The Maiden and the Wolf---- *A Fantasy Romance Story*
*Chapter 12*
Dakota POV
"Dakota what's wrong?" asked Locke stopping as he realized that his companion was no longer walking by his side.
I stood frozen like a rabbit in the face of death, my eyes fixed on the inn Locke had been leading us too.
It looked so familiar, the large windows, white paint and black beams but it was the sign hanging over the door that made my head ache. It was a painting of a wolf holding a baby in its jaws, below the gruesome picture was the words 'the wolves of darkness are amongst us'.
I was defiantly sure now I had been here before and something bad had happened but I couldn't remember what it was.
"Dakota, what is it?" said Locke, touching me on the shoulder.
I jumped under his touch, "no, I'm fine, is just..." I trailed off looking back up at the sign creaking in the wind, "I've been here before."
Locke looked surprised, he followed me gaze up to the picture, "oh, I see, well we could head on and find another inn to stay at tonight."
I was very tempted by the idea but then I caught the look on Locke's face, he was in his forty's but until now he seemed younger and full of energy but now in his face half hidden by shadows he looked worn and exhausted.
I shook my head feeling guilty, "no Locke its fine, you need to rest, we'll stay here."
Locke tried to hide his relief at my words but failed as he headed towards the door of the inn his steps laboured.
Glancing once more up at the sign I followed stiff backed my shoulders squared and eyes wary.
As the door swung shut behind us I felt like my fate had been sealed, the overwhelming smell of alcohol, sweat from the many body cramped into a small place, smoke, cheap food and the hundred of emotions seeping from the everywhere each with an individual smell. The amount of noise too made my head throb as the sounds pushed down against my eardrums.
All faces had turned towards Locke and I, despite my normal boldness I felt small and weak before the mass of humanity that surrounded me.
Locke walked through the crowd to the bar, I followed close on his heals, everyone of my wolf instincts were snarling at me to bolt and find somewhere cool and dark but I remained where I was.
Suddenly I was grabbed from behind and slammed down hard on my back on a table, the breath was knocked out of me and my eyes rolled.
A huge thick-set built man stood over me, his huge hands gripping my shirt so hard his knuckles were white; his face was red with fury and alcohol, his mouth a viscous sneer.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw two more men grab Locke as he tried to get to me.
"So you dare to show your face her again do you!" snarled the man, leaning down, his breath make me choke.
"I remember you," I crooked, images flashing before me eyes, "Blake right?"
The man snarled like animal, his grip on me tightening.
"Bloody right you remember me!" Blake roared, "You killed me daughter! She was only eight years old and you killed her!"
"No I didn't!" I shouted back into his face, all my fear and nerves gone.
"You lying bastard!" he hissed, through gritted teeth, spit hitting my face, "I'll make you regret you ever came back here!"
"No, I'm going to make you regret you ever laid a finger on me and my friend!" I snarled my voice more like a wolf's growl.
