Chapter 7. Conflict

I stormed off into the woods, angry at my brother's words even though I knew he was right. They echoed in my ear "she is a hostage and you need to treat her as such, if you go soft for her this entire plan, all of our people have suffered and died for nothing. Don't let this wench enchant you brother!" I was angry when I spoke back to him "I will not mistreat her and she is not to know what she is here for, not right now she is in pain." Mordrid then became mad and threw his plate down and stormed off. I walked off until I had made my way to a small clear stream close by, I needed to get her out of my head. The moment she had walked out of my tent I felt my heart jump up into my throat, her tight white dress left little to my imagination, her hair was pulled back exposing her beautiful neck, I had the urge to leave kisses all the way down it. The neckline was low showing the cleavage of her large breasts and her hips swayed as she walked. My brother noticed and that is when he began to scold me and honestly he was right.  If I wasn't careful I would find myself completely helpless against her beauty. I heard sticks break behind me and I wirreled around, ready to defend myself when I then noticed an angel, revealing herself to me through the trees. Why did she have to follow me, especially now looking so irresistible. 

"You followed me? Did someone say something to you?" I growled, the uncontrollable urge to protect her taking over me before I could think clearly.  "No, no not at all, I just simply wanted to talk." Her voice like music to my ears "oh, okay. What did you need to talk about princess?" She paused then came to sit beside me next to the bubbling stream "My return home." She stated casually "I want you to return me to my parents, I can talk them into a truce between your men and mine, We don't have to shed blood to fix this problem." I froze and tried to search for the words to say before finally breaking the truth to her which I would soon regret. "Princess, when we rescued you from your husband's camp… my men were actually there to kidnap you, you are technically my hostage. I knew your name and that you had been married to form an alliance before we ever had taken you." I stopped when I could see her reaction to my words. She spoke again after a minute but this time her voice was full of fire "and what was your goal for me being your hostage?" She was no longer sitting at my side but standing ready for a fight "We plan to ask for ransom, for land and gold." I said back. She didn't respond for quite some time, her beautiful face now full of anger "land and coin? But your message to my parents was one of vengeance and threats, you monsters clearly have a grudge against my people." Her words were like acid and then realization hit her "wait, you was going to take land and coin both… but that wouldn't have been enough wouldn't it? You were going to betray and trap my parents into letting their guard down wasn't you? you still plan on killing all my people." She was angry and I could hear the panic in her voice. I couldn't bring myself to lie to her anymore, something about this woman made it hard for me to lie to her  "yes" was all I replied with my head held down. She was now in full blown rage as she now asked me "you don't plan to let me go home any time soon do you!?" 

"No" was all I could say. She was livid and then began to chant and I felt my hair raise, she was going to kill me, then nothing happened. I looked at her confused and then stood to face her, her expression was now full of fear as she stared down at the little bracelet on her wrist and began to cuss, she then began to back away from me getting ready to make a run for it. I quickly grabbed her by the arm to keep her from escaping and instantly after i felt something slam against the back of my head and everything went black. 

Colby's P.O.V.  

"It's bullshit, complete bullshit." I roar at my soldiers "I want her found now! Bring me the best wizard there is, She can be tracked. Also not one word of her disappearance is to reach the king and queen's castle, any who breathes a word about it will pay with their life!" My team captain stutters "Y..yes Lord" he then saluted me and leaves camp with a band of warriors. I begin to rub my eyes then wince from the pain. Those damn wolves! I was seconds from consummating my marriage when they tore through my quarters. Three Wolves the size of a bear stood before me, razor sharp teeth barred and eyes deep red, the blood of my troops dripping from their gruelish faces. They then changed before my eyes, bones cracking and rearranging themselves made me cringe and soon three large dark haired men stood before me. I was frozen in shock as the screams of the soldiers in my camp cried for mercy as they were slaughtered by the other abominations accompanied by the three who stood inside my tent. One of the men walked to my clothing that was neatly placed on small shelves to keep them tidy and grabbed a pair of bottoms while passing the other two large menacing men a pair. Once they were all halfway clothed the largest man spoke darkly "remove yourself from the woman." I looked down and noticed I was still above my wife, her wrists pinned down with one hand and the other around her skinny little throat, her beautiful perfectly proportioned body lifeless underneath me. I quickly obeyed the man and jumped up, putting myself back in my pants then buttoning them. "Now stand here and put your hands up." He commanded and I did what he said. Once I moved, his two accomplices proceeded to beat me to a pulp while he wrapped my naked wife in a blanket and carried her and her belongings out of my tent. Then I was knocked unconscious, I awoke to bitter pain in my face and ribs as well as men screaming in pain and panic as they tried to recover from the attack. I was a bloody mess, with broken ribs and my face swollen and tender. As soon as my father and my men recovered from the attack we tried to hunt them down but to no avail. That right now isn't my main concern though, my main concern is finding my wife and consummating my marriage, without that legal bonding our divorce was inevitable and then the throne and the whole kingdom would be out of my reach. Unless, she was dead. If she was dead I could use that to my advantage blaming the wolves. It could give the soft king and queen the push we need to go straight to war and then after I lead the armies and defeat the monsters I could rally the people to overthrow the current rulers of Mascovania and place me on the throne as the rightful king. I smiled at the brilliant plan I had conceived and it would work out even better if the wolves actually killed her themselves, either way the princess will die. Almost a day had passed and finally my guards returned to me with a withered old man who had a powerful dark aura around him, his eyes were black and menacing and he carried a large title less black book. I recognized him as the great dark wizard Nero.

