Alastair

Chapter 1

I woke up to find myself shivering, it was freezing in this house. I got up sliding my feet into my favorite bunny slippers and throwing a blanket over my shoulders. I made it out to the Livingroom to see a white blanket of snow coating my front yard out of the window.

"It's already here." I sighed. Knowing how much I still needed to do for the winter it had me annoyed. I walked in to my kitchen to start the coffee as I waited I recalled the dream I had. There was a man there, holding his hand out to me calling me 'Come to my Esme.' 'I will protect you I'll never harm you, just trust me.' he was a man's man. You know the really tall, really big, with massive shoulders and rippling muscles. A man everyone dreams of. He had long dark hair but his eyes. His eyes are what stood out the most, pitch black surrounded his pupal which was the color of the sun, a bright yellow that could make any man run away crying. But to me I wanted to get lost in them, to retreat and hide from the painful life I have as a reality.

"Where the f**k is my coffee women?" Frank yelled coming towards me. I grabbed a mug and poured him some before it was even finished brewing.

"Here it is, I am so sorry." I said with a shaky voice. I hope he is in a good mood today.

"Hey b***h! Your dog ain't movin." he said with a snicker. I dropped my mug and ran to Mr. Darcy's side. Frank was right my sweet boy finally crossed the rainbow bridge where he would reunite with my father. He was no longer in pain and I could deal with that. But I broke down in tears knowing my only safe heaven was gone. I was left here with him. Before I knew it a sharp pain was shooting through my head and neck, as frank ripped at my hair pulling my face to look up at him.

"Your alone now b***h, I am going to f**k you raw to celebrate. Would you like that?" he spat

"No." I said. Who the f**k would like being forced to have s*x with Frank? He started pulling me down the hallway towards the bedroom I already knew I was going to be in pain before the day's end. I scream and fought as hard as I could but he was stronger than me, He threw me on the bed grabbing one wrist and strapping it to the headboard he moved the next he punched me in the jaw, I couldn’t hear anything over my screaming until he snarled "b***h I swear to god I'll…." his sentence was cut short when he busted his way into the bedroom. I could see body parts start flying as Franks screams got louder. I closed my eyes until it was quite. When I opened them I saw the man from my dream standing with his back to me, he was massive and still visibly angry.

"Thank you.." I said almost in a whisper. "Thank you for saving me."

He swung around stepping into the light, I could see his face, a crown of horns across his forehead, Long horns coming from the side of his head, black shinny skin, teeth that were long and sharp hanging down on lower lip. Large black wings laying at his side. His eyes were the same though. I scooted back so I was able to look at him better and I left out a small gasp when I knew I was right. It was the man from my dreams. He was real. But before I had the chance to say anything else he was gone. I heard the water running in my guest washroom. After a little while he walked back into the room. But now he had golden skin, long dark hair, he was still very tall and very muscular. 

"f**k" I heard him whisper as he walked over releasing me from my bonds. The way he walked towards me though, like he was afraid of making me fear him. I should have feared him, but his presence was soothing to me. Once he finished he stood back up and smiled him. A very large all my teeth showing smile.

"It's you." was all I could say. He looked at me c*****g his head to the side.

"You don’t fear me?" he asked confused. His question made me confused.

"No.. I know you wont hurt me. You've already told me." I said with a small smile.

He didn’t say anything, he was on me pinning me to the bed, his face only inches away. I could smell his scent and it was intoxicating, so over whelming I started to spin. He smelled of burnt cedar, dark spice with a hint of musky vanilla. I took a deep breath with a smile playing across my face, I let out a satisfied moan before opening my eyes to see him staring at me wide eyed and in shock.

I reach my head up cupping his cheek, "Are you alright?" I asked.

"Your perfect." he said with a low rumble. "We need to get you back home before I do something I regret here." he said as he pulled me into his arms. He was about to do something before I basically yelled.

"Wait!! I can't leave Mr. Darcy that way, I need to bury him.." I looked down, trying to hide my tears. I felt a very warm, almost like fire finger lifting my chin up so I was looking into his eyes.

"Please Esme, never hide yourself. Not from me." he said with a soft smile. He placed me on my feet and we walked into the living room where my sweet boy laid.

He turned looking at me saying "I will do this, why don’t you go pack somethings you want to take with us." I wanted to protest but something about him made me back down. I left him there wandering into my room grabbing a small suitcase and shoving it full of random clothes, bath essentials and other essentials.  Once I was finished I made my way into the living room where he was standing waiting for me.

"I thought you'd like to have this." he said as he handed me Mr. Darcy's collar.

