Conquered Love (Love Series: Book 1) FREE READ

Chapter 4: The Hunt

::Lord Dom's POV::

I had given her an ultimatum. One that would benefit her either way. I don't have to marry her, especially when she does not desire it. I have been behaving like the savage she claims me to be and that gutted me throughout the whole time. Ryanna decided that she cannot fend for herself nor return, so she has agreed to come along until she can find a suitable place to make home with. She is to be joined with the other citizens and I will grant her protection until she does.

But I wanted to punch myself so hard. I had lunged and almost gave in to my lustful desires. She didn't look afraid, but I knew when I looked in her eyes that it was not right to react so eagerly.

I always had women offer themselves to me. I gladly take and satisfy them beyond their fantasies. I had never been attached and would often settle it then and there about what we agreed to do. There were no strings attached. Well, that was usually how it started out until they woke up the next day without me and then caused a ruckus about their claim of love for me.

I am the Lord of the Southern clan Renek. I cannot jeopardize the plans to take back what was stolen from my people. The Royal Government has failed multiple times to prove their trust. If it were anyone else, I would have easily beheaded Ryanna.

But why didn't I?

I began to fumble through my thoughts. A part of me warned about the dangers of housing a half-blooded royal, while the other is curious to know about her intuition. She did reject me twice, and it hurt my ego so immensely that I told myself to let it go altogether. I had a meeting with my general in three days, so we could discuss our next move. Our support of the liberated citizens have definitely raised funds for the military. But, I also fathomed the enemies we have made.

To the north was the Royal Government. They possess the most wealth and strictly trained soldiers. They possessed numbers, but not the reputable charisma as they once did. To the East of our territory we had the Vikings and Spartans currently rampaging against each other. We have decided to step back and focus on recruiting rebels who despise the unfair treatment of the Royal Government.

And their king... King Jerard.

He was someone who would give up his pawns and queens to save himself in this war of chess. He feasted comfortably while the taxed people ate crumbs. He shared warm beds with multiple whores and then kicked them out, declaring them defiled and unworthy to share a house with his ranks.

He makes me sick.

I initially wanted to s***h his head off then and there, when we met at the meeting. My general wanted to stall a bit and reminded me that we do not possess the strength and numbers just yet. He also stated that if what he said was to be true, then perhaps a seize fire would benefit us greatly as we rack numbers.

But of course, that was a lie.

He did not give me what he promised. He mocked me with the intent of getting the better end of the stick. It boils me knowing that he had ordered those poor brain-washed innocents to attack my soldiers as we came with the white garrison. We didn't want to, but we had to.

When I saw her face that night. Something in me churned, and I did not want to let her go. Not like that at least. She bore sadness and did not have a glimpse of hope left in her. A feeling I felt all too familiar with. I could at least let her live peacefully within our borders. That would be the trade for my behavior.

"Lord Dom, we will be arriving in about three days, however, our horses have began to tire," a scout reported.

I looked back and saw that we have been traveling far too long and indeed needed rest. The sun was still in high noon and we were on uncharted territory for hunting grounds.

"Signal everyone to change paths in my lead there is a place we can rest for the night," I then gestured towards a forest.

The scout nodded and yelled as he made his way to the back of the troop line. I forgot that my stag was the strongest horse and failed to realize that the others had a hard time keeping up. I looked back and counted no one to be missing.

Then my eyes laid on the carriage. Ryanna was there.

I wonder what she is doing?

No. We promised her we wouldn't be a bother.

The soldiers sighed of relief and gladly joined my pathway. We all headed into the forest.

The trees covered the canvas thickly. Fruits, wild game, and the songs of nature rang through the breeze. We had stopped near a small cliff where a hooded opening bore just enough shelter for everyone.

"Everyone set up tent," I ordered, "Archers prepare for the hunt. Scouts scour the lands and make sure we aren't being followed. There is a nearby river where we can bathe and receive water. We will ride at dawn, so get some rest."

All the troops began to do as their told and settled their horses nearby trees where they enjoyed the fallen apples. The archers particularly loved hunting as it also contained training for their duties. Before I could scan through everyone I felt a tug on my cloaked fur.

"What should I do?" Ryanna asked.

I was taken by surprise, I looked down at her and she had not looked at me so I insisted, "You can tend to the horses or prepare fire for the roasts. The archers are-"

"I want to hunt," she softly said.

Hunt?

This is not usual for women to volunteer to. Most of the time the women would prefer to stay behind and do homestead instead. But who was I to judge one by its covers?

My eyes dropped below her face and lingered onto her soft plump breasts. I immediately looked the other way. I could feel my face getting red, but I had to hide it.

"I have extra bows and arrows, I can have the archers show you the ropes," I signaled to a horse that carried our supplies.

