Chapter three
1689 Words
Ella's POV
It's super dark in the woods tonight. The moon is not out, and I can't see anything. It feels scary, and it's making my heart beat very fast. I'm running away from them, and it hurts to breathe because of my aching ribs. I don't need to look back to know if they were coming after me. It feels like they're getting closer and closer.
I ran through some bushes and came into an open space. A little bit of moonlight was shining through the trees.
Although I did not see anyone, I could feel their eyes on me. That was my thought until I heard a sound… groaning of a person.
I stopped, my eyes searching for the direction where the sound was coming from.
That was when I saw HIM!
I couldn't process what I was seeing at first. What I saw was a creature larger than any wolf I'd ever seen in my entire life as a warrior, its massive form splashed with dark, wet patches that could only be blood. Then he shifts…not completely, but enough to reveal little of human form hiding in the beast… What was he? I don't know.
He was still very big even when he was half-transformed. He was finding it difficult to breathe and the metallic scent of his blood filled my nose. It was very clear that he was very weak, but he still radiated power, which feels like waves. He looks like a mystery that I can't explain. My legs wouldn't allow me to run away when my instincts were busy screaming…run away, save yourself.
"Help... Help…" The word was more growling than speech.
I took an involuntary step backwards. "I can't... I don't…"
"Blood." His head snapped toward me, his eyes shining molten gold in the darkness. "I need... your blood."
Every nerve in my body urges me to flee, to get as far from this creature as possible. But something else held me in place…a force I can't name tingling under my skin. Before I realized what I was doing, I was kneeling beside him.
"Fine," I whispered, my hands trembling.
"Just this once."
I bit my wrist a little, I did exactly what my instinct suggested and I offered it to him. Without wasting time he grabbed my arm fast and held on super tight. He was hurt, but he was still very strong. His nails scratched me a little, but then he put his mouth on my wrist.
When he sucked up my blood with all the strength he got, I felt a weird, strong feeling inside. It didn't hurt; it was more like... a tiny but warm tingle. It felt like he was taking something special from me, and it made my tummy feel funny and my core was throbbing. I wanted to make an ecstasy sound, but I kept it in.
His grip loosened as he pulled away, my blood staining his lips. When his eyes met mine, the world stopped moving. I forgot how to breathe. I couldn't breathe.
He made a low, deep sound, like a big growl. I could feel the vibrations throughout my body. My heart was beating very fast, and my thoughts were all scattered. It felt like tiny tingles were moving between us. It felt as if the air was magical.
"I... I should go," I stammered, trying to pull away. His hand catches my arm…gentle but unmovable.
"Stay," he murmurs. His voice is softer now, but carries a weight that makes my knees weak.
I don't know why I couldn't run away. It was like I was pinned down. Maybe it's because I felt a special connection to him, like an invisible thread dragging us together. Or maybe because I saw a tiny look of sadness in his golden eyes, and it made me want to stay with him. Is that an explanation for this feeling I can not understand?
He leaned in, his lips touching mine, and he kissed me hard. It was not soft or gentle, but it was not rough either. It was like a big burst of energy. The way he kissed me made me feel something strange and exciting inside of me, like a spark that I never knew was there.
I forgot how to reason and think. The world disappeared, and it felt as if it was only him that I knew.
I felt his hands on me like he was holding my soul. We were kissing, and it was like the whole world had melted away. His hands were around my waist, pulling me close and holding me very tight, and I felt like I was in a safe land.
"Wait", I murmured, like I didn't want the word to be heard by him.
My body was shaking terribly, and I felt scared and confused. I wanted him to stop, but at the same time, I didn't want him to stop.
Gosh…
"I don't even know who you are," I said.
He looked at me with his shining golden eyes, and I felt like I couldn't resist him. "You don't need to," he said. It didn't make sense, but when he talked, I felt like I had to listen.
"You should run," he says, lips grazing my jaw, breath hot against my skin. "Leave before it's too late."
But his hands tighten on my hips, his words at war with his actions.
"I don't understand," I whispered, my voice cracking. "What is this?"
His forehead rests against mine for a heartbeat. "Fate," he says with bitter resignation. "Or a curse. Maybe both."
He silences any response with another kiss, harder this time as if trying to drown whatever battle rages inside him. His urgency leaves no room for doubt or thought.
The air around us felt special and strong. It was like magic, and it made me feel like I had to do what he wanted. So I didn't try to stop him. He touched me like he owned me, but it didn't hurt. When he kissed my wrist, the same place, he sucked out blood... He wasn't actually kissing it, it was the both... kissing and drawing out more liquid from me. But, instead of pains... I felt tiny tingles go down my back. My legs felt weak, but he was holding me very tight, so I didn't fall.
I held onto him tightly, playing with his tangled messy hair. He made a low sound, and it felt a little scary, but I didn't want to let go.
"You don't know what you're getting into," he said, his voice harsh.
But he wasn't letting me go either.
"Then make me stop," I whispered.
His eyes got dark, and he looked a little wild.
"I can't," he said.
The rest of the night was filled with mixed emotions. I felt happy and scared and close to him all at the same time. At times, he was gentle and sweet, but then he would get intense again, and I would feel overwhelmed.
Silence enveloped us when it was all over. I was lying naked in the moonlight, and my body felt a little sore in new places. My heart was still beating fast. But I felt happy, and I wanted to sleep as I had just had a big scoop of my favourite ice cream. All smiling.
*****
The bright sunshine of the morning woke me up. Surprisingly, he was all gone. I felt a little mixed up and couldn't remember things clearly. When I tried to think about what he looked like, it was very blurry. I couldn't remember what he looked like at all. I couldn't remember his scent or anything.
My heart felt sad and empty. For a second, I thought maybe it was all just a dream. But then I saw the little scratches on my wrist, and I knew it was real. Whatever happened, it's not finished yet.
Not just yet.
I must find him.
My stomach hurt because I was so hungry. I have not eaten for days now. I sat up and my muscles ached. The clearing was empty, but there was a bundle wrapped in leaves next to the ashes of a fire. Inside, I found perfectly roasted chicken. It was still warm and smelled amazing. I was afraid at first, but I was very hungry to care.
Who was he? How can I find him?
Why did he leave?
A lot of unanswered questions.
I ate the whole thing, and it made me feel a little stronger.
After I finished eating, I looked around the empty clearing. It was quiet and still. I knew I had to wait till night before moving. I waited until the sun went down, then moved into the woods. Every step I took made me feel nervous. The forest felt different now, like things were hiding in the shadows.
I didn't go very far before I heard footsteps in the leaves.
I froze.
“Our runaway protector.” I heard a familiar voice. I turned around, and my eyes almost fell out of their sockets.
It was Dan and two guards. I wanted to run before he stopped me with his threats.
"Stop right there, or I will shoot you," he said, his voice very mean.
“Dan, please…”
I tried to beg him, but he didn't want to listen. He grabbed my arm and dragged me roughly through the forest. I tried struggling but he was too strong. The other soldiers surrounded me, their eyes cold and their weapons sharp.
“Thud…thud.” he hit my stomach.
I couldn't maintain my balance, and as we walked, I felt something strange happening inside me. It was like a force was pulling at my stomach, getting stronger and stronger. My legs felt heavy, and I stumbled. Dan yanked me back up, but I couldn't keep going.
The world started to move in a circle, and my vision became blurred. I heard them arguing, and it felt like my body was going to break in two.
The forest disappeared, and everything went black.
- Writer
