2.

My head was pounding, terribly. It was the only thing that I could feel. I pried my eyes open, but quickly shut them back as another wave of darkness hit me. It was so dark that I couldn't even make out where I was or how I had gotten there.

From where I was lying, I tried to move, but my body felt too heavy, and the cold wind blowing across me made things more difficult. I ran my hand down my body, and felt the soft material of my gown.

But where was I? Didn't I just have an accident? I touched my head, and my nose, but felt nothing. No blood and no pain. Only the loud pounding headache in my head.

It made no sense.

I finally gathered up the strength to sit up and slowly tried to adjust to the darkness surrounding me. Bit by bit my eyes adjusted and I could make out the tall trees standing in front of me. In my confused state they appeared like monsters, similar to the stories Mami told me as a kid.

I stood up, trying to make sense of what was happening. Was I dreaming?

One moment, I had a car hit me, and the next, I was in a dark place with giant trees that cast eerie shadows across what appeared to be a dense forest?

My mind must be playing wild tricks on me. Or even worse, I had lost it.

Maybe I was dreaming? Or was I unconscious?

My legs began moving cautiously through the darkness that enveloped me, as if they had a brain of their own. The only sounds I could make out were the crackling leaves under my feet, and the distant hooting and howling from the nocturnal animals awake in the woods; overpowering all this was the frantic beating of my heart.

I kept moving despite the constant fear of being pounced upon by any creature that could be lurking in the shadows of the trees. I have a black belt in Karate, but I doubt it would be of much use against a potentially hungry predator.

The trees began to thin and a faint glimmer of sunlight began to filter through, easing the feeling of dread that had permeated my whole being.

Suddenly there was a loud snap of a twig behind me. I turned to look, but there was nothing behind me.

I calmed my raging heart, placing my hand on my chest as I resumed walking. This time, I walked faster, practically running. My only objective being to reach the end of the woods where the light would hopefully be brighter.

Again I heard the snapping of twigs behind me, louder this time. I sprang forward picking up my pace. I ran as though my life depended on it. And maybe, it did.

I stopped, panting with exhaustion as soon as I reached a clear opening. The light from the sun shone through brightly. I placed my hands on my knees, slowly taking in deep breaths as I tried to calm myself. The pounding in my head had doubled, and so was the pain in my chest. It felt as though I had swallowed a hot cup of coffee. The type Mel usually drinks.

"My, my, my," A deep voice suddenly drawled from behind me. "I thought I sniffed the wrong scent, but I was right. There was really a fresh human in our realm."

Cold fear slithered down my spine at the sound as I whirled around. I couldn't see who it was. Whoever the man was, he was not ready to reveal himself. All I could make out was his shadow as he skirted around the trees bordering the edge of the forest which I had just escaped from.

I began tiptoeing backwards, the thundering in my heart increasing with each step I took.

"There's no point in running, Love. I'll find you in no time and when I do I think I will take you against those trees. Hmmm. Wouldn't that be fun?" He sneered.

I felt a tickle behind my neck, as if he was behind me whispering in my ear.

I screamed, a loud heart wrenching scream that made me feel as though I'd lose my voice.

How did he get here? Wasn't he in the shadows?

"You smell so nice," he sniffed my black curly hair, while running his hands down my hips. The gown I had on was not helping, because soon enough, he slipped his hands under the dress, slowly stroking my thigh.

"Wh...who...are..."

"Shhh..." he ran his hand across the nape of my neck, pulling me flush against his body. He smelled of sweat and dirt, and it repulsed me. "I just want to make you feel better, Love. Trust me."

"Let go of me!" I screamed, struggling to pull away from his hold, but that only caused him to tighten it even more.

"Stop resisting!" he snarled, turning me around and landing a hard slap on my face. Time seemed to stop as I struggled against him trying to break away. "You'll enjoy it," he grumbled, trying to shove his hands into my panties.

I screamed again, hitting him with my fists as hard as I possibly could. "You bitch!" he snarled, slapping me again with the back of his hand.

I fell to the dirty ground, the metalic taste of blood on my tongue. But I didn't care. I simply wanted to get away from all this. And I would freaking fight to escape this nightmare!

He slapped me again and again, as he kicked me in my stomach. Suddenly he yanked me up by my hair, staring at me with a sinister smile on his face.

"You look even better covered in blood. And I'll enjoy you even more." Another slap that split my lips as I hit my head loudly on the ground. I felt faint. My head was spinning so hard that I couldn't make out what was going on anymore.

I stayed frozen, unable to move as I felt him tear my dress completely off, leaving me bare to the cold wind in only my undergarments. My eyes stung with tears, but I refused to cry. I refused to let them fall. I had no more strength to fight, but I wasn't about to show him that. I'll keep fighting. Because I had no doubt that once this monster had his way with me, he would kill me without a thought as if he was snuffing out a candle.