"I want you to teach me," she added.

That is not a good idea.

She tugged harder, "I want to learn from the highest warrior, how am I to fend or feed myself if I don't learn from you?"

Dammit.

My soldiers were highly skilled, but I couldn't deny that I was better. It is something I hope they could come to though.

"I'm surprised you want to learn from a savage," I chuckled.

"Maybe there are things that not even the royals could teach me," she countered.

I did not read into that correctly. I know I was losing my mind thinking she meant that in a lustful manner. Was she drunk?

"Well, we got to get going then, night doesn't assist with our vision in these parts."

I got down from my horse and signaled for her to get on. She looked at me confused.

"Get on."

"Why should I have to?!" She asked.

I sighed and gestured towards her ankle, "It's not particularly healed just yet right?"

She pursed her lips as she silently admitted her defeat, "I still want to hunt."

"Whatever you wish for," I sarcastically bowed, "Your highness," and then chuckled.

Ryanna was struggling to get a top of Merwin, my horse. I raised an eyebrow at her tactics as she continued to flop over the saddle. Merwin whinnied in discomfort and I patted his neck to calm him down.

"The trick is, you gotta get your other leg on the other side to ride a horse," I joked.

"Well, I can't do so when one of em is injured now, can I?" she mocked me.

"My soldiers go on with multiple missing limbs, this is child's play."

I saw her roll her eyes at me and finally got on properly. She seemed pleased with herself and puffed out her bosoms which I gave her a bored stare, "A century later, maybe it'll take two for you to hit a deer."

I led Merwin and Ryanna to the East side of the forest, as I ordered the archers to go to the West. This way we will have more chances of catch for tonight's dinner. We walked a few miles before I heard a rustle.

"Here's a good spot," I announced. There was bound to be a deer or two around these parts.

"Okay, coming down," I heard her say.

"Don't make too much noise or we will have to find new grounds," I hushed.

"Well it's not li-" then heard Ryanna scream, "Ahhh!"

I turned around and frantically caught her as she was falling off the horse. I had her in my arms with her legs in the air and arms tightened between mine. I looked at her and she nervously looked at me. I then heard the rustles intensify and heard the deer run off further away.

"You ruined our chance!" I turned back to her, only to see those eyes saddened. I could not breathe.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

I felt my eyebrow twitching, and my legs shaking in nervousness as I set her down, "It's okay, they couldn't have gotten too far."

This was not going to be as easy as I thought it would be.

We tried again, I bent down onto discover some tracks of small hooves.

Must be the deer! I proudly assumed.

"So what is it?" Ryanna asked as she bent down beside me, her face a few inches from my jaw.

"I- uh..." I mumbled, "It's probably the deer."

"But the feces does not belong to a deer," she pointed to dung droppings not too far away.

I looked over and knew she was right. They were not round pellet droppings that deer usually leave behind. But if it looked like that then...

"Hogs!"

We heard the grunts and angry oinks of the razorback hog burst through the bushes. It was incredibly fast and I had to scoop Ryanna up. We came face to face with a 3 foot razorback black hog. He steamed anger through his large nostrils and began aggressively digging into the dirt.

"He's about to charge," I heard her say. I looked over at her sarcastically and said,

"You think?"

Then I heard the pounding of his hooves meeting the ground. He charged straight at me and I had to leap to the side to dodge him. He soon stopped his charge and turned around ready to begin again. I had to get Ryanna away from the danger and signaled Merwin over. I plopped her onto his back and commanded him to get away. Merwin understood and quickly galloped behind a nearby tree.

"Now it's just me and you pig!"

He charged at me again with full force. I focused on him and quickly drew out my dagger before I could swing I saw an arrow fly right past my eye. What the-

"Oops I missed," I heard Ryanna saying.

"You missed the pig or me?" I panicked.

"This next one won't miss," she drew back her arrow, "Keep him busy."

Again. Who was she referring to?

The pig missed me by an inch as I grabbed his back legs. He shuffled and kicked, but I had him gripped too tight. My muscles tensed as I yelled out a cry. I lifted the pig into the air and slammed it on the other side. He grunted in pain and I heard a few of his bones crack. I held my dagger in one hand and steadied the pig with the other. I sliced through the bottom of his neck. Blood came gushing out as the main artery had been breached. The pig screamed in pain and frantically tried to run away. I turned him over and punched the back of his neck where he instantly knocked out. There were no more grunts and his eyes closed as he died.

I picked up my kill and lofted it on my shoulder. I walked towards Merwin and Ryanna when she said, "I was supposed to kill it!"

"There is no patience or second chances in war. Sorry that he wouldn't just stand there and let you miss him again," I heard my voice slightly panting.