Love Bites

The thrill of the hunt

His mother had taught him how to hunt , how to make the most out of the chase, and tonight he had used her teachings well. She would have been proud of him. His heart tightened slightly at the thought of his mother; he missed her, even now. Still he knew they would be reunited one day.

Cal rubbed his hand across his face, deciding on his next move. He looked down at the prey cowering at his feet. It stared back at him, wide eyed, petrified, he could feel it shaking with fear, he could hear the rapid heartbeat, but it didn't make a sound. He knew it was analysing the situation, trying to decide whether it could flee or whether it had enough energy within to fight. Cal wanted to laugh. There was no way he would let it escape now and he would undoubtedly win any fight, especially as it was wounded. It was time to put an end to the war in its eyes, leave it without any doubt as to what was about to happen to it.

Roughly grabbing her upper arm he wrenched the pathetic woman to her feet.
"Up!" He snarled, she obeyed. He knew that she was silently praying, hoping, that if she obeyed he might just let her go. They headed deeper into the woods that surrounded the town, he was looking forward to playing with his new toy. The deeper they walker, the slower she got. Cal bit back his frustration, he wanted to play but he also needed her to have some energy or the game would be no fun.
"Stop" he ordered, again she dutifully obeyed. As he stepped closer to her he took in her appearance, for a woman of her age she looked good. Her short brown, no nonsense cut was flecked with golden highlights, her eyes were a rich chocolate brown that despite her fear still held some warmth. Her body, no longer twenty year old taut, but still firm and shapely drew his eye appreciatively. As he neared her she stepped back several paces, wary of him and rightly so. He advanced another step and she mirrored his action in reverse until her back was pressed against the rough bark of an oak tree. He closed the gap between them in a nano second, her eyes widened in shock. He pressed himself flat against her, feeling her body stiffen he smiled slyly enjoying toying with her. Swiftly he scooped her up, threw her over his shoulder and with one arm clamped across her thighs sprinted through the woods to his playground.

Mast Manor stood in the shadow of the woods that had grown relentlessly since it was abandoned over a century ago. It was easy to imagine its former beauty, but time had savaged its features leaving behind a scarred and empty tomb. Cal still remembered the elegant balls held by the family who owned it, how their daughter with her doe eyes and petite figure had allowed Call to use her, how the illness that swept the country had wiped them out. Still it didn't do to dwell on history.
Though dawn was breaking the clouds overhead were churning, slate grey, ominous. Cal nimbly skirted round the fallen bricks and stone pillars, making his way indoors, he dropped the woman on the cracked marbled floor.

"Cal, you made it," a voice from the shadows said.

"I said I would Marcus," Cal replied, turning to the source of the voice. Out of the inky darkness stepped a young man, similar in height to Cal - which was distinctly average - but not as broad, whereas Cal's muscular frame pushed against the fabric of his t-shirt, his merely hung on is frame. He was fair haired and his eyes were deep blue, his pinched nose and sharp jawline made him look as though he was constantly sneering. Cal, in contrast, had a mop of chestnut hair which fell messily over his face and light green eyes that sparkled when he smiled.

"What do we have here?" Marcus asked pulling the woman roughly to her feet and inspecting her closely.

"A new toy," Cal replied.

"A new toy?" Marcus raised one eyebrow "Not your usual type Cal. Isn't she a bit old?"

"With age comes experience," Cal told his friend. He and Marcus had been friends for as long as he could remember, their families were close, so naturally they became friends, as the years ticked by they became inseparable. They were an unlikely duo, Marcus had a quick temper and a large ego, Cal on the other hand was more chilled out and didn't give a shit what people thought, though he could be a mean son of a bitch when needs be.

"Is Cassandra here?"

Marcus nodded towards a door across the large entrance hall. Cal grabbed the woman by the arm once more and dragged her with him.