The Barbarian Mate [Edited]

Chapter 2

Althea found herself standing in a vast, sunlit clearing, surrounded by towering trees swaying gently in the breeze. She stood at a fork in the path, her heartbeat quickening as she faced two diverging trails that seemed to beckon her forward. Each path held the promise of adventure, but also the threat of danger. She knew that the choices she made could lead to unexpected outcomes, both good and bad.

As she hesitated, lost in thought, her furry companion-a small, curious creature with bright eyes and a fluffy tail-began sniffing around excitedly. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, it darted down the path to her left.

"Hey, where are you going?" Althea called out, her voice a mix of worry and intrigue. The creature paused, glancing back at her as if to say, "Come on, let's go!" It gently nudged her with its snout, encouraging her to follow.

Althea bit her lip, a wave of anxiety washing over her. This could be a bad idea, she thought, weighing the risks. But after a moment of contemplation, she gathered her courage and decided to follow. She reminded herself to stay alert, keeping her ears tuned for any unusual sounds that might signal danger.

After trudging along the path for what felt like an eternity, with no food or water to sustain her, fatigue began to settle heavily in her limbs. The ground felt uneven beneath her feet, and her head spun slightly.

"I'm tired," she admitted, finally succumbing to exhaustion. She chose a patch of soft grass and sank down to sit, taking deep, deliberate breaths to calm her racing mind and steady her heart. The coolness of the earth beneath her offered some respite, and for a moment, she felt a sense of peace wash over her.

Regaining her composure, Althea got to her feet, glancing around at the dimming light as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Shadows began to stretch across the ground, and an unsettling thought crossed her mind: it wouldn't be smart to be out here after dark, yet she had no idea where to seek shelter.

With a heavy sigh, she tilted her head back to gaze at the sky. The vast expanse sparked feelings of nostalgia as she missed the comforts of home-the warmth of her bed and the familiar chest filled with her favorite junk food. Although she lived on a farm, her experiences with nature had been limited. She had never participated in hiking or camping, and the thought of spending the night in the wilderness felt daunting.

She realized she wasn't particularly adept at navigating the natural world.

Just then, her furry friend shot back to her side, seemingly having gotten distracted and wandering off while she had been resting.

"Where did you go?" she asked, surprised to see it return.

The creature playfully grabbed the hem of her pajamas with its tiny teeth and tugged at her, clearly intent on leading her somewhere.

"What is it?" Althea inquired, curiosity piquing her interest.

The little ball of fur, despite its small stature, exhibited surprising strength as it pulled her along. Trusting her instincts, she decided to follow it; after all, it had proven to be trustworthy up to this point. Still, doubt lingered in her mind about whether it was wise to follow such a peculiar creature.

As they ventured further, her furry companion navigated her through the underbrush and brought her to a clearing that opened up unexpectedly into a bustling camp. Althea was taken aback by the scene before her; groups of people gathered around a fire, their laughter echoing in the tranquil evening air. They passed around food, and the rich scent wafted toward her, making her stomach growl with hunger. Most of the camp's occupants were men, but she could spot a few women among them, their hearty laughter blending seamlessly with the ambiance.

Without hesitation, her furry friend bounded ahead, yapping excitedly as it approached the campers. The men, amused, offered the creature bits of food, and with a triumphant leap, it returned to Althea, tugging at her pajamas once more and dragging her into the view of the campers.

The lively scene went abruptly silent as every pair of eyes turned to scrutinize her tiny frame. Standing in stark contrast to them, she suddenly felt like a mere child among giants.

Her furry friend dashed around her legs, still yapping, while Althea stood frozen in awkwardness.

"A female!" shouted one of the men, eliciting cheers from the group. Althea's heart raced; her eyes widened in panic as two incredibly large women broke away from the crowd, striding towards her with purpose. Her instincts screamed at her to flee, and without a second thought, she turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, her socks covered feet pounding the earth.

Screams of terror erupted from her lips as she raced through the camp, the women hot on her heels.

"I'm not going down without a fight!" she thought fiercely, adrenaline surging through her veins.

"Manere! Non nocebimus tibi!" [Wait! We won't hurt you!] one of the women called out, her voice a commanding melody amid the chaos.

Althea risked a glance back. The chase seemed to have stopped; there was no one behind her anymore. She gradually slowed down, her breath coming in quick, ragged gasps, still wary of her surroundings.

Leaning against a sturdy tree, her heart thundered in her chest, the remnants of flight still pulsing through her. She had never experienced such a rush of speed and fear before.

Suddenly, a firm grip clamped down on her shoulders. She yelped in surprise as the two muscular women stood directly in front of her, their presence imposing.

"We don't hurt," one woman said soothingly, drawing closer as she placed a hand gently over Althea's mouth to stifle her scream. "We're good."

Althea studied their faces, which were strong and kind in an unconventional way. They were built like athletes, with bodies that seemed shaped by both strength and resilience. Though she felt certain that bodybuilders didn't exist in her world, she recognized that these women were simply different-a fact that both intrigued and frightened her.