"Thank you, erm…. I'm sorry I don’t know your name." I said a little embarrassed,

"My name is Alastair, Angel." he replied as he scooped me up into his arms, I laid my head agaisnt his chest and my hand rested on his shoulder. I could feel he was tense, than relax under my touch which made a goofy smile come across my face. "Close your eyes love."

I did as he asked, I could feel his thick heavy wings wrapping around us and the wind whipping through my hair, the heat of fire caressing my skin and Alastair's grip tightening with each heartbeat. Than everything went still and deadly quite.

"You can open your eyes now Angel, it's safe." he whispered with each breath as he peppered soft kisses all over my face. "You did well."

I opened my eyes and we were in a large room. The walls were all black with golden trimmings. The bed had four posts wrapped in roses and the bedding was red satin sheets, with a large animal pelts along with a mountain of pillows. I looked around more when my eyes landed on a very large marble fireplace, in front of the fireplace was a large leather sofa and two leather chairs on either side, behind one of the chairs was a very large bookcase. I got so excited when I saw that I gave a squeal wiggling my way out of his arms skipping towards it, once I made my way there I ran my fingers over the worn spines of each book.

"You like to read?" I heard him ask, he was close I could feel it. I turned around with a big smile.

"Yes I love to read. I am assuming you do as well?" I asked taking a step towards him.

"Mm, no these are all my mother's books." he said looking down like he was trying to forget something painful. "They can be yours now Angel."

I was standing directly in front of him now. He was still looking down, so I placed my hands on either side of his face willing him to look at me. He did, his eyes were filled with pain. I stepped closer wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into a comforting hug. He instantly snaked his arms around my waist holding me so close I could feel every staggered breath he took. It was some time until he was calm. He pulled away looking at me.

"Are you hungry?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes, I could eat thank you." I said.

Alastair took my hand leading me out of the room into a very long hallway. It was decorated paintings. Old paintings I wanted to stop and look at them longer but my stomach was growling at me. Along the ceiling hung candle lit chandlers, this hall and Alastair's bedroom looked like something out of history. Once we made it to the end of the hallway we took a left and walked into the foyer before going into a very large formal dinning room than into the kitchen.

"Mistress!!" I heard a voice say in excitement. I looked in that direction to see a shorter pudgy man standing with his arms in the air wearing a chef's outfit. I gave him a big smile, I squeezed Alastair's hand and placed my other one on his arm. He walked us towards the breakfast bar area, pulling out a stool for me before taking a seat next to me.

"Mistress, I am so very pleased you have made it to us safety. What would you like for breakfast?" he beamed with a big smile.

"I am not a picky eater, whatever you'd like to cook I will happily eat." I said with a smile. I looked over to see Alastair looking at me softly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes love, I am okay. I am just so surprised." he said.

"What do you mean?" I replied.

"You. Your so open to what is going on." he said rubbing the back of his head.

"I don’t quite understand what is going on, but I saw you in my dreams and I don’t fear you." I said with a straight face.

"I will explain everything to you Angel, after you eat." He said reaching over grabbing my hand.

"Here you are Mistress, My king. I have made you Eggs Benedict with bacon and crispy bread. I do hope you enjoy." he said as he placed the plates of food in front of us. "Oh! I almost forgot here is your coffee as well. Is there any creamer I can get you Mistress?"

"Do you have any chocolate creamer?" I asked.

"Yes Mistress!" He said as he went to the pantry picking it out and bringing it to me.

"What is your name?" I asked

"Oh Mistress, please forgive me! I am Peter the castles cook." he said before he turned and started cleaning the pots and pans he used. I nodded and started eating, I didn’t want to interrupt him.

With my first bite the flavors exploded and danced across my taste buds. It was creamy thick and brilliant. The bread with so soft in the middle but crispy and crunchy on the outside. Breakfast was one the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. We finished our food and coffee, I stood and started gathering the plates walking them over to the sink before Peter saw me. "No Mistress! Please I will do this." he said.

Alastair came over taking my hand and leading me out to the Foyer and out to the front lawn area. Outside was breath taking, green grass for as far as you could see, thick tall trees and flowers everywhere. I looked to see a man running towards us with something in his hands. He bowed as he approached Alastair handing him a basket. Alastair dismissed him and lifted the blanket looking inside smiling and placing the blanket back into place before turning to me holding the basket out to me.

"What is  this Alastair?" I asked a little confused.

