me happy......and in return, I'm going to do everything I can to make you happy as well."

Yet, she gets no choice. Gleam realized that she was not free to love him, she had no choice. What if she had loved another, what then? He trapped her, took her from her home, and ..... and yet, she had not run. Again, she was determined to prove that she was not a coward, not a lowly slave, not something to be owned and possessed for one's pleasure, or one's love.

Wouldn't it be better if Lucian found someone who loved him in return, better for him in the long run???

"You know that Jacinta is with child... Fynn's child. That child will be another mix. What if, what if that were your child, and your child were then collared, possessed, owned? How would that make you feel?"

It was a legitimate question. But it was funny, because at that moment, Gleam made the decision that she would not, absolutely not, bring a child into this world, just to be enslaved by a human.

 

[dryfter]

"You know that Jacinta is with child... Fynn's child. That child will be another mix. What if, what if that were your child, and your child were then collared, possessed, owned? How would that make you feel?"

"You're assuming its only one."

His voice was soft, yet he was sure it had brought about a reaction.

"Remember.....your blood is half human, but its half animal too. There's a real good chance Jacinta's carrying a litter, not just a single child. It wouldn't be unusual."

He hadn't answered her question. He wasn't sure if he wanted to, or if he'd leave it as a surprise for the following day.

"It wouldn't happen."

His voice had dipped in volume and tone.

"Nobody steals from me. And it would be stealing. Tomorrow, you'll learn why."

He couldn't resist....his mouth creeping forward once more with a soft smile.

"Are you thinking about what would happen if I put my children inside you, Gleam?"

He nipped softly at just the outside of her ear before retreating once more to return to seriousness.

"We're making good time. With any luck, we'll be able to see the mountains by morning."

If he hadn't been hard before, he certainly was now. Their conversation had gone far more intimate than what he had planned. Silence reigned as the hunter tried to calm himself back down, something that her scent was not making easy......he could smell her sex clearly now that the damn poultice was gone. And even though he was human.....he was beginning to understand what drove the male hybrids wild when a female in heat was near.

Only a little over a day left to go. He could hold out that long. He had to.

---------------------------------------------------------

Surprisingly the night passed them uneventful. No ambush attacks by ferals wishing to bed, Gleam.....and no sight nor sound of any pursuit whatsoever. The latter didn't seem to surprise Lucian nearly as much as the former did. He had been resting his hand on the saddle's slung crossbow for much of the evening now that his teasing of his tigress' pet was for the most part over.

As they emerged from the forest, the mountain loomed into view......dense woodland covering much of its base as well, a purple majestic peak capped in pure white......

"These plains aren't as long as they seem. We'll be entering my land as soon as we reach the Rivenwood, there."

Lucian pointed towards the across the vast plain that seperated the two wooded areas.

"My land. I bought all of that with the money I've earned over my years. That....Gleam.....is your new home."

The ex-ranger smiled softly from behind her, letting the woman before him take it all in with her gaze.......it was a sight he himself never got tired of looking at.

"According to the courts, that makes me a land owner and a petty noble of sorts. I want you to remember this in case you lose your challenge to me. Never are you to call me Lord. I absolutely detest that title. All who live on my land are forbidden to use it as well. I'm not a lord, I'm a.....caretaker of sorts. And yes, there are others who live there."

The mare started forward once more, bowing its long neck to nibble at the passing sawgrass as they began to close the distance.

"There are enough holes and crannies in that place to make a thousand dens out of should you win your freedom from me."

It was still a day's travel.......but at least they could see their end goal now.

Home......was just a day away.

 

[RainingHeat]

A litter.

Now there was something Gleam had not ever considered. The only children she had ever been around were human children, born to human mothers. One, maybe two at a time. That was the norm for them. And when she had thought of having children of her own, it was always having A child, not a litter.

She felt a bit foolish, to be honest, having never considered that before.

"Nobody steals from me. And it would be stealing. Tomorrow, you'll learn why."

He was cocky, that's for sure. Gleam was sure it would not be easy to steal from a man such as he. He was strong willed, strong in strength, and cunning. Cunning enough to have captured her. And he could and would kill if needed. Hell, so did she for that matter, they were comparable when it came to that small fact.

"Are you thinking about what would happen if I put my children inside you, Gleam?"

What???

WHAT???

That was exactly what she had been thinking. Children. And it was not lost on her that he could easily breed her.

NO... Absolutely NOT!!!

