The Unkowns

The Marking

-Chapter 15-

I awoke to the sound of snarls. Instinctively, I hurled myself into a defensive position and reached behind me for my nonexistent bow and arrows.

All went silent.

Hunched over, I stilled my body movements completely and listened. A twig cracked and soon I was faced with four enormous wolves.

A small cry of shock flew from my mouth and I backed up, my back hitting a tree.

"S-stay back," I stuttered, attempting to muster up courage.

One of the wolves, the largest with a red-tinted coat, stepped forward and snarled. I flinched but recovered quickly, giving him my best glare.

My eyes darted to the left and right, searching for an escape route, but the wolves must have noticed because they closed in around me.

They made no love to attack, yet circled so closely that I could feel their hot breath against my skin. I whimpered, unable to predict their next move.

Suddenly the red wolf leaned forward and licked my face, a grin spreading across his lips. I giggled, shocked. The wolf then continued to examine every inch of my body, sniffing carefully with his large wet nose.

Then he stiffened.

His beautiful golden eyes darkened, and he snarled, snapping in my face. I yelped and scrambled to my feet, planning on running away. I had forgotten then I was surrounded, so soon I was snapped at by a smaller grey wolf.

I had nowhere to turn, so I curled up into a ball at the base of the tree and awaited my death. Rather than be frightened by the possibility of death, anger coursed through me at the thought of a bunch of animals bringing death upon me.

"If only I had my bow," I whispered, and heard the snarls of the entire pack of wolves.

I sat curled up into a ball for what seemed to be hours. The wolves never left my side, and I could feel their wary gazes on my back. For one of the first times in my life since Sasha was taken, I was afraid.

I lifted my head to see if the wolves still lingered, and the red wolf growled and slashed his paw across my cheek. I hissed in pain, wishing I could retaliate yet too frightened to move.

The wolves suddenly grew agitated, and I could hear the sound of shuffling and snarls. Not wishing for another injury, I curled into myself even further and listened, horrified, as they seemed to be tearing each other apart. Whines, screams, and grunts could be heard, and then silence. I shivered, too frightened to lift my head.

Tingles raced down my spine and I mewed in pleasure, feeling strong arms lift me up and away from the wolves.

Safety.

That was what I felt in Hunter's embrace, and I could not get enough of it. Throwing my arms around his neck, I buried my face into his shirt and breathed in his scent.

"Never leave me again," he growled, and I could feel his chest rumble.

I nuzzled further into him and nodded.

Satisfied, Hunter began to purr as if he were a kitten. I looked up in surprise, and Hunter's eyes widened at the sight of my cheek.

"Who did this to you?" He yelled.

"The wolves," I whispered, shivering at the thought of them surrounding me.

Hunter cursed under his breath.

"Quick we must depart. They will have sent for their Alpha by now." And with that Hunter carried me all the way back to the castle.

As we walked I breathed in his scent and attempted to calm myself. Taking in his woodsy scent, comfort filled me and I began to become quite drowsy. I burrowed myself into Hunter's warmth and my lids closed, not even opening at the sound of Hunter's rumbling laugh.

"Good, little mate. You should be comforted by my presence."

I awoke to a growling stomach and soft sheets. Sighing, I sat up and stretched my arms. My face burned, and when I touched it I felt a sticky substance. Wincing in pain, I ran over to the mirror and picked it up, holding it up to my face.

I gasped when I saw the ugly red slash down my face. The feelings of fear returned and I whimpered, unable to tear my eyes from the sight.

Hunter came bursting into my chamber with a plate of bread and cheese. In his haste he did not hold the plate steady, so the bread crumbled to the floor and the cheese flew onto my bed.

"What's wrong?" He cried, frantically looking left and right for signs of danger.

Seeing his disgruntled face lifted my spirits and I began to laugh, tears pouring down my face. Hunter looked at me in confusion as I continued to hysterically giggle as if I had drank too many goblets of wine.

A small smile reached Hunter's face and he bent down to pick up the food. Placing it in my hands, he urged me to eat. I quickly shoveled the bread and cheese down my throat.

"I shall leave so you may dress and wash up," Hunter said abruptly, backing out of my chamber.

I could hardly remember the last time I had washed, so I slipped off my gown and filled a basin with water. The brisk chill of the water caused me to shiver and I washed quickly, eager to dress.

Once I had finished I searched my chamber for clothing only to find none. I could hear knocking at my door so I quickly pulled the blanket off of my bed and wrapped it around my body.

"I am not decent!" I attempted to yell, but it was far too late.

Hunter came bursting into my chamber, furious.

"The wolves that attacked you yesterday have returned. Their alpha has taken an interest in you and demands that I formally introduce you to him," he huffed, a dangerous glint in his eye.

As his words sunk in, fear slowly crept into my stomach. Another angry Unknown? If he was anything like the wolves that attacked me yesterday then he was bound to be frightening.

Panic overtook me and I ran to Hunter, longing for the safety of his embrace.

Hunter noticed my inappropriate attire and stiffened.

Folding myself into his arms, I did not even realize that I was still wrapped in a blanket.

"Ara, there is something I must do," Hunter whispered in my ear carefully.

His warm breath touched my cheek and I shivered in delight, resting my head on his broad chest.

"Then do it," I replied happily.

"You mustn't hold me like this...or I might lose control of myself and do something I shouldn't," Hunter growled, pushing me away.

"Lose control?" I asked, alarmed. Searching his face for answers, I saw the glittering lust within his eyes.

"In order to protect you I must mark you as mine," Hunter said, ending the word "mine" with a purr.

I gasped in horror and backed away from him.

"You have already married me without my permission. How dare you say that you must 'mark' me? Whatever does that even mean?" I yelled indigently, placing my hands on my hips.

"It means that I claim you as my mate," Hunter whispered huskily, and immediately my emotions took hold of me. Shivers racked my body and I unconsciously licked my lips, images far too bold to even mention raced through my mind.

Why was I reacting so strongly to such words?

The thought caused me to narrow my eyes in suspicion, but when Hunter drew nearer with lust evident on his face, my body took over and stubborn Ara disappeared.