The Original

Chapter Three: Mate Bond

Rieka paced the forest, her legs pushing off the ground at a speed she had never reached before. She could feel her territory being reclaimed by the humans around her small home. Loneliness mocked her, the sounds of human conversations traveling deep into the forest.

Foam dripped from her snout, a fresh coat of blood tainting her fur. Rabbits chased after each other, each one pushing the other to run faster than her. A single grey rabbit limped, Rieka's sharp teeth sinking into the leg. The beast growled in satisfaction, shaking her prey side to side in hopes of stunning the small creature.

Blood oozed onto the ground, Rieka ravishing her meal in contempt. In the distance branches snapped, alerting Rieka to the presence of an intruder. Her body shook in anger, the bones in her body rapidly breaking into their human form.

Howls of pain turning to human screams, Rhea clinging to the dirt below her body in an attempt to tolerate the shift. Blood painted her skin, leftover meat of the rabbit scattered below her body, the sight making her stomach twist. Pained sobs left her cracked lips, panic setting in at the sound of footsteps nearing her.

Firm, pale hands lifted her up. The familiar scent of the intruder calming her. "Everything is going to be okay."

Rhea lifted her eyes, meeting the ocean blue eyes that continued to haunt her dreams. Abraxas' hair laid tousled, the golden streaks brightening in the light of the sun. Black clothing clung to his body, a leather jacket framing his broad shoulders. His eyes held an unreadable expression, the tenseness in his body disappearing at the sight of Rhea's tears.

"What are you doing here?" She found the strength to whisper, her bloody hands staining the blue dress that covered her body.

"I thought about what you said," a long sigh left his plump lips. "You shouldn't be alone when transitioning into your wolf."

"Transitioning?" Rhea frowned, pushing herself away from Abraxas. "I've been going through this since the age of ten."

Abraxas searched her eyes for lies, fisting his hands into the pockets of his joggers. "You aren't supposed to shift at the age of ten."

"I did!" Growled Rhea, her eyes glowing a deadly gold. "I felt every bone in my body break for hours. I pleaded to a false god to end my punishment. I was chained to a tree to keep this thing inside me from ripping my parents apart!"

"I'm sorry." The blue eyes softened, guilt swirling in them for a second. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "I wish I had found you sooner."

Rhea could feel Rieka give in to his guilt, the beast calling out in comfort and pain at the apology. A wave of rage washed over Rhea, failing to understand the sudden shift in Rieka's personality. Her bare feet backed away from Abraxas, needing distance between.

"I don't need your help!" She paced, her nails shifting into the ones of her beast.

"Little wolf," The gentle call of Abraxas, luring her to listen to him. His hands reached out in an attempt to hold her up. A warning growl from Rhea stopped his movement. "You are losing control. I need you to think of something that makes you happy. Anything."

Rhea growled, her once chocolate eyes replaced by golden orbs. Moans of pain vibrated her body. She could feel Rieka fight for control. The ground beneath her trembled, her world collapsing at the war inside her body. Her vision blurred, the vision of her wolf aiming to replace her own.

"I have nothing." Rhea cried, canines deciding from the darkness. Her knees gave out and sending her crashing to the forest floor.

"You do! Think of anything, Little wolf." Abraxas remained still, his desperate pleas causing more distress in Rieka. "Listen to the sound of the forest, focus on everything you hear."