The Unkowns

Torfus

-Chapter 9-

I watched in partial amusement, partial fear as Hunter proceeded to punch the wall repeatedly, yelling curse words that caused me to blush.

Standing still, it took every ounce of strength I possessed to refrain from touching him.

I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply to calm myself. Ever since I had arrived at this strange place I had been acting differently, and I needed to find myself again.

I was the red-haired warrior that did not cry, did not lust for men, and did not allow women to order me around.

Suddenly I felt muscled arms wrap around my waist, and a heated body pressed up against my back.

Hunter placed his chin on top of my head, drawing me even closer.

"I am in need of your assistance," he groaned, drinking in my scent.

As much as my body longed for his touch, my fiery mind could not allow for such dependence.

"Release me at once!" I demanded.

Hunter merely gathered me up into his arms, pressing me to his chest.

"I cannot! Your touch calms me, prevents me from releasing my wolf," he growled.

"I see," I squeaked.

Subconciously, I placed my hand onto his firm chest. Hunter tensed at my touch and I looked up in surprise.

His midnight eyes faded into the emerald pools that captured mine during the mating ceremony.

Pressing his nose to my neck, he sighed peacefully and released me.

"Thank you," he whispered, gratitude flickering across his face.

Then, his face hardened once more and he stalked out of the ballroom.

I sank to my knees. Emotions swirled through me, and I could not find solid ground.

Anger, defiance, shame, possessiveness, lust, and even a hint of fondness?

I did not like these uncontrollable feelings.

This dislike quickly built into fury, and my muscles itched to react.

So I ran.

Racing down the narrow hallways, I desperately searched for any sign of a door leading to the outdoors.

The further I searched, the further lost I became. Each door transformed into an identical version of the last, and they all revealed not a single glimpse of the outdoors.

My desperation grew to despair, and I came to a sudden halt.

Grasping the handle of an ancient oak door, I ripped it from the decaying wood and hurled it across the hall.

Unfortunately, I did not look to see where it was heading before I threw it, and managed to hurl a doorknob at an enormous Unknown.

"Aah!" His voice thundered in pain as it hit his thick jaw, and I cowered in fear.

This Unknown was beyond large, with legs the size of tree trunks, a staggering height that nearly reached the ceiling, and a menacing complexion. He looked as if he was in his mid-twenties, however with a size such as his one could never tell for certain.

"Who did this?" He growled, picking up the knob and twisting his head from side to side fervently.

I quickly searched for a place to hide, but when none appeared, stepped forward bravely.

"It was I," I stated proudly, without a single waver in my voice. If I was to be killed, I believed in an honorable death.

The Unknown began to laugh, a loud rumble that nearly burst my ear drums.

"What is a tiny maiden such as you doing with a door knob?" He asked after recovering.

"Do forgive me, but it is none of your business," I sniffed, disliking his reaction to my confession.

How dare he disregard me as a threat!

"Ah, I feisty woman. The were kingdom is in need of quite a few more of those," he said with a wink.

"The name's Torfus," he stated proudly and protruded a giant hand. I took it with my own hesitantly, and watched my hand disappear before my very eyes.

"Ara," I relayed after the awe of his largeness passed.

"Ara? Could it be?" Torfus gasped in disbelief.

"Pardon?" I asked, confused.

"The prophesied ruler of the Were Kingdom? The One we have been waiting for?"

I shook my head slowly, hoping that he mistook me for someone else.

"Who is your mate?" He asked suspiciously.

"I belong to no one," I snapped.

"Surely you have been to the mating ceremony?" Torfus asked

incredulously.

"I did not come to discover my mate. I am in search of my sister," I said honestly.

As enormous as Torfus was, I could sense that he was trustworthy.

"And who might that be?" Amusement flickered across Torfus' face.

"Sasha," I whispered, tears welling in my eyes at the sound of her name.

Immediately Torfus stiffened.

"Alas, 'tis you. Princess Ara, allow me to escort you to your chamber," he quickly bowed and held out his hand.

I was disgusted.

"If I am a princess than why will no one tell me the whereabouts of my sister!" I fumed, refusing his outstretched hand.

"I am afraid that I am forbidden to tell you," Torfus replied, shifting uncomfortably.

"By who?"

"This information is classified." Torfus bristled.

"Fine," I snapped. I thrust my foot at the wall, resulting in a satisfying thud.

Torfus took my arm and half-dragged me away.

"Allow me to escort you before you tear the castle apart," he jested as we walked.

"I would tear the castle apart to find my sister if I had to!" I screamed, deliberately dragging my feet behind me to slow him down.

Torfus sighed and continued lugging me to my room.

When we approached the familiar entrance, I prayed that Hunter would not be lying inside, brooding.

My prayers were not answered.

"I have brought your mate, Your Highness," Torfus said obediently and bowed.

I watched as Hunter's eyes darkened and a growl rumbled from his chest.

In moments I was ripped from Torfus' arms and securely placed behind Hunter.

"Leave immediately. And never lay a hand on my mate again!" Hunter angrily yelled, slamming the door in Torfus' face.