She didn't say so, she almost did, but decided she was not about to debate something that was just not going to happen. It was that simple. She had to be in heat to breed. She would win her freedom tomorrow and that would be it. No mating, no heat, no breeding. Mingled children would only grow up to be mingled adults, like her, always on the run, always afraid of capture, of enslavement, NO... NO NO NO....

"We're making good time. With any luck, we'll be able to see the mountains by morning."

"The mountains" she echoed. She had always loved seeing the mountains way in the distance, when she got high enough back at home.... Way in the distance. Now, she would be able to see them up close and personal.

She could feel him, as he spoke to her, leaning into her, tightening his grasp just a bit, but that was not what troubled her. Well, actually that was part of what bothered her as he spoke, as if he were tightening his possession of her. But, it was the hardness, his arousal, that she felt pressed into her that had her a bit on edge. The movement of the horse, the feel of his breath as he spoke, the nip to her ear, and his body, hard, male, aroused, and the small fact that her heat was again rising, and rising fast. Surely he could feel the warmth in her skin, see the pink flush that colored her just beneath the soft fur. She had no undergarments, and truth be told, where she sat upon the animal carrying them, was the slightest bit wet from her.

Pair that with the confusion she was feeling with his talk. The confusion she was feeling just being near him. He was a Hunter, a Trapper, and her Captor. Yet, she had not run from him when the opportunity presented itself. She should have. SHE SHOULD HAVE. Was she getting weak? Lonely? Would being owned, possessed, be better than being free and alone? She was perfectly happy when she was free and alone, she had no confusion about any of that until he captured her. Until he protected her. The only other person who had ever cared enough to protect her had been her mother. But he had. Did he care about her? Why? How? As a possession? Never mind that Gleam was deathly afraid to mate with him, for so many reasons, all of which were racing thru her mind, almost all the time.

He was human. He was her Captor. Pain, never mind the pain of the first time. What if, what if she liked it, what if she wanted it, needed it from him? What if she became dependent on him because of it. That would make her nothing more than weak, weak and needy. NO, she would NOT be weak and needy, not ever!!! She would not allow him to do that to her. NO NO NO NO NO!!!

When Gleam slept that night, a restless sleep to say the very least, these were the thoughts that raced thru her head. At one point, she had awoken, in the darkness, and almost, ALMOST, considered running. The one reason she did not was because his horse had stirred and Gleam knew the horse would awaken him. But the other reason was again, she was not a coward and would not run in the middle of the night as if she were one. NO, she would win her freedom fair and square. That was that.

When morning finally came, the sun alighting a new day, Gleam was no less confused, but at least this was the last day. Once they arrived, she would do what she had to and be done with it. If she could that was. Another worry was, he had bested a bear, a full grown bear, how could she even think she could best him. How???

"These plains aren't as long as they seem. We'll be entering my land as soon as we reach the Rivenwood, there."

Lucian pointed towards the across the vast plain that seperated the two wooded areas.

"My land. I bought all of that with the money I've earned over my years. That....Gleam.....is your new home."

The ex-ranger smiled softly from behind her, letting the woman before him take it all in with her gaze.......it was a sight he himself never got tired of looking at.

It was truely a beautiful site. The sunlight glinting off the trees, the sparkle of a stream just barely visable. This place was perfect, with fresh water and plenty of land to support people, and ferals surely. There had to be some in this woods, she thought. She wondered what their perception was of Lucian.

"According to the courts, that makes me a land owner and a petty noble of sorts. I want you to remember this in case you lose your challenge to me. Never are you to call me Lord. I absolutely detest that title. All who live on my land are forbidden to use it as well. I'm not a lord, I'm a.....caretaker of sorts. And yes, there are others who live there."

Others? Now that was something that Gleam had not considered. What others? Family? She tensed at the thought. Would he share her? If she lost the challenge that was... But He had already said that no other would touch her. But...... a knot formed in her belly. She was growing tired of people, whether human or feral, after being at the encampment, thinking she were nothing more than Lucian's pet. It was more than evident that was all they thought, even Fynn and Jacinta, given their reaction to Lucian telling them that Gleam had killed Carl. And Jacinta herself, as timid as a mouse, a.... pet.... She being another feline.. Gleam was nothing like Jacinta.....

"I will not call you Lord, if you do not call me pet" she snarled. It was obvious her mood was off. No matter the beauty of the place, Gleam just could not get all these thoughts out of her head.