"I know I can't replace your companion but I hope this helps you heal." He said with a small smile and soft eyes. I looked at the basket to see the blanket stir. I set it down on the pebble covered ground, lifting to the blanket reveling a solid black puppy, his eyes were bright blood red it looked like little flames dancing, he had no fur other than his tail, it was puffy with thick hair and he has a mane of the same fluffy thick fur running down his spin from the top of his head blending into his tale, his skin was more like thick leather. He was beautiful but terrifying. I reached my hand out slowly to let his little nose smell me. He caught my scent and wagged his tail so quickly his little body was shaking back and forth.

I smiled widely "Alastair what is he?"

"He is a Hellhound love. He will love you, he will be very loyal but most of all he will protect you with his life." He explained. Hellhound? I have come this far right? Just roll with it and relax. 

"Oh Alastair!" I said standing and throwing my arms around his neck placing kisses to his cheek, "Thank you so much! This is such a thoughtful gift. I miss my Mr. Darcy so much but it will be nice to have a companion again." He smile wrapping his arms around my waist, leaning down and capturing my lips into a hot, passionate, demanding kiss. My brain was telling me to pull away, to guard myself that he was dangerous but my body and heart melted into him, returning his kiss. My whole body erupted into a frenzy of little tingles wrapping themselves around every nerve ending in my body. He pulled back releasing me so I was able to tend to my new friend. I kneeled back down looking up to see Alastair smiling from ear to ear.

"Let's bring him in side love, I have some work I need to do you can read or watch a movie if you'd like until I am finished." He said softly.

Hand in hand we made our way back to his bedroom. Once we arrived I set the basket on the sofa and sat down next to it, I carefully took my new friend out setting him on the floor watching him investigate his surroundings and jumping around in excitement.

"What am i going to name you little one?" I asked him. He turned looking at me, he gave me a small growl and his tail lit on fire. "Oh, I am sorry. What I am going to call you my big strong boy?"

His tail went out and he gave my foot a big lick. I sat back watching him play as I thought. I remembered a story my grand mother would telling me about monster size black dogs that moved so fast you only saw shadows along the coastline of England. For centuries, locals have told tales of a large black dog with malevolent flaming red eyes. According to reports, the beast varies in size and stature from that of a large dog to the size of a horse. Sometimes Black Shuck has appeared headless, and at other times he appears to float on a carpet of mist. According to folklore, the specter often haunts graveyards, sideroads, crossroads and dark forests. There are legends of Black Shuck roaming the Anglian countryside since before Vikings. His name may derive from the Old English word scucca meaning "demon", or possibly from the local dialect word shucky meaning "shaggy" or "hairy".  It is said that his appearance bodes ill to the beholder, although not always. More often than not, stories tell of Black Shuck terrifying his victims, but leaving them alone to continue living normal lives; in some cases it has supposedly happened before close relatives to the observer die or become ill. In other tales the dog is considered relatively benign, and said to accompany women on their way home in the role of protector rather than a portent of ill omen. I always chose to believe they were protectors, I always believed what went bump in the night wasn't as bad as the legend's made them out to be. Humans were the real evil in the world that I knew for sure. 

"I think the name Black Shuck would be fitting, we can call you Shucky for short, how does that sound?" I asked him. He looked up at me the flames in his eyes danced with excitement and his mane was burning brightly. He was a beautiful creature. I leaned back on the sofa stretching out and switching a movie on. I don’t remember much of the movie I feel asleep before I got 30 minutes in. I woke up to find myself in bed, with Alastair wrapped around me from behind and Shucky curled into my front. Being held and protected like this felt really nice. I could stay here all day without any complaints. I noticed Shucky had gotten a lot larger within the time I feel asleep to now, I could see the thick muscles under his skin flexing with every breath he took. I placed my hand on his back slowly stroking his fur trail. He opened his eyes gave out a loud yawn and stretched, he hoped out of bed before walking to the door and pawing at it.

"Do you need to go potty Shucky?" I whispered as I wiggles my way free from Alastair's grasp. I got out of bed finding I was missing my clothing. So I grabbed sweat pants and sweater out of his closet before we walked down the hall and out to the front, Shucky ran out into the grass and relieved himself. I stood with my arms crossed watching as the sun came over the mountain's. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the cold morning weather, I heard bushes moving near me. Shucky ran to my side growling and baring his teeth. I could have swore I saw a women with bright red eyes standing there staring back at me, I was about to approach her before I heard someone yelling.

"Where is she?" Alastair yelled "Where the f**k is she?"

I whistled to Shucky who came running beside me up the stairs. I opened the door letting him run inside first and  than I was met with burning red eyes as the fire consumed him in anger.