Rose had never felt so free, she had run for hours now and believed she could run forever. The cold never crossed her mind as she zipped past trees at a speed she had never reached before. The voice had not spoken to her again, only filling her with warmth as it continued to have control of her.
It was soon night, and she had not even stopped to take a break, exhaustion finally hitting her along with hunger. The voice had refused to stop though. Never responding to her questions.
A howl broke her from her thoughts, she had crossed into someone’s territory. A feeling of dread and panic filled her, the voice finally spoke, we are safe. He will find you soon. Protect you.
Who will find me? Where are we? The voice didn’t answer. Suddenly, her body was on fire and pain engulfed her. Rose collapsed to the floor as she struggled to breathe through the feeling of her body being torn apart from the inside. The cold snow, feeling wonderful on her heated skin.
Her body was exhausted, her vision becoming blurry as the cold surrounded her. Her neck was still on fire as if the collar itself was a branding her skin. Soon, her body gave out and she was in darkness. All she could do was hope that whoever the voice had mentioned would actually come.
The snow finally completely cooled her, making her body numb. She just needed some sleep, that’s all she needed.
-----
A Rainstorm and mint? The scent becoming clearer as she breathed it in. It surrounded her along with an unfamiliar calm. She could feel the heat of someone touching her skin and she wasn’t frightened, in fact she wanted more. The cold must be getting to her.
She was suddenly wrapped in warmth, something gripping her tightly as the scent became stronger. Why did it smell so good. She enjoyed the feeling of being pressed against the scent, letting it over come her.
Suddenly it was gone and a new, lesser, warmth was over her, the scent dissipating. She heard a voice, the words were muffled but masculine. Rose wanted to hear more, smell more but where had it gone. Then as quickly as it had left it came back, instinctively she faced the direction of the scent as she relaxed into the new warmth.
Rose was lifted and held against the warmth and scent once more, the sound of muffled voices was all she could here, but when the one holding her spoke, she could feel his chest vibrate when he did. It was deep and commanding but she wasn’t afraid.
Softness, she was then laying in a warm softness, the same wonderful scent encompassing her as the comforting heat stroked her cheek and then it was gone. No, she wanted it back, wanting to reach for it but her body wouldn’t move. More voices and then nothing.
A woman spoke, and was tender with her, her touch reassuring her that she was in good hands. Trusting the feeling she let herself sink back in the darkness.
-------
She was back at that house, back pressed against the wall of the dungeon. Rose could feel the icy stone against her skin as she tried to disappear into it. Rouge Alpha Nix standing over her, rage seeping from him in waves as he fiddled with the handle of his silver tipped whip. His gold eyes staring into her soul.
“Did you really think you could escape me?” he said calmly, reaching for her with his free hand he gripped the collar and lifted her in the air, “You are nothing, do you understand?”
She struggled in his grip but he only chuckled, “You can’t escape me, my little rose. It doesn’t matter where you go, this,” he shook her by the collar, “means you belong to me. I decide who you serve and what you do.”
Tears began to form in her eyes as she bit her lip, determined not to cry out, that was what he wanted. He always wanted to hear them cry out. Her form was thrown against the wall and slumped to the floor landing face down.
He didn’t waste a second, the crack echoed through the walls before making contact with her back, shredding her shirt and easily cutting through her skin. Then another and another. Rose biting down on her forearm to keep from crying out, tears freely falling to the dungeon floor.
Her teeth dug deeper into her arm with each strike as he laughed, “Let me hear your cries, little rose. You know that is the only way to end this sooner.”
Suddenly someone was holding her, at first she fought back, struggling against the figure until the wonderful scent found her nose. Rainstorm and mint, a deep, masculine voice found her ears, “Hush, it’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Safe. She was safe. She wasn’t in the dungeon, or the basement, or the back of that van.
Rose quieted as she let the figure hold her, burying her face into the form, clutching it in her hands not wanting it to leave her again. She could feel its hands pulling her in tight, stroking her hair before the darkness took her again.
------
The same amazing scent was the first thing she noticed before she even opened her eyes. She could feel sunlight hitting her through a window causing her to wince. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt sunlight as she woke up. Having lived in the basement for all those years, sunlight real didn’t make it through to them.
She moved to sit up and a dull pain filled her body, but she was able to do it, bringing her hands up to rub her eyes clear of sleep. Rose stretched her arms out trying to limber her muscles, ignoring the soreness that ached them.
Opening her eyes slowly, she let them adjust to the light before taking in her surroundings. The room was large, larger than the Alpha’s room at Crescent Lake. She was currently lying on a large four poster bed, the fame made of beautiful carved dark wood that would have reached the ceiling had they not been vaulted with stunningly exposed beams, along with a headboard and footboard. Rose was covered with a navy comforter with gray sheets, the bed itself was one of the softest yet firm things she had every felt. Which explained why, not including her nightmare, last night had been the most relaxed she had slept in a long time.
The walls were a dark gray with white trim, on her left were a set of double doors and L shaped bookcase that was built into the corner of the room, its shelves filled with books and knickknacks. She had never seen so many books, it almost made her mouth drool. She had loved to read, stealing books was a rare opportunity at Crescent Lake.
Next to bookcase on the wall in front of the bed was a mounted TV bigger than she had ever seen before and under it was a fireplace with a roaring fire burning in it, the mantle filled with picture frames. On the right of the fireplace was another door. On the right wall was another door along with a large alcove. Those doors must lead to a closet and bathroom.
Within the alcove was a large full-length window was a small wooden table with two black lounge chairs on either side of it. A matching couch lay against the same wall as the bed, a large portrait hung over it. She couldn’t see what it was from where she sat.
The room was masculine and comforting she thought as she laid back down, turning to her side she instinctively reached for a pillow and brought it to her nose. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the idea that she was truly free envelope her.
Something touched her arm, causing her to look up from the pillow. A sheet of paper lay on the bed next to her. Sitting up once more she picked it up and brought it to her face. It was a note, the handwriting very smooth and obviously male.
You are safe here.
Doctor Porter will be by to check on you. Cassie will bring you meals. Please make yourself at home. Use the room as you wish.
I’ll be back soon.
Hunter
Rose couldn’t help but smile at the note, bringing it to her nose she could smell him. Hunter. The man of rainstorms and mint. That was the name of her savior. She clutched the note to her chest. Her heart was beating so fast, she was afraid it was going to explode.