The Imprinted Maiden (18+)

Chapter Seven

The day had come.

One that I had dreaded for a month.

From the moment I got out of bed, I was prepared to see them pop out of anywhere, claws and teeth ready.

I resolved with kicking myself free and kept that resolve with me all throughout the day.

Mathew noticed that I was distracted while peeling the husk off of a cob and tapped me on the shoulder.

I looked at him and smiled, saying, "Sorry, just lost in thought. I'm almost done." "You know, if something's on your mind, you can always tell me right?" he said. I sighed and looked down. "Mathew," I said softly, "no matter what happens, you'll always love me, right?"

Mathew gave me a dubious look and said, "I will ALWAYS love you, no matter what. No matter if you turn into a witch, or if you die, or even if you stab me in the back. I can never hate you, sister. Not when you're the only one who's watched my back for the longest."

I almost cried. He looked so sincere.

I opened my mouth to tell him about Xain and Connor when I heard a knock at our door. Mathew got up and opened it to find one of his co-workers standing there, seemingly worried.

Mathew asked, "What is it?"

"It's the house," the co-worker said, "Part of the roof caved in, and the family is fine, but we've got to fix the roof before night settles in. Old John says that the wind is picking up, and that means a storm is coming."

Mathew sighed and turned to me apologetically.

I smiled and said, "Go on, they have a little one with them."

He nodded and walked over to me, patting me on the head.

He said, "I won't be long. Just come and get me if you need anything, you hear?"

I nodded softly and watched him go. I had no intention of leaving the house, even though I was just as vulnerable inside as I was out. I sat in the same place for a few hours, taking off husks and washing the corn off. Finally finished, I stood up and stretched, looking outside to find it dark.

'I hope Mathew is alright... Maybe Xain and Connor really did leave.'

As I set the pot above the fire, I heard a twig snap nearby the back window.

I froze, almost dropping the pot in the process. I gently placed it on the table and grabbed onto my brother's personal knife.

I took a few steps towards the back window and heard heavy breathing.

I held my breath and heard a soft growl. I then had no doubt in my mind that they were there.

And they were waiting.

I panicked, not knowing if I should try to run to my brother or stay put. I resolved to stay put, but once I heard my window open, I didn't take any chances. I opened the door and ran outside, making as much noise as I possibly could.

"Help!!! Somebody help me!!"

I heard a growl and didn't dare turn around. I knew that the moment I did, they'd be all over me in seconds. I saw a bright light up ahead and screamed out for help once more. Several villagers saw me and started to approach me.

I let my guard down for just a moment, thinking that I was safe now.

Not too long after, a pair of black claws got a hold of me and gripped me tight.

The villagers surrounded us warily with hatchets and guns, knowing that they had to be careful now that I was a captive.

I saw Mathew in the distance and screamed, "Brother!! I'm over here!!"

He ran up, pushing past villagers only to stop and look in horror and shock. I tried to squirm and get out of Xain's grasp, but he wouldn't let go. Connor shifted suddenly, and I found that he could have clothes on and shift if he wished.

He stepped forward, causing a few to back up. He then pointed at me and said, "We're not here to kill livestock or go on a murderous rampage. We only want the girl."

"Like hell you'll take her!!" Mathew snapped, taking a step forward and aiming his gun.

Connor was unmoved. "Unfortunately, you have no say in it. She's ours now, in more than one way."

A woman with short grey hair said, "You have no right to claim her like that! She's pure and innocent, not like the Devil's spawn that you are!!"

Connor flatly said, "That's not what I experienced two moons ago. In fact, she was moving her hips like she wanted it." I heard several gasps from the villagers.

"Lies," Mathew said, becoming angrier than before, "I know my sister! She'd never fornicate with monsters like you!!"

"Then ask her yourself," Connor replied.

They then looked to me.

I looked at no one but my brother. I didn't understand why Connor was saying anything about the very night I wanted to forget, but never could. Xain's grip on my wrists tightened to unbearable pressure, and I cried out and said, "I never asked for it!! I was- I just didn't believe they existed and I went out on a full moon. Please, brother, you have to believe me! I'm sorry I lied, I was too scared to tell anyone!!"

I felt like crying.

He knew. Everyone knew. And from the look on Connor's smirking face, he was enjoying their reactions.

Mathew looked at me in disbelief and confusion, as if I were some animal he had never seen before.

I said pleadingly, "Mathew, you know me. I'd never willingly do it with these animals. I was forced; I didn't have a choice."

"It really doesn't matter if she did or didn't," Connor said suddenly, "she's ours now. We've imprinted on her. Of course, we could always drop her and leave. But at this point she's about ready to screw any man who asks."

"That's not true!!" I shouted, moving about and trying to get free.

Mathew started shaking in anger and opened his mouth to say something, but a man suddenly asked, "How can we be sure that you're even telling the truth?"

I couldn't believe it.

Another added in, "The Devil has taken her. Once someone's been bonded to the animal, they can't ever come back."

"She's their pet now, just let 'em have her."

"BE QUIET, ALL OF YOU!!!"

Everyone went quiet. I held my breath, thinking and hoping that maybe he'd side with me.

He looked up at me and I smiled, but my smile quickly disappeared. He was glaring at me, almost completely. "Lyra," he said softly, although I could tell he was gritting his teeth, "I... I don't want to believe this about you. I didn't. But I saw what you did to that man." He pointed to Connor, and my heart sank.

He continued, "I thought I could trust you to tell me anything, but I guess I was wrong. It's not the fornicating I care about."

I started crying. "Mathew, please..."

He turned away and looked at the man who was in charge of the village and said, "Do what you feel you need to." Moments later, he walked off.

"Mathew!!!"

He halted only for a moment before continuing to walk away, taking a part of my heart away with him.

~

I keep these chapters decently short because why the hell not? XD Some stories get really long chapters, and some get short. Hate to disappoint, but that's how it is. However, I could lengthen them just a wee bit. I'll see what happens.

Until the next Update!

~ Nimo