"Climb on, we will get to my home much faster than walking." I could understand him? Was I really dead? Could I be in a coma? I knew I hit my head but my butt broke the fall.
"Hurry, as I said before the forest is dangerous." He walked over and slid my hand against his fur. It was as smooth as silk, as thick as the forest around us. Well, when in Rome as they say.
I jump on to his back as he kneels, moving my hands through his fur. He is beautiful as a man and a wolf. I wonder what beasts live in the forest at night?
"May i ask your name?" Caught in my trance I come back to reality as he starts to run fast through the trees, dodging every one of them.
"Allia.. Yours?" His voice was as masculine as his looks. Deep and filled with authority. I wonder if he has a pack. Doesn't wolves have packs?
"Benjamin but my mother calls me Ben," he talks about his mother and his brothers as I listen and watch as we keep flying through the forest. A blur of brown and green as his legs move faster and faster.
Before I know it we arrive to a small village. Houses made of mud, logs, and vines line the outer edge of the village. We come to a halt and I fly forward, forgetting to hold on. I land on my hands, catching myself before my face hits the rocks and dirt.
"I'm so sorry. I should have slowed down!" Benjamin has already shifted back into his human form aiding me to my feet. I just smile and apologize for being spaced.
"Your village is beautiful. How many live here?" I look out as small eyes find mine and I hear soft giggles. Children are always so curious.
"There's about 100 of us now. Before you meet everyone I should warn you that you will stick out some." He pulls me close and looks deep into my eyes.
"W.. Why.. Why is that?" I stutter my heart beating from my chest. Why did he have to be so handsome?
"There are only 5, including you, young maidens in our village.. You see females are not as plentiful as males are. Especially with your beauty the males here will do anything to win your hand." His hands snaking around my waist as he pulls me closer into him. My hands slide up his arms as I hold eye contact. This man is gonna be the death of me.
I swallow softly and choose my words carefully, "is that why you said I was yours? What did you mean by unmarked?" Before I know what I'm doing my hands rake his hair. Soft and vibrant, there's not another man like him where I'm from. Not even the college Prince could compare. Father, I'm sorry but I don't want to leave.
"All in good time, come let's get some meat in you." His hands unwind from my waist and grab my hand as he pulls me into the village. As we walk I see more handsome men building a few houses, playing some kind of games, carrying baskets of grass and meats. No one notices us until a small boy runs to my feet.
"WOW! You are beautiful! My names Bing! Want to play?" Before I can reply I start to hear soft whispers and conversations all beginning with 'Look at her! Do you think she's marked? No way is she Benjamin's! I'd fight for her.' More and more, and I could feel Benjamin's hand gripping harder and harder.
Before long a man around Benjamin's age stops him and smiles. "Where did you find her?" I could feel the tension build as he didn't wish to answer.
"She belongs to me. I rescued her. Back off." Testosterone building between the two as their passing contest was about to start.
"She is unmarked. You gonna mark her? If not let a real wolf show her whats to come." His smile turned into one I've seen on the guys at school when they watch me in kick box class or in swim club.
"Fuck off.. I belong to no one but myself" I growl back taking my hand from Benjamin. No way would I let a man use my body for their own selfish act. I was a warrior not a damsel in distress.
"You got some fire, I like that. I bet you love it rough." He moved closer as others gathered in awe and lust. I knew men like him all my life. It's just a pretty face you animal. Benjamin let out a growl and it only made the rivals smile wider.
I took a step forward, if im gonna die I will die with courage. "Oh I love it rough, but not with a man like you." My words stinging his ego like a scorpion stinger to the hand.
"Benjamin I think she might be to much for you. If you ever wish to trade" then he looked into my eyes "or you want some real fun, come find me." He smiled again and walked off, mumbling and punching a guy that was laughing at him for being turned down. Fucking men.
"Allia let's go." Benjamin grabbed my arm and pulled me along as more of the men tried to talk to us.
