Chapter 16 #2
I land softly on the grass, the impact cushioned by my agile body.
The forest stretches out before me, dark and inviting.
I pass through the barrier and feel something vibrate around me, like a pulsing energy, but I don't stop.
I glimpse some stones with runes engraved on the ground, but I don't have time for curiosity.
If I hesitate, I'll miss my chance.
I need to find Luther. If I can get to the city and find him, maybe he'll realise who I am. Maybe he can help me.
The trees pass by me like shadows. The more I run, the more identical they all seem. I no longer know which direction I'm going, I'm lost... But I must continue, at some point I will find a way out. My breath begins to weigh heavily, I may be healed, but not one hundred percent.
Then I hear it.
A growl.
I stop instantly, my heart pounding in my ribs, my spine arching instinctively, my hair standing on end. The sound came from ahead, in the direction I'm going. I hold my breath and listen. The forest rustles, something moves. An animal. A big one.
My blood runs cold.
Memories of the monster that attacked me flood my mind.
The pain. The despair. Before I realise it, I'm running back, without looking back.
My instincts scream, my body acts on its own.
The cabin. Protection. I need to get there before it's too late.
I don't remember where I came from, everything looks the same, but I keep running towards what I think is the way back.
The stone on my collar warms against my skin, throbbing like an uneven heartbeat. With each hurried step, the frantic pulse intensifies, mirroring my own urgency.
The damp forest floor gives way beneath my paws as I run, my heart pounding against my ribs like a drum in a frenzy.
The darkness between the trees seems to close in around me, shadows dance in the corners of my vision, and the damp smell of turned earth and vegetation envelops me.
My instincts scream for me to keep going, but something ahead makes me freeze.
A deep growl cuts through all other noises, reverberating through my chest like thunder. The air seems to grow thicker. My fur stands on end. Something huge moves in the shadows, eyes glowing like embers between the trees.
And then, it emerges.
The creature is colossal, almost merging with the darkness of the forest. An elongated snout, teeth glinting between lips pursed in a silent growl.
Pointed ears stand erect, picking up every sound, every frantic beat of my heart.
The wolf-like shape dissolves as I notice the details – humanoid hands, long fingers ending in sharp claws, a presence that exudes pure predator.
It stands. Tall. Strong. A monster made for hunting.
Oh, stars, I'm dead.
My body instinctively shrinks, muscles tense, teeth clenched for a futile attack. Fear tightens my chest, the stone on the collar around my neck vibrates against my skin, accelerating as if echoing my own terror.
He's going to kill me.
Gigantic hands, filled with lethal claws, descend towards me.
But then... something unexpected happens.
Instead of attacking, instead of descending upon me with all his animal fury, a firm but careful touch lifts me off the ground.
The beast holds me against his broad chest covered in caramel fur, and the scent invades my senses—wild, earthy, with a familiar touch of something that makes me hesitate.
The growl is now not one of threat, but of protection. The claws that could tear me apart wrap around me gently. And then he speaks, his monstrous voice vibrating against me:
"Kitten..."
My tense body relaxes for a brief moment, absorbing the realisation.
Mark.
He came after me.
I should hate that the enchanted collar worked, but if it hadn't, I know whatever was hiding in the forest would have attacked me.
He holds me with one arm, keeping me steady against his chest, while he lowers himself onto three legs and sniffs the ground, then the air. Suddenly, he lets out another growl. If I thought the previous ones were powerful... this one sounds like thunder, a lethal threat.
The sound reverberates through my bones and shakes the entire forest. The trees tremble, the leaves vibrate. I hear—whatever was hiding, ready to attack me if Mark hadn't arrived—startle and flee into the darkness, branches snapping in its haste to disappear.
Mark suddenly rises and sprints with me in his arms, his quick, heavy footsteps reverberating against the ground.
The wind whips my hair as he charges forward with overwhelming force, and before I know it, we've crossed the magical barrier.
A wave of energy runs through my skin, a momentary warmth that tells me I'm back in the protection of the cabin.
Only then do I realise how much I am shaking. My heart is still racing, the adrenaline still burning in my veins. But here, in the Beast's arms, I know I am safe.
Mark transforms back into human form without letting go of me. I feel his fur disappear, giving way to warm, damp skin that smells of soap mixed with sweat. His breathing is heavy, and when he looks into my eyes, there is a mixture of anger and relief in them.
"Have you gone mad, Kitten?" His voice is tense, charged with emotion. "What if I hadn't arrived in time? What if something had got you?" His fingers tighten around me slightly before releasing, as if he is forcing himself to calm down.
He pulls me away slightly, holding me with outstretched arms, scanning every inch of my feline body with his eyes. His eyebrows furrow as if he's looking for any hidden wounds. He only relaxes when he confirms that I'm unharmed.
"I sensed when something was wrong. The spell pulled me straight to you." His jaw tightens. "You have no idea what's out there, Kitten. You could have been attacked by wolves. You were heading straight into their territory."
I shudder and a strangled sound escapes my throat.
He's still breathing heavily, and the movement of his chest, rising and falling, holds my attention irresistibly.
My eyes slide down his bare chest, following every line and curve of his muscles to his chiselled abdomen. My gaze, thirsty, takes in every detail, tracing the path of golden hair below his navel, until it gets lost in the towel still wrapped around his hips.
A sharp meow escapes me before I can stop it.
By the stars...
I begin to squirm in his hands, an instinctive need to pull away, to escape the heat radiating from his skin and the overwhelming presence of his human form.
It's too much to process. My heart is still racing with the terror of my failed escape, the echo of danger still fresh in my mind.
I don't need this damn attraction adding to the chaos.
He lets out a heavy sigh and lowers me to the floor.
"I'm going to put protective screens on the windows. I don't want to take that risk again." His tone is decisive.
I almost let out another meow, this time out of despair. But it wouldn't do any good. I can't run away. He'll always find me.
And, come to think of it... where would I go?
I've lost everything. It's too much of an illusion to think that Luther would recognise me and help me. I can't speak, I can't explain myself.
Maybe... it's better to accept it.
Here I am protected. Here I can live. Like a cat.
That's my reality now.