OF BEAUTY AND BEASTS

SAVIOUR

"If you don't stay back.... I'll-I'll-- SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEE!!!" I screamed as I broke through the whipping libs and sharp-tipped grass of the wilderness. The pack of wolves behind me still hadn't let up. I moved rapidly through the thickets as they breathed close on my tail.
A boisterous thud sounded behind me.
I didn't dare seize a glimpse at what --or who-- just fell.
The tone of even vaster footsteps meandered behind me. The ripping of flesh echoed in the distance.
A whimper cried into the luminous day. I felt that something had decided to tag along with the ravenous pack of wolves.
I took a risk and curtailed in my tracks.
I was dizzy and huffing; my lungs desperate for a normal breathing pattern. I curled my stomach. I felt nauseous. My head was spinning.
I shouldn't have stopped, I thought to myself.
I tilted my head up to see two, glowing, amber eyes in my view. I staggered back to realize it was a black panther. Blood was dripping from its mouth as it stared into my eyes. For a moment, the panther looked back to where I was previously.
When the panther turned to me, it spoke.
"The wolves are gone," he spoke in a young, soft voice. The panther had smooth-looking fur and seemed bigger than the average. He had a friendly voice and expression. His eyes were curious and it was as if he had a smile on his face.
I was flabbergasted. "You... You can talk?"
I felt like bursting into nervous laughter.
No way... This is crazy!
"So can you, " he licked his lips.
"Ew!" I cried.
"Would you rather my lunch be in your face?" his eyes darkened.
"Absolutely not!" I frowned.
"You look so beautiful, but how dirty you are!" the panther approached me closer.
"No, no, no!" I fell to the ground with a thud.
"Oh, calm down!" he licked my face.
"Ow!"
"What clan are you from?" he questioned.
"Uhm..."
"Do you have spots on your bum? Do you have any markings, yet?"
"No... Uhm..."
What now....
"I'm from the ape clan."
"Ah..." the panther turned up his nose. "And to think they got wiped out... An orphan, huh?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"My name... is Cyrus, " he stood abruptly on his hind legs and let out a vociferous roar. He slammed his paws to the ground and stretched.
"What was that!?" I cried.
"My name, " he chuckled.
I was frozen.
"Yours?"
"Zara..." I let out a nervous chuckle.
"Zara, " Cyrus let out the same laugh. "Interesting, you know your last name..."
I gave him a blank stare. "Yeah, sure."
"Climb on, you're coming with me, " he demanded.
"What? No! I--"
"And go back to the fire?" Cyrus growled. "You're coming with me, or staying here!"
"Uh!" I gasped.
"You belong with me." Cyrus put his forehead to mines. " I saved you... I found you, right?" his eyes darkened. "You're my female, now. I claim you. You cried for help. I was hunting for the clan and I left for you. I shouldn't have, but I did. I'm that kind of leader. Now let's go. These wolves should be enough."
I was shocked. This animal wants me to be his WHAT!?
"I can tell..." his claws balled as he bared his teeth at me. "That you're not willing... Need I say that a Feral may come upon you if you stay?"
"Feral?" I shivered.
"He wouldn't care for you the way I am now. He could even kill you for doing something like this." he growled.
There was an unexpected howl in the distance.
Cyrus did a prolonged, powerful roar towards their direction. The sound of footsteps came into the clear.
"Get on!" he demanded me. "NOW!"