Roman

Running through the main hall of the Welsh castle, heart pounding, vision blurring from the speed of her legs pumping; all she wanted to do was find safety. Safety from her own feelings, desires and wants. Flashes of green and turquoise dotted her eyes, capturing the decadent walls in fragmented spurts. Moving faster now as a roar reverberates off the walls distantly sending delicious shivers down her spine. Every now and again gold glitters would bounce from the high ceilings, but there was no time to stop and admire the hand painted murals that covered the entire expanse of each and every twisted corridor that Francis' feet pattered through. Though she had the legs of an Olympic champion, strong and lean, she knew he was faster, stronger and more dominant.

    The smell of the male who was in pursuit clung to her body like a cold sweat. Making any denial of what nearly just happened impossible. Getting caught up in her memories, Francis began to realise that running was futile. This was his territory, his home and kingdom. Though her lungs were burning Francis decided to push on one last time before her heat could get the better of her, grabbing a random door she pushed whilst praying it would open. Today it would seem her prayers were answered as the large oak door that would be impossible for a mortal to even budge granted her access. Trying to slow her breathing Francis was wild eyed. With her back against the wall she took a moment to ponder the scene in front of her.

    The first thing she notices is the colour of the champagne walls, the room is of a large size with Greek columns creating hiding space in it. To the front of her is a bed laden with thick covers of a golden colour, velvety soft and easily big enough to fit a whole harem of women. Anger and jealousy burst defiantly through her head like a knife to the temple, gasping she stumbled forwards reaching out for something to stop her from falling and losing control over to her wolf. She doesn't want to feel like this, Alexander is not to be her lover. He represents everything she doesn't want to have. He wants to dominate, own and control all of those around him. Despite her emotional turmoil, her body does not resist the pull, and an aching in her core begins to build burning her body like a furnace. Francis wills herself forward, slower now that the pain of fighting her heat is fogging her brain once more. Though she is still dimly aware that somewhere within this foreign place Alexander is storming a rage in attempt to re capture what he considers his, she still continues on. Searching the expanse on this large room, her feet echo like water droplets as she peeks her eyes around the closest column. Startled, she jumps back, stifling a scream. Before realising that it is only her own wild features staring back at her from the mirror.
     Dark red curls spiral everywhere reaching a few inches past her shoulders, her chest is visibly reddened from the physical exertion. Buzzing green eyes with heavy lashes pierce back at her, for the first time in a long time full of fear and something else she can't quite recognise. Moving towards the white marble vanity table in front of the mirror Francis touches her face. Her plump lips are a darker red than normal, puffy from being almost claimed without consent. Her cheeks are also flushed, which slightly covered the spray of light freckles on each of her high cheekbones. Her fingers groove over the faint bruise that is developing on her neck. Never had a male dared to lay a hand on her before and the shock of what had just happened caused her to slump into the vanity stool in this unknown room. Wrinkling her nose, Shia, Francis's wolf shines through. Changing her eyes from green to gold, excited, conflicting with her human counterpart as she can sense her mate frantically running closer. There is no time for Francis to regain control as the heavy door opens, blasting plaster from the perfect walls of what Francis had thought was her temporary sanctuary.

   Pitch black eyes met her golden globes through the mirror. A low growl reverberated through Alexander. Francis couldn't help but notice that his strong jaw jut out, daring her to run. His broad muscled chest moved up and down from all the energy he'd used. Striding towards her his skin shook as he fought to remain in control. Reaching almost 6 foot 4 meant that Alexander easily made his way across the room in a few strides. He stopped just before Francis's body. Nostrils flared, breathing in what was his. "You belong to me, you will want me. You will be mine. I will know your name and you will scream mine." He growled coming closer, reaching down with every word.

   Francis had never felt this powerless before. She had been in hiding as a rogue, ostracised from the main Seven leading Packs in Wales for the last five years ever since she had reached breeding age at 18. She was used to fending for herself and answering to no one. Living alone had taught her many things, to hunt, to build and to survive. However, living alone had not prepared her to meet her mate. As she pondered, she realised that she had not replied, Alexander was nearly close enough to kiss her. A clatter of ornaments fell to the ground and she frantically tried to retreat. Speaking for the first time and regaining control back from Shia. She meant to roar but it was more of a squeak, "No!" Just as her eyes turned once again back to their green depths.

   Speaking had meant she needed to breath and with Alexander being so close it meant her nose was immediately assaulted with his masculinity, he smelled like the forest. Hints of pine and oak mixed together with something she couldn't put her finger on. All tangible thought were cut off as her heat rose once more. Causing her to cuss and reach forward gripping the hard and hot shoulders of her kidnapper, whimpering for him to help her. The last thing she felt before unconsciousness claimed her was sparks all over her all at once. Then nothing, her head gently hitting the champagne sheets. Electrifying fingers smoothed her hair from her face as she sighed, defeated.
"Sleep." He commanded.