Why... why had he fixated on her??

"Tell me something" she said suddenly "When did you first see me? You mentioned seeing me once, and that was what started your...... obsession to capture me. When was that? Where?"

Gleam was suddenly very curious. When had her life taken that turn? When had she become his obsession?

 

[dryfter]

At least she was back to talking again. It helped pass the time. So much better than the night before when all he could seem to think about was how to sneak into her private little camp without getting his face eaten. Not that he would. He hadn't come this far just to deny her the fair shot she seemed to crave. But that didn't keep him from the torrid dreams that ensured he stayed iron hard all night long......

"I will not call you Lord, if you do not call me pet."

Gleam spat out the words, but it seemed to Lucian that it was really something else that was bothering her. Perhaps if given time, he could get to the bottom of it. For now, however, he let the comment slide.

"When did you first see me? You mentioned seeing me once, and that was what started your...... obsession to capture me. When was that? Where?"

That was an odd question. And if it weren't for the suddenly demure way she asked it, it probably would have gone unheeded as well. He was getting edgy now that they were nearing his property, but still, they had a ways to go before reaching the woodland. Though they were in the foothills now, it would take most of the morning for the plains they rolled through now to finally relinquish their hold on the local terrain.

"Let me see......"

Lucian silently counted in his head. He had a feeling his companion wouldn't be happy with an estimated answer, though she'd likely get impatient if he took too long trying to figure it out......that seemed to fit her personality lately.

"Ten years ago."

He waited for her to react, wondering if that was anywhere near the answer she was expecting.

"You asked when I first saw you. Ten years ago. I barely survived the bear that shredded my left arm. Got a little too close to her cubs without knowing they were there, I had been hunting a hybrid."

A soft chuckle, wistful in nature.

"She tried to give me a big old hug.....I politely declined by punching her as hard as I could square on the nose. Then I got the living fuck away from those cubs as fast as I could, spraying blood everywhere."

He tipped the brim of his hat low, blocking just a little more of the sun from his eyes as they rode.

"And I mean everywhere. I was amazed she didn't pursue me harder than what she did......even more amazed I'd gotten as far as I did. Ended up by a small brook, I remember running water. There was an elm tree with a soft hollow amongst its roots......I curled in there, and tore my shirt to pieces to start dressing my wound or at least stop the bleeding."

It was all coming back to him now.....for a second he could almost feel the pain in his arm, his memory never truly having forgotten the sensation.

I had water, nice and cool. I used it to bring down the fever that came over me hours later. I'm not sure how much time I spent unconcious, but I remember waking up and knowing I wasn't alone. Sure enough.....there you were......not nearly as mature then as you were now.....filling up some strange container full of water. I was in no condition to be attacked, so I stayed quiet. But even back then, I thought......clever girl. I admired your silence, how you moved without even disturbing the plants around you."

The ranger's voice faded slowly until the hoof beats took over once more.

"That was the first time I saw you. It wasn't until four years ago that I actively started hunting you, actively being whenever my hunts took me to your forest. I'd seen you again of course......and this time I really liked what I saw....."

He wanted to touch her then.....run his hands up her sides and around to cup her firm breasts through the simple shift she'd been given. But he knew it still wasn't time for such things......they would be determined soon enough.

"Nice firm breasts.....curvy hips.....a perfectly flat belly, well toned. You'd kept yourself in good shape. I knew I wasn't going to find another woman that looked like you. It was the look in your eyes, you were so happy just being you every day."

Another soft chuckle.

"You'll be happy here too, you'll see."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

As morning turned to afternoon, the sun beat down on them both. Thankfully, the forest was within reach......the shade it provided more than just a simple pleasure now.

It didn't take long. He could sense a presence even before he saw it. And he knew this wouldn't be a pleasant situation for Gleam to be in either.....

They had been in the woodland no more than an hour in their ascent to higher ground when the underbrush rustled to their left......a hackberry bush parting slightly to make way for a tanned head covered in light brown fur and baleful yellow eyes.

"Jakob."

The feline male tested the air and growled softly as he eyed them both, taking a hesitant step forward.

"Yours?"

"Mine."

The cougar hissed in chagrined annoyance, his arousal in full view of them both as his head tossed from side to side.

"Are you going to fight me, Jakob?"

The yellow eyes snapped back on him again, sudden clarity cutting through his lust filled haze.

"No, Lucian."

