The Unkowns

Sasha

-Chapter 1-

"Don't leave me Sash," I pleaded as she gathered her things. Every possession she owned fit loosely into her small burlap sack.

"You know I have no choice," she replied, carefully avoiding my gaze. Slipping the sack over her shoulder, her eyes swept across our cozy little cottage one last time. I allowed my eyes to wander as well, drinking in the sturdy cot we always shared, the brick fireplace where we spent many nights laughing and sharing bedtime stories. The dent in the wall caught my eye, and the memory of our childish attempt to carve our names into the hard wood caused a wistful smile to appear on my face.

Oh, how I longed for the days when Sasha and I could play all day long without a care in the world!

"I know," I whispered, my eyes brimming with tears. Sasha was more than a sister to me, she was my best friend and confidant. Losing her would mean losing everything, and the thought crushed me to pieces.

"Stay here, Ara. I do not want you to cause any trouble," Sasha firmly stated, interlacing her famous warning tone into her voice. Sasha could make the strongest pine bend to her will, so as soft-spoken as she normally was not a single villager crossed her. I, on other other hand, had a fiery temper which many enjoyed to flare for their own entertainment. This is why Sasha knew better than to let me near The Unknowns; I tended to lash out violently against those that hurt my family.

"Sash?" I cried out desperately as she turned to leave.

"Yes, Ara?"

"I-I love you," I whispered and ran into her warm embrace. Tears began to stream down her face as she held me close. Not wanting to see her cry, I gripped Sasha tighter and vowed to never let her go.

"I'm scared Ara," she mumbled ashamedly into my tangled orange locks.

"Let me walk with you," I begged, knowing that my presence would comfort her.

"Fine," she whispered and pulled from our embrace, taking my hand.

We walked silently down to the town square, hands clung to each other for dear life. Nine other girls stood huddled around the well in the center of the village, whispering words of comfort to one-another.

I watched as Sasha joined them, grasping the hand of a girl that had begun to shake in fear. Feelings of pride and love swelled inside of me to see my sister placing others before herself, even though she was terrified.

Growing up I had been jealous of Sasha's kind-hearted nature. Everyone in the village seemed to love her and hate me. Now, I see Sasha as the water to my fire, the only person that can calm my wild nature and show me how to love. And that person is now leaving me.

Typically the pain was too great for families to watch their daughters be taken away, so the village square would be empty save for the women of eighteen years. I, however, am an exception since I know that Sasha needs all the support she can get.

Our mother bore us before she was taken, and after our father realized she was never coming back he committed suicide. That was when Sasha was nine and I was seven, and we have taken care of ourselves ever since. It was definitely hard on us, but since they passed away when we were so young it was easier to accept life for what it was and move on. Sasha had a much harder time than I did, though, and became dependent on those around her. If she did not have her loved ones by her side she went into a state of depression.

We waited anxiously until Thora spotted a man with hair black as night appear from the side of the mountain.

The Unknown sent to Thorn was a burly man of twenty with blazing blue eyes. Coming to a halt in front of us, his bulging muscles rippled and I gasped at how dangerous he appeared.

"I have come to take you to my land. Mating season is approaching, so you will be presented at the full moon and must stay for a week's time so that you might find your mate. Let us begin our journey," The Unknown said with a tone of boredom.

He looked around for any signs of opposition, but when his eyes met my sisters he gasped.

"Mine," He growled powerfully, and stalked over to her. Sasha squeaked in fear and backed away, her palms raised. The Unknown snarled ferociously and hugged her to his chest.

"Sasha!" I screamed, running for her. I was stopped by a large body blocking my path.

"You did not receive permission to go anywhere near my mate," The Unknown hissed, and I struggled to get past him. He had protectively placed Sasha behind his back so I could not get to her.

"Sasha is not your anything! She is my sister and you cannot take her away from me!" I desperately fought, but to my dismay The Unknown had far more strength than I could ever possess.

"She is my mate, my love, and my everything. Therefore she belongs to me and I shall do with her what I wish," he snarled and shoved me to the ground.

As I fell, my head hit the rocks hard, and the last thing I remembered was the faint noise of Sasha screaming my name.