Finally, we made our way to a small hut with white babys breath hanging from the door way.
"The white flowers are luck they also smell nice", opening the door and forcefully pushing me inside I took a deep breath. This wasn't good. If the men here acted like that jackass could Benjamin be just as deadly?
"I won't hurt you I swear. Matthew thinks he's so amazing because his daddy is our chief but none of the females here will mate with him. What he deserves." I look out the make-shift window and see the sun setting over large mountains. The sky was ignited with burnt orange, deep pink and purples, leading into a dark blue and black. Night time is always so beautiful and peaceful.
"Benjamin, why so the men here treat me differently? They look at me as if I was a freak." I look over as he is stocking the fire and softly blowing the embers to catch it once more.
"You are unmarked, and beautiful. You aren't like other females. You stood up to him and didn't cower away. That took courage. What are you exactly?" What was I?
"uh I'm human?" Was that not something around here?
"Is that a form of bear? You have that strong spirit of the bears." I smiled and shook my head. I walked over and helped put wood on the fire and assist with dinner.
"No, I'm not from a bear but I've been told I fight like a grizzly," I chuckle at his expression. confusion plaguing his beautiful face. I chuckle again and remove my jacket. I look down before realizing he had on a sort of animal toga.
"Does everyone here wear stuff like this?" I ask, gently pulling on his clothes.
"Yes, ua males hunt and make clothes for the females and young ones." I look into his eyes and see he's looking down at my chest. I roll my eyes.
"Hey eyes up here killer," I reach up and pull his chin to where his eyes meet mine. The fire in his eyes reignite and I feel his gaze growing as lust is taking over.
"Um so what are we gonna eat?" I ask trying to break whatever thoughts he had forming. It didn't work as he crawled slowly in my direction, holding my gaze. Fuck. Fuck! Think of something.
"I.. I don't think I'm ready for this" my words barely a whisper.
"I'll be gentle. I wish to mate with you Allia.." His husky voice dripping with lust. Oh gods, I don't know if I can stop this.
"You want us to do what?" I ask again slowly backing using my hands to back away.
"Mate. I want to mate with you. I want to make you mine. Have you had your estrus yet?" What? I can't think clearly.
"My what?" I have backed into a wall and can feel my body shivering. Im going to lose my virginity to a man I don't know. Father, don't hate me but I don't know how much more I can take.
"Estrus, where you bleed for 5 to 8 days and after you may mate and give birth." My period? Menstruation? What the fuck? I've been doing that since I was 12.
"Uh, yes.. I do that once a month. Why?" I can tell my words hit a chord as he stopped and a serious look crosses him.
"No, females can only do that once a year. You must be mistaken." Finally some clarity is reached in me and I come back to my senses.
"Not me. I can fall pregnant at anytime through the year.." I look back and see the confusion leave and joy take over. Why is that a good thing? Why is he smiling? You mean we can have pups at anytime and as many as we wish?" Pups? Hold up.
"Wait. Wait. Look you're gonna have to wait on the whole impregnation thing. I hardly know you and I will be dammed if you think you can just take my body whenever you damn well please." That did it. I am no one's play thing. I am no ones toy. I am not a baby factory. I am stronger than those other hoes at school. My body is my own.
"I didn't mean to make you mad, please understand." My rage was tipped over. Didn't mean to make me mad? what more did I need to understand??
"Fuck you, you want me to do what? Lay beneath you? Bow down to you? I'm grateful you rescued me but my body is NOT yours to take!" My voice was louder than ever and I knew the other men could hear me.
"Maiden, Allia, please I would never.. I just thought that is what females wanted to hear." Fear was in his eyes. Has a woman never raised her voice to him?
"Okay okay I'm sorry. Just don't do that. I get enough of that shit where I'm from." I sit back down and grumble another sorry as he moves back to the fire and roasts some sort of leg for us to eat.
Father, I miss you. I hope you miss me too.