Bloody Belle

Chapter 10: A Risky Ravine

~ They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. ~ Andy Warhol

(POV Belle)

Until... Until I wasn't falling anymore. I had landed safely on a small outcropping that was barely big enough to hold my frame. Farther below me though, was a raging ravine that would have surely ended my life. A flooded river tore through the ravine's heart. Looking back to where I fell from, I thought about how I would be scaling two walls in one day. If only Rosalind could have seen me. She would have had a heart attack at the mere thought of me ruining a beautiful dress. An ache settle in my chest at how much I missed my family.

A bolt of lightning cued the rain to become heavier and pound into my skin harder. I needed to get off the ledge before the rain washed me into the awaiting river.

Just like with the garden wall, this wall was a good two or three feet above my head. I knew jumping would not work, but I had nothing to give me extra height. It was my only option. I held my breath as I took a literal leap of faith that surprisingly ended with my hands curling into the soft grass of the meadow floor. I had heaved myself half way out before the flimsy grass gave way within my hands, and I was thrown back onto the ledge. My back slamming into the platform caused the whole thing to shudder. Chunks of earth crumbled and fell into the rushing waters below. That could have been me.

Trying to be more careful the next time, I pushed my foot against the wall to try and propel myself further over the edge. My hand grasped a root instead of only grass. It took all of my strength, but I managed to drag my body onto the muddied carpet of grass.

I laid on my back to catch my breath as my muscles burned and ached. Rain continued to come down in waves against my face.

Movement in a nearby shrub sent me whirling to my feet in a flurry of water droplets and mud. Nothing exited the bush and tried to kill me, but I couldn't help but feel like there was something stalking me from beyond. With my skin prickling, I quickly picked my way through the rest of the meadow and back into the "safety" of the forest. I feared that I would never truly be safe again.

~~~~~

(POV Adam)

My little mate was drenched head to toe in muddy water. Her dress was torn and she had managed to lose a slipper, but she stood ready to run at the slightest threat. Belle really was like a little rabbit as her brown eyes grew round at the shuffling noise I had made. She flew from the scene before I had the chance to check her for bodily harm.

Tal appeared beside me, his hair wet from the rain that had ceased moments before. He looked after Belle, "Is the clumsy one a new recruit?"

I shook my head, "Only a visitor."

He looked confused, "There are never visitors to the castle." He had stated it like absolute fact. There was the occasional passersby to the estate, but the pups were always kept out of sight with Valerie serving as the resigning Lady.

"She's a part of Seron's plan as we all are." I entered the meadow and began to follow Belle's winding trail. She could move quite fast when determined to flee.

Tal stayed by my side, and although he was curious he kept silent. That was the thing with the young Murr, he was always silent.

We came to a little hill where Belle had obviously tripped and rolled its entire length. I needed to find her before she seriously injured herself. Then her scent grew incredibly strong. We were close.

Turning to Tal I said, "Head back to the estate and get some dry clothes on." Belle did not need to see his stark white hair, which was a dead give away of his species, even if she would not know the meaning of it.

He nodded in compliance before disappearing back into the forest.

I found my Beauty huddled behind a log, cradling her ankle which had a deep gash running through it. A few tears had unknowingly streaked their way down her reddened cheeks. My heart clenched at how she shivered in her mud soaked dress. Her head jerked up when she heard my approach.

A whimper slipped past her lips as she involuntarily tightened her grip on her injured ankle. "Belle," I whispered while kneeling beside her.

"I don't need your help." she snapped back heatedly. A tiny, but still there, fire burned in her eyes.

I leaned forward anyway and pushed her hands away from the wound. There were eight of them. Each one was jagged and profusely bleeding despite her best efforts to stop it.

With a hiss she shoved my hands away, "I said I did not need your help!" Tears sat in her eyes, but she refused to let anymore fall.

"What did this?" my voice had darkened to a growl that I knew would scare her but could not help it.

This was no accident. Someone had hurt my mate.

~~~~~

(POV Belle)

The way Lord Chanteloup was looking at me made me want to shrink away and hide, but I was determined to stand my ground. "A trap," I complied when I started to lose feeling in my toes.

His light blue eyes turned a shade darker. "Where?" he demanded in the same tone as before.

"I'm not sure, somewhere over there." I pointed to the way I had came from, "I'm sure if you follow the blood you will find it." The hard line of his mouth softened, but the ice remained solid in his eyes. His hands pushed under my shivering frame, lifting me from the ground. "What are you doing?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.

"I am taking you to the infirmary."

I tried to get free causing my ankle to protest greatly, "I am not going back with you!"

Lord Chanteloup's gaze shot to mine, "Why?"

"Because you kidnapped me!" I stated, taken aback, but still trying to be set free.

His mouth opened, then closed. He knew there was no excuse to be made. "We all have a part to play." he said at last as if he was trying to convince himself more than me.

We all had a part indeed.

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A/N

As you can see, Adam's favorite little princess didn't fall into the abyss of death. ;) A new face was introduced in this chapter as will a few more in coming chapters. I'm excited to finally get everyone in the story!

And, as always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you next one!!

Song: Come with Me Now by Kongos

~Alexis :3