The growl in the words left little to the imagination. The male wasn't happy about conceding without a fight.

"We're even."

With that, the great cat bounded back into the rocky woodland as easily as he'd come......

"Whew. I really wasn't looking forward to that. Let's get you home quickly before more "friends" show up, eh?"

A sharp kick, and he mare was making good time again. He hadn't been pushing the poor creature, the last thing Lucian wanted was to walk, plus he had more compassion than that.

He was just getting antsy now that they were close.

"He's one of the males I freed. Told him he was welcome to make a home here if he desired. Suits his breed, mountain lion if I recall. Stays away from the panther on the other side of the mountain though. Been some terrible brawls.....I'm sure you noticed his right ear's been almost chewed off."

In truth, he was tense. They would be there soon, and he really didn't know what to expect.

"Get your claws ready......we've only about two hours to go now until we reach the cabin."

He wasn't sure if she would want to take her chances immediately, or in the morning after they both were fully rested. Either way, he had to be prepared.

 

[RainingHeat]

"When did you first see me? You mentioned seeing me once, and that was what started your...... obsession to capture me. When was that? Where?"

"Let me see......"

"Ten years ago."

That made her pause, even her breath was held.

That long? He had seen her when she was a child, well, an adolescent really. Ferals tended to reach physical majority earlier than human children, thanks to the animal part of their heritage. In fact, they reach sexual majority eariler as well. But the one thing, thank the Gods, that humans recognized was that a feral was not "adult" until the same age as humans. And relations with ferals underage was frowned upon and even punished. Humans saw ferals as animals, but use of said animals was to wait until that animal was an adult.

Gleam really had no conception of exactly how old she was. If one were to ask her, she would state she had seen 24 summers.

There were many who debated on how to age a feral. Again, Gleam had seen 24 summers, she was a summer born child. It was that simple in her mind.

14, she had been 14 summers back then. And on her own. She was in her 12th summer when her mother had died protecting her. And, of course, she never had an inkling who her father was, just that he was a tiger feral.

"but I remember waking up and knowing I wasn't alone. Sure enough.....there you were......not nearly as mature then as you were now.....filling up some strange container full of water. I was in no condition to be attacked, so I stayed quiet. But even back then, I thought......clever girl. I admired your silence, how you moved without even disturbing the plants around you."

Her bota, a gift from her mother. Now left back at the lake.

Gleam remembered dodging a very cranky Mama Bear way back then, and had thought she scented blood, now that she was remembering. But her senses were still developing, so she had missed him altogether.

"That was the first time I saw you. It wasn't until four years ago that I actively started hunting you, actively being whenever my hunts took me to your forest. I'd seen you again of course......and this time I really liked what I saw....."

Gleam just listened. There was nothing to say. She had asked, he had answered. In the grand scheme of things, it did not matter how or when he first saw her, just that he did. But then again, in reality, he had not been the only one hunting the Tigress. Tales of her rarity, and her beauty, had been told for many a summer, and many a Hunter desired to capture her and present her to the Duke at Ellington for the very large reward he had posted. Lucian had just managed to get to her first.

"Nice firm breasts.....curvy hips.....a perfectly flat belly, well toned. You'd kept yourself in good shape. I knew I wasn't going to find another woman that looked like you. It was the look in your eyes, you were so happy just being you every day."

" I was" she echoed, accenting the "was"...

"You'll be happy here too, you'll see."

" So you say..... " she stopped before calling him anything, no Master and no Lucian.

Her breathing had quickened, her thoughts racing. Yet she remained silent.

As the morning turned to afternoon, Gleam remained silent, lost in her thoughts. There was so much to take in, so much to wrap her mind around.

This confusion was suddenly compounded by the scent of a feline male. A very aroused feline male. Gleam's head came up, eyes widening as she scanned for the male. He was close, very close, she could hear his every breath, and even tho he was silent when he moved, Gleam, being one of them, could hear the soft footfalls as he approached.

"Jakob."

The feline male tested the air and growled softly as he eyed them both, taking a hesitant step forward.

"Yours?"

"Mine."

The cougar hissed in chagrined annoyance, his arousal in full view of them both as his head tossed from side to side.

