The Mate of the Naga Prince

Chapter 2: When Paths Cross Again

Eleven years... Eleven years had passed. Eleven... horrible... years... And almost every day since, I have had this odd dream about a man who was half human and half snake. He was so gentle, so kind... then I awoke to my living nightmare. My mom had ran away from my father, leaving me to take his abuse. And every day, he found something to hit me over. I had bruises covering most of my skin, cuts and scabs hiding amongst the black and blue. I was constantly scratching and itching at them, tearing off the scabs and leaving scars. I slowly stand up, rubbing my sore arm as I go to the kitchen for something to eat. Dad never made food, so I basically had to make dinner every night. I look around the pantry, realizing there was nothing to eat. I sigh, closing it gently and leaning against the counter. "Scarlet!" I flinch as my dad storms down the stairs. "You slamming doors?!" (You locking doors Joseph?! You locking doors?! Lol, couldn't resist) I look at him, shaking as he advanced on me. "N-No father... I was just..." "Now you're back talking me?!" He raised his hand, the back of it colliding with my face. I fall to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks. I stare at the ground, knowing that if I stood up, he would just hit me more. I let out a shaky gasp, trying to ignore the pain. He kicks my ribs, making a sickening 'crack' on impact. I scream loudly, pain shooting through my chest and abdomen. He growls, throwing his beer bottle on the ground next to me, shattering it. "Go to your room! If I see you again tonight, I'll beat you till you fucking die!" He walks away, muttering under his breath. "Worthless piece of shit... Just like her mother..." I slowly stand up, sobbing heavily as pain spreads through my body. It was obvious he broke something, but I didn't focus on the pain. I was 17... it was an entire year till I could leave this hell hole... legally. I open the pantry again, filling my arms with as many small snacks as I could before running upstairs to my room. I pull out a bright red backpack, shoving the snacks into it  before grabbing clothes and my book, the velveteen rabbit. I zipped up the bag and walked over to the window. I look around the room, taking a deep breath before I jumped, landing almost silently on the ground below. I fight back a scream as pain shoots through me again. I take a deep breath before standing, walking down the dark streets. It was late at night, so everyone in town was asleep. I slowly walk around, holding my ribs to help calm the pain. I walked with my head down, wandering out of town. An occasional car drove by me as I walked beside the road. I continued to walk as the sun began to rise over the mountain range. I was at the edge of the forest, but I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I wrap my arms around me, hugging myself as I stared at the ground. Finally, after another half hour or so of walking straight into the forest, I look up. I couldn't help but smile. I always felt at peace whenever I went to the forest. Even now, I felt relaxed and the pain in my chest had calmed. I reach into my bag and pull out a thin blanket I had packed, laying it on the ground near an old oak tree. I lay down on it, relaxing as I stare up at the purple sky. The sun was peaking over the mountains, telling me I had walked all night. I yawn slightly, curling up as I slowly drifted off, listening to the sounds of the forest.

~???'s POV~

I stare up at the rising sun that was peaking over the mountain range, my large tail wrapping around the branch I was laying on. I let my tongue flicker past my lips, my eyes widening when I caught the scent of an unfamiliar creature. Well... It was somewhat unfamiliar. It was sweet, almost intoxicating, but it was clearly human. Humans rarely ventured so deep into my forest, in fear of getting eaten or killed, which is what always happened. I slowly sit up, smelling the air again. I turn to the direction it was coming from, which was directly below me. I knit my eyebrows in confusion, slowly traveling down the great oak tree that I lived in, using the branches as support. A small, young, female human was curled up on a gray blanket under the oak. I use my tail to hang upside down in front of her. My eyes widen as my heart stops for a moment. She was absolutely beautiful! Her long Auburn hair moved to cover her face as she shifted, whimpering softly as she held her ribs. As I admired her features, my tongue flickered out again, the sweet smell being much stronger. I had never smelled something so sickening yet so intoxicating in all my life. I continued to stare at her, the realization hitting me like a truck. "She'sssss my mate..." I whisper in shock, my hiss dragging out the s. When I was a young child, my mother would tell me when I met my mate, she (or he) would produce a sweet fragrance, drawing me to them. I smile slightly, using my tail to gently pull her off the ground. She whimpers loudly, her arm going to her chest. I give her a confused look, pulling her closer. I gently tighten my grip so I didn't drop her, a sickening cracking sound coming from her chest. My eyes widen slightly. Her ribs were broken. I felt a soft pain in my chest. I had to heal her. I slowly climb back up the oak, trying not to cause her any more pain then I had to. Once at the top, I drag her into a large burrow I had made in the trunk. I gently lay her down, my tail curling around her entire lower abdomen as my arms wrap themselves around her waist. I knew I would have to heal her ribs, but for the time being, I just wanted to hold my mate. I stare at her beautiful face, lightly playing with her hair. She stirs slightly, pulling herself closer to me. I smile slightly as I plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. She stirs again, letting out a soft moan before her eyes slowly open, locking with mine. I went to talk to her, but before I could so much as open my mouth, she let out a blood curling scream the whole forest could hear.