Beast World

Chapter 7 – Cries herself to sleep

“WHAT!” The word ripped out of her throat with a threatening intent. “Are you telling me that you want to sell me to some random man you know back home, I’m not an object! I refuse, you can’t make me!” Even before Derik could react to her disgusted loud outburst she had stood up and backed away from him reaching her hands in front of her to maintain distance.

Watching little Charlie back herself into a wall in a defensive stance was rather amusing. Sell he thought incredulously, clearly he had stated she would choose a male, is that what she meant by man. Curling his lips up he thought maybe she didn’t want a partner. He knew that if she did not pick the leader would select the best males to fight for her. The winner claiming the honour to mark her, mate with her and become her first partner whether she agreed to it or not. In saying that, that had never happened. Females loved choosing ceremonies they could pick the best of the best. She would need protection and to be cared for. “That is enough settle down, you may speak with Johnston about it tomorrow, only he can help you with the choosing ceremony by speaking with the clan leader". He tried to remain cold and distant, his attachment to her was a big problem.

Charlotte didn’t know what to do, she had almost been raped today. She didn’t want some random man to sleep with her. She would die first, she thought to herself. Eyes brimming with tears, “Derik please don’t do this, we can stay here until the police find us. I don’t want to go.” Her arms fell to her side as her body shook while the tears eventually slid down her cheeks in a constant stream when he failed to reply. Taking his lack of a response as a no Charlotte lost control of her emotions.

Derik was almost undone. Without thinking he was in front of her within a second pulling her to his chest and rubbing her back soothing her gently. She was sobbing so hard she couldn't even use her words. She clung to Derik so tightly for an hour with no intention of letting go. This was the only place she felt truly safe in his embrace. A sent of pine wafted to her partially blocked nose, her tears soaked his chest. A few times over the hour he had repositioned her in his arms, she had not cared or rejected the movements as long he kept his arms wrapped around her. The one time he tried to take his arms away and remove her hold on him she exploded into a loud cry with her whole-body convulsing. He quickly reclaimed her in his arms trying to settle her. Slowly she cried herself to sleep against his chest.

Charlotte didn’t know what had come over her, but she couldn’t stop herself. There was no way she was going to let Derik leave her or take her to have s*x with some random man. She would stay right here in this cave even if he left her. She was always taught when lost to stay still and someone would come find her. At least that’s want her mum used to say before she died leaving Charlotte alone with her grandmother.

Finally, when the little Charlie stopped crying and fell asleep in Derik’s arms, he let out a breath of relief. Already panicking about her temper in the morning when they were to set off he decided to leave now and carry her to the village while she slept. Grabbing some furs from the bed he threw them over her. Without a second thought on the idea he set off for the village. He still couldn’t work out what was going through her head, what were police? and did she actually want to just stay with him at the cave? How had he lost control of himself, all he wanted to do was claim her as his own.

After 6 hours of walking with little Charlie tucked snugly in his arms covered in furs he reached the village. A few scares occurred when she moved, or light moans escaped her lips seemingly having bad dreams. Many males approached him clearly smelling the precious bundle in his arms when inside the village. Growling low in his throat if anyone got too close he headed straight to Johnston’s home. It was still not quite light, but the buzz of a new sweet-smelling female spread quickly throughout the clan.