Gleam was growling low in her throat. There were many reasons for that growl, one was the aroused male feline. A Cougar. A half a head shorter than she, tigers were larger, but stocky and strong, muscles coiled and compact. His eyes were more of a yellow than the deep gold that were hers, but had the same feline qualities within. She made note that one ear was terribly mangled, obviously from fighting, most likely over territory or other females. That meant there were more than likely others like him in the area. That small fact did not make her happy, not happy at all. She was growling too because she was getting really tired of being thought of as nothing more than a possession. Hell even the Cougar Feral deferred to Lucian instead of questioning Gleam himself. She knew it was because of that damned collar that claimed her throat, and she was tempted to rip it off.

Gleams fingers dug deep into the mare's mane, not hurting the horse in the least bit, but showing her frustration, her anger, and her being on guard with a male so near. Her breathing had quickened, her heart was racing.

"Are you going to fight me, Jakob?"

The yellow eyes snapped back on him again, sudden clarity cutting through his lust filled haze.

And what would that have achieved, she wondered. She would NOT be mating that Cougar, even if he did win. Whether it was Lucian or Jakob, she was not about to let either think they could just take from her what was rightfully hers to give.

"No, Lucian."

The growl in the words left little to the imagination. The male wasn't happy about conceding without a fight.

"We're even."

And he was gone. Gleam knew he had not gone far, his scent had not receded, but he had backed off and was not blocking the way for the horse.

"Whew. I really wasn't looking forward to that. Let's get you home quickly before more "friends" show up, eh?"

Wait... Friends??? And what did he mean by we're even? The questions were racing in her mind, but had not made it to her lips before Lucian spoke once more, at least explaining a little.

"He's one of the males I freed. Told him he was welcome to make a home here if he desired. Suits his breed, mountain lion if I recall. Stays away from the panther on the other side of the mountain though. Been some terrible brawls.....I'm sure you noticed his right ear's been almost chewed off."

So there were others. Others like her. Feline. Feral. and NOT enslaved to him.

"Get your claws ready......we've only about two hours to go now until we reach the cabin."

Gleam tensed, she was still growling, low, deep.

"NO" the word came tumbling from her lips.

"NO" she would go no further.

She knew He was tired, that was obvious, as was she for that matter. But, he had let his guard down regarding her as they journeyed. Because of this, it was easy to quickly disengage herself from his arms, and slip off the still moving horse. She was on her feet, on the ground, in a matter of seconds. The good thing about the shift of a dress that the others had gotten for her was that it made it very easy for her to move. And move she did.

Before he had even gotten off the horse, or picked up and aimed the crossbow, Gleam was yards away, using the brush as cover. She did not turn and run away, not yet. Jakob was still close. And his scent was moving. She was going to have to deal with him too. And she was in his territory, both Jakob and Lucian, and she was sure both were more than familiar with it. Just running was not going to get her away from him. She had to think, in order to escape. Gods, why did she have to be in heat. More than likely the Cougar already knew what was happening here. Could she count on him for help? What about the Panther? But they would expect a reward, if either could wait long enough before trying to collect that reward.

In the shadows of the trees, she stopped, reaching up to rip free the leather that circled her throat. "He should have locked it if he wanted it to stay" she thought to herself, as she threw it out from her hiding spot, to hit the ground near him.

"I am done, Lucian" she called out. "I am done"

"I am not a possession and I will not be a possession. YOU did not deign to tell me there were others, others of my own kind, on your land. Others that are FREE... yet you expect me to live in YOUR chains!!! You expect me, to be able to exist, being looked upon by other FREE felines, like I am beneath them!!!! Do you even know how fucking HUMILIATING that is Lucian?? DO YOU??? All because YOU want to pleasure yourself, USING ME!!!! That is all you humans ever want, is to FUCK FERALS for your own pleasure. I am DONE LUCIAN"

She was snarling now, nearly frothing at the mouth. Seeing Jakob, knowing there were others. That had set her off. She was trembling. She could NOT live this way, not with FREE FERALS living on the same land, interacting with Lucian as equals... and she being seen as nothing more than his beautiful, sexy.... pet.... She knew she had made a HUGE mistake agreeing to the 3 days. What the fuck had she been thinking. Why?? Why Gleam?? Now you are the one at the disadvantage!!!! WHY???? Her mind was screaming at her.. WHY????

Because you were lonely....Because you were attracted to him..... Because it was an adventure, that you thought you could control... Because you made a very very bad mistake....

All these thoughts raced thru her very confused mind. Being in heat compounded her confusion. As much as the males sought the females during such a time, the females craved the males. The females needed release as much as the males did. Gleam was no different. Scenting Jakob, another feline, had set off a reaction in her, one she did NOT want to feel, one she did not want to admit. She wanted Jakob. But worse, she wanted Lucian. The thought sickened her. NO, it was just her damned body talking, she did NOT want the Human, she did not want the Cougar.

