Miatta
The cell smelled like unwashed bodies and death. I could almost hear the screams of the people who had been previously held there as well. Claw marks and blood stains marred the walls, turning them black as tar. It was so small that I could not lie horizontally without my legs pushing the wall. I wasn't feeling sleepy though; I was hungry because I hadn't gotten the chance to eat before Yvette had come with the lycan guards. My stomach rumbled and if not for the collar keeping my wolf at bay, she would have clawed down the cell. I should have known that Ryan could not be trusted to keep my secret. I would have noticed she was skittish if I hadn't been distracted by thoughts of the Lycan Prince. Even he had not saved me when it came down to it.
The sun was still up, the warmth of the day reaching me from where I was. The window was very far from me so the rays scattered above my head. I hated the cornmeal every other day but I could tolerate it as long as I had something to eat. A guard was stationed outside my cell but he left occasionally and returned quickly to avoid being accused of negligence. He didn't say a word to me, looking far away with a mean countenance. I was alone and probably branded a troublemaker by the rest of the slaves. The Lycan King had not fallen for my act and so far, I had been brought before him thrice. I beseeched the Moon Goddess to give me another chance to live. I hugged my knees to my chest, remembering home fondly. I wasn't that far from my pack but before I would even think of leaving, I would be eliminated by the lycan foot soldiers. I belonged to the Red Bone Pack and they would never let me leave alive unless...unless I could find a way to leave without them realizing it.
Going through the front gates was too obvious so I had to come up with something good, some kind of alternative. The gate was surrounded by stony walls, not affected by agents of disintegration, strong and scary as ever. They were too high to jump over unless in wolf form and there were no burrows to crawl underneath. The forest was my only escape route because it ran all the way back into many lands and had no boundaries. The healer’s shack stood on its outskirts, the only woman allowed to pitch her tent close to it. Nobody went in there, at least for the while I had been outside, I hadn't seen anyone venturing in. It seemed off-limits for some reason and then, it hit me. Their Moon Festival was in days and then, everyone would be allowed to partake. The scary guards would let down their guard and I would have my chance if I was still alive by then.
The sun went down and evening came but I remained in that cell. I tried to rid myself of the stupid collar but it was like a second skin. It dug into my flesh, not breaking the skin yet having such a grip that made me uncomfortable. My cell got dark after some time and I fell back on my supernatural sight, monitoring the space around me. I was delirious with hunger and my head spun with tedium. Just when I was ready to roll on my back and beg for mercy, a woody scent floated to my nostrils, followed by an appetizing aroma of new leaves on branches and the peace of the forest. I could see no one coming but I could hear distinct footsteps approaching. Suddenly, the guard was on alert, watching for whomever it was. A shadow came closer, standing before the guard. Without uttering a word, the warrior picked up his bone sword and walked away as if in a trance.
The shadow changed its course, coming my way instead. I was supposed to be afraid but he or she smelled so amazing and for someone who hadn't had squat to eat, that aroma was welcome anytime. The person was cloaked from head to toe and my curiosity heightened the more. The hood was pulled back and a face was revealed to me.
“L–L–Luke? How did you...” The rest of the disguise went off and I stood in awe.
“I think you mean ‘My Lord’, Miatta.”
Lucas
She stumbled backwards, tripping over her own feet. Silently, I unlocked her cell and let myself in, watching her scramble away from me. It hurt me greatly to see her running away from me; she was my mate, for God's sake and she was supposed to feel safe with me. She hid her face, shaking her head vigorously in confusion.
“I should have known. I should have known, by God, I was so stupid. It was right in front of me all the time- you even messed up your name the first time and yet I couldn't see through your facade. You took the collar yet you stood there before your father and let me take the blame. Bastard!”
Her surprise was rapidly changing to anger and she got up in no time. I had no excuse thought up despite how long I had spent in my room, ruminating over what I would say to her. She had every right to be mad at me- I totally deserved it- but I couldn't stand her yelling at me. I felt disappointed in myself, a coward for not standing up for her. If I had known then what I know now, perhaps I would have acted differently. I was lost in my thoughts that I barely managed to dodge the swing of her fist. It brushed against my shirt lightly but the impact of the blow escaped me luckily.
“Miatta!” I exclaimed, pulling on her arm and dragging her into my embrace, her back to my front. She struggled to release herself, her scent overclouding my senses. My organ swelled at the contact between her ass and my thighs and I almost loosened my grip on her. I cursed softly when she brushed against me again, her curves supple and tempting me to explore.
“Let me go!” she fought valiantly, blinding throwing elbows and fists.
“Will you let me speak if I let you go? There is something you need to know. There will be enough time for you to take swings at my head and stab me in my sleep for misusing your trust but...Goddess, Miatta!”
Her elbow finally connected with my stomach, knocking the wind out of me and I crumbled to the floor. I rose to my elbows, my bone knife in her grasp.
“I'm going to kill you and damn the consequences!” she threatened and crawled on me, blinded by revenge.
“You are my mate, Miatta!” I shouted, our faces in close range. “We are mates and if you kill me, you will lose a part of your soul.”