The Barbarian Mate [Being Edited]

Chapter 1

Althea hurriedly raced to gather her baby chicks, her heart pounding with urgency as a heavy storm raged around her. The wind howled like a wild animal, whipping her long, unkempt hair into chaos and temporarily blinding her as rain poured down in sheets. She had been meaning to get a haircut for weeks, but the relentless demands of farm life and her schoolwork had consumed her time and energy. Balancing her responsibilities was no easy feat, yet she always managed to pull through.

After a frantic struggle, Althea successfully ushered the last of the fluffy yellow chicks inside the small barn. She paused for a moment, placing her hands on her thighs to steady her breath, and glanced out toward the expansive cornfield stretching ahead. The rain fell so heavily that the landscape transformed into a blurry, white canvas, devoid of color and definition. It felt as if nature itself had swallowed the world in a shroud of mist and water.

“Good thing I bought enough groceries,” she muttered to herself, anxiety creeping in just beneath her calm facade. She had no way of knowing how long this storm would linger, and the thought of being trapped without supplies weighed heavily on her mind.

Feeling a yawn bubble up, she pushed herself to run toward the house. The muddy ground was treacherous under her feet, and she gingerly maneuvered to avoid slipping in the muck. Each careful step felt like a victory against the elements, and at last, she burst through the door.

Inside, Althea stood at the threshold, wet clothes clinging to her skin, while her mother hurried to grab a towel from a nearby rack. The warmth of the cozy home felt inviting, but she shivered slightly from the chill of her soaked attire.

“You’ll catch a cold, Althea!” her mother scolded, a frown etched on her face as she handed over the towel.

“I’m fine, Mom. I just need to get warm, and I’ll be okay,” she assured, trying to brush off her mother's worry.

“Alright, if that’s what you say. Your father is stuck with your brother at the other farm, so it’s just you and me tonight,” her mother replied, softening her expression.

“Okay. I should go change,” Althea said, a small smile creeping back onto her face, relieved at the thought of some undisturbed time with her mother.

“Yes, go ahead,” her mother responded, returning to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Althea rushed upstairs to her room, a sanctuary filled with the comforting scents of her favorite books and the faint aroma of lavender from her diffuser. The hot shower felt heavenly against her skin, washing away the chill and exhaustion. After washing her hair and slipping into a cozy pair of pajamas, she blow-dried her hair, relishing the warmth.

With her hair finally tamed and a sense of comfort surrounding her, she flopped onto her bed, clutching her latest favorite book—an adventure filled with captivating characters—and a colorful bag of Skittles. She savored each piece, knowing deep down that indulging in sugary treats before dinner was probably not the best idea, but the little thrill of secret snacking added to her excitement. It wasn't as if her mom would catch her; after all, she had managed to keep her guilty pleasure hidden countless times before.

“Althea, dinner!” her mother called out, slicing through her blissful moment. A wave of frustration washed over her; she had just begun a thrilling chapter, and now she would have to set it aside. Suspense was something she loathed, and her mother’s impeccable timing only added to her irritation.

With a resigned sigh, Althea hoisted herself off the bed, reluctantly leaving her adventure behind. She made her way downstairs for dinner, her heart still tethered to the story she had momentarily abandoned.

After dinner, she returned to her room, her stomach satisfyingly full but her mind still simmering with thoughts of the book. She brushed her teeth, inhaling the minty freshness before crawling back into bed, a blanket of anticipation wrapping around her like a cocoon. She picked up her book once more, diving back into the world of imagination, reading through several chapters before fatigue finally swept her away into the realm of dreams.

♡♡♡

Suddenly, something poked her cheek, jolting her awake. Althea swatted at it instinctively and squinted through the heavy veil of sleep enveloping her. Just as she tried to adjust, the poking continued, relentless in its persistence. Yawning widely and stretching, she rubbed at her eyes to clear her vision.

As reality settled in around her, she gasped and scrambled to her feet, her heart racing with bewilderment. The surroundings were unlike anything she had ever encountered. She was encircled by lush greenery, a vibrant explosion of colors and odd shapes.

Something nudged her leg, prompting her to look down. She jumped back in surprise at the sight of an adorable yet peculiar creature looking up at her. Its bright, curious eyes and fluffy body exuded a mix of charm and strangeness, and although it was undeniably cute, a flicker of apprehension rushed through her—what kind of danger could this creature represent?

Taking a cautious step back, she surveyed her bizarre environment. The grass was a vivid purple, stretching playfully beneath her feet, while towering trees with massive trunks loomed overhead, their branches arching like thick arms towards the sky.

The creature nudged her feet insistently, and with a deep breath, she slowly knelt down to examine it more closely.

“I don’t know where I am or what you are,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it seems like you’re my only companion here.”

The creature responded by nudging her hand gently, as if to ask for a pat. Gathering her courage, she cautiously reached out and gave it a light rub on the head, wondering if this would be a mistake.

Standing up again, she surveyed her surroundings once more. Stranded in an unfamiliar place, clad only in her pajama shirt and socks, her heart raced at the thought of potential dangers lurking in the vibrant but daunting landscape. With each passing moment, the chill of fear tightened around her, becoming an unwelcome companion in her wild, bewildering adventure.