All she wanted was to go home...

"I am DONE LUCIAN... I will go NO FURTHER!!!"

 

[RainingHeat]

<Double Post... sorry>

 

[dryfter]

"NO."

To say that her sudden defiance surprised him would be a serious understatement. One that only compounded as she twisted in his arms and slipped from the horse as he watched impassively, still in a mild state of shock at the vehemence in her refusal.

"I am done, Lucian" she called out. "I am done"

He watched her from atop his saddle as Gleam fumed and spat, venting her frustration and anger at her tormentor. And perhaps rightly so.

"I am not a possession and I will not be a possession. YOU did not deign to tell me there were others, others of my own kind, on your land. Others that are FREE... yet you expect me to live in YOUR chains!!! You expect me, to be able to exist, being looked upon by other FREE felines, like I am beneath them!!!! Do you even know how fucking HUMILIATING that is Lucian?? DO YOU??? All because YOU want to pleasure yourself, USING ME!!!! That is all you humans ever want, is to FUCK FERALS for your own pleasure. I am DONE LUCIAN"

"What do you know about humiliation?," Lucian muttered softly, his eyes boring into her own calmly. Have you been hung from a pulley and dangled in front of a room full of nobles, a bar between your legs to keep them from opening as they examine whether or not you've been mated before, and have your value determined by the answer? Have you been blindfolded and bound so that you couldn't move a single muscle as men you don't know and don't want to know caress every part of your body that you hold sacred? Have you been forced to mate with your own brother because some noble orders you to, knowing you will be whipped and restrained into do it should you refuse?"

He paused a second, his own fury starting to slowly creep into his eyes. How dare she judge him....and how dare she judge those he allowed on his land.

"Or perhaps you were found unsuitable for bedding. Tell me of the days you spent fighting in the colosseum spilling the guts of your own kinsman, the ones you slept with in packs the night before, trained with, and ate with. All for what humans call "glory", a hollow glory that gets you nowhere but fills your every dream with nightmare. Is that the humiliation you're speaking of?"

Lucian could feel eyes upon him. Eyes that were not Gleam's, and he knew the two of them were being watched. He was being measured for weakness. Just as he knew whomever was doing the watching probably just flinched away from the words he had just spoken.

"Nobody on this land is free, Gleam. Not even me."

He slid down from the horse then, his face settling into a scowl as his boots found earth once more. His eyes drifted over to the discarded collar as the tigress before him brazenly showed off her bare throat.

"I am DONE LUCIAN... I will go NO FURTHER!!!"

The vest slid from his shoulders, discarded to his right without so much as a thought......his thin cotton shirt easily shucked up and over his head. She could get a good look at him now. See how he had bronzed in the sun all these years, note ever last scar that had been granted him from any number of battles he simply now regarded as "senseless."

He didn't stop there. Reaching for his sturdy leather belt, he began to shuck off his leggings. If she wanted her confrontation right here, he wasn't about to give her anything to grab on to in their fight.

"You can run if you'd like. I'm sure you can smell them too. You're the one who took off the collar. I wonder if you'd get a hundred steps before they got you.
All you humans want do do is fuck. That's what you said right? You think Jakob just came out here to say hello? Pretty sure if there wasn't more than fucking to me, I'd have taken you by now and done it in your own bed."

Lucien kicked away his boots one at a time, before letting the pants finally finish going the same route.

"There are 8 ferals currently living on my land. I hope to add more. I know all their names. I know all their stories. I remember because its important that I do so. Its important that I never forget what I saved them from. That's what fuels me to keep doing what I do."

Lucian's face hardened as he dropped low into a crouch, his hands upraised and spread wide.

"Do you know why they're here, Gleam? Because you ARE a possession, and a prized one at that. One that will be hunted until the day she is captured or killed. And in the event that I lose today, our watcher intends to claim what I could not. And in the event that you kill me today......the word will spread."

For the first time, just a hint of sadness cut through an otherwise fierce visage.

"The "lord" of the land is dead. And hunters will be free to hunt here again. So tell me who is really free?"

His voice dropped low, a touch of gravel grating across the chords as he spoke.

"Now either put that fucking collar back on, or come at me. I've not got all night, let's get this over with."