I had not even bid Mami farewell, nor Mubarak. I would be dying, lost in a place where no one would ever know where to find my body. I don't even know how I got here, or where exactly I am.

I closed my eyes, playing with different scenarios in my head to fit in what I had planned, while I felt him slowly tugging on my panties, as though he was enjoying the fear he was sensing in me.

My body shivered uncontrollably, waiting for the inevitable. Waiting for him to make the first move before I strike.

But nothing happened.

A loud howl forced my eyes open. The lecherous man was being held by the neck by another man. He looked much bigger than the one that was trying to rape me.

"HOW DARE YOU!" the man growled, hurling him against the tree so hard that it splintered from his strength. With one of his large, powerful hands on my abuser's neck holding him firmly against the tree, he began to punch him over and over again with his other fist. Blood splattered everywhere, but he didn't seem to care. "A rogue in my pack?" He thundered, continuing his assault on his face.

What the heck was a rogue? And a pack?

The rapist he called a rogue suddenly got a hand free and attempted to throw a quick punch. But he was no match.

My savior leapt forward knocking him to the ground. He rose to his feet immediately, while the rogue struggled to get to his.

"Let me do it, Elian," a man I didn't notice before addressed my savior.

So my savior's name was Elian.

"No. This is my territory and he dares to disrespect me and my pack's code by trying to take a woman forcefully in it. I'll make him pay myself." Elian replied, rage dripping from his voice.

The rogue had somehow scrambled to his feet, although clearly swaying unsteadily from his injuries.

As each stared at the other menacingly, both men lunged for each other, exchanging blows like they were possessed or something. But Elian's hands moved with blinding speed as he struck almost every part of the rogue's body.

Elian threw him aside once again, then grabbed a large branch and stabbed it right through the man's stomach. I gasped in horror, but he didn't seem to care or even pay me the slightest attention.

He grabbed a fistful of his hair and brought his face up to face him.

"LOOK AT ME!" Elian snarled, kicking him right in the groin. "Look at my face. It's the last thing you'll ever see, worthless scum."

The man who assaulted me was gasping for air, and he groped around trying to stop his attacker. But the latter grabbed the hand and stomped down on it so hard that his bone shattered instantly. His agonizing cry pierced the air as he collapsed to the ground, his body soaked in blood.

Elian stepped on the man's fingers with his heavy boots, crushing them underneath his weight. The rogue pleaded to no avail as he struggled to get away from his assailant. But just like I had been powerless against him, he was also powerless against Elian. He was much larger than the rogue after all, and certainly looked far more ferocious.

Even with Elian's back turned to me, I still sensed the strength and power that exuded from every pore of his body. And despite the thudding in my head and the little light around, I saw his dark brown skin glisten in contrast to the rogue's blanched skin from suffering.

He had the rogue pinned to the ground looking directly at me, his cold bleak unrepentant eyes glaring at me. And that was enough to paralyze me, remembering how this vulture had only moments before tried to rape me. The mere memory caused my body to start shaking again.

He then grabbed the bleeding man, and brought him right up to his face. The latter's sobs continued, and even as he begged for mercy, I knew that it was a lost game. I had known that from the moment my rescuer arrived. From his stance alone, and from the cold silence coming from him, it was safe to say that this was the end for this despicable rogue.

In one snap, he ripped his head off. I was so shocked that I couldn't even bring myself to scream, or even move. I watched in horror as the headless body collapsed to the ground, while he held the now severed head in his hands. Silence prevailed once again, except for the incessant thumping of my own terrified heart.

And then he turned towards me.

My mouth hung open as he took slow steps towards me. I tried fervently to pull together scraps of my shredded dress in order to cover my exposed parts, while pressing my legs together, thanking the stars that I still had my panties and brassiere on. But there was very little left. And whatever tattered remnants I grasped kept slipping through my fingers.

"Stay back," I said, trying to sound strong even though it was clear I didn't stand a chance against him. Despite that, I willed for my voice to be strong. Hard.

"She's scared," the other man said, but Elian didn't stop in his tracks.

He also didn't say anything. Instead, he simply kneeled before me and removed the large shirt he was wearing, his eyes trailing down my body.

Momentarily his fingertips brushed my shoulder as he slowly draped the tunic over me. My body jumped as I felt sparks shoot through me at his touch. As I glanced into his eyes, I could see he was surprised also. It was clear that he had felt it as well.

But as he gazed at me, his eyes began to transform to something different. Something intense. Something raw. He sniffed the air, as I watched the movement of his hands. One was tightened into a tight fist, while the other cupped my cheek gently. As he lowered his face towards me, I could feel his warm moist breath against my neck. Still in shock, I felt him take a long deep breath as he sniffed my neck. A low deep guttural growl escaped from his throat as he stood up.

I tipped my head up slowly and I found myself staring into deep brown eyes. But the words that left his lips made me shake on the inside.

"Mine."