 "Nero my old friend" I smiled and greeted him "what is it you need from me prince Colby." He replied, his voice raspy. I shooed my men away and escorted him to my quarters. "You look like hell, my prince. Do tell me what has happened?" He questioned. I replied bitterly "wolves happened and they seem to have taken my wife with them. That is why you are here, I am needing to find the little wench and put her out of her misery however I can't seem to track her due to a charm bracelet I placed on her to prevent her from using magic." He looked at me with an amused look on his face and answered "ahh, an antimagic band huh? Yes that princess Anna is quite spirited, I'm curious though why would you want to kill her sire." His questions were probing and they irritated me but if I want his help I have to answer "because her and I haven't had sex finalizing our marriage, if she makes it to her parents and provides the details of our only two nights together they would have my head and I wouldn't have my throne but if I have her killed, or if the wolves kill her I can then use that to my advantage but for me to make sure she no longer breathes I must be able to find her." Nero looks at me with an evil grin "that is dark sire, I like it. Let's find this 'princess'" he then began to set out his tools and opened the black book in his arms, it was time to find my precious wife.

"My lord, I apologise for my out burst but why don't you simply take your wife back into your control? You could make her provide you with heirs making your stronghold inside her kingdom that much more powerful." Nero asked curiously. "Well Nero, I need a wife that I can control and if she survives being kidnapped by wolves that will only fuel her people to prop up her rule, she could use that as a way to show strength. Once she obtains that kind of support and confidence. she may find it easier to have me shamed and our marriage annulled, thus leaving Mascovania out of my reach. She could possibly even move to take my head for treason. I can't afford for her to live. If she dies, the crown matrimonial automatically by law gives me right to her throne. I can then re-marry to a wench who I can tame." My voice was casual." He pondered what I had said and then replied with a sly grin "it seems my prince that you have thought of everything." He then began working his spell to disable the band I had placed on the harlot's wrist, he pulled a snake from a small satchel from around his shoulder and cut open its body, emptying it's contents into a bowl with poultice and herbs then continued his chant. The wind began to swirl around me inside of the tent and suddenly all the candles were blown out, he then smiled and said "it is done, you can now find your princess." I began to chuckle darkly, yes princess your life will be over soon and I and my family will rule Nashard and all of Mascovania. "Track her" I barked and the wizard done as I had said then revealed her destination "she is in the northern forest, quite a ways away from here, in the forest of the sprites." "Thank you my friend, you may take your leave now." I said as I gave him a substantial amount of coin and watched as he left. "Guard!" I screamed. My guard appeared offering his service "go to the forest of the sprites, there you will find my princess and when you see her I want her put down without hesitation, also send another to inform the queen and king of the princesses tragic demise by the wolves." I then sent him away on his task, I will have my desires met and with that knowledge I relaxed, satisfaction filling my body. 

 Anna's P.OV.

I ran for what seemed like forever, it was beginning to become dark outside, the sunset kissed the horizon in a mixture of pink and orange that lulled over the peaks of the mountains I could see through the tall trees. I finally stopped running, sure that Draven couldn't find me, I had to have ran for miles it seemed. I sat down at the base of a very large tree covered in red bark, I laid my head against the trunk of the tree in exhaustion, I needed to rest for just a minute, I then closed my eyes and before I knew it, sleep took over.

I woke to darkness, the only light was the large bright moon above me, I had fallen asleep and now I was trapped hear alone in the eerie darkness, something I am definitely afraid of since i am very aware of what beasts roam inside the Forest of sprites. I could feel the tears pooling up into my eyes, I wanted to go home to my parents. Everything had changed so quickly and now I may never see the comfort of my home again. First trapped by a wolf in sheep's clothing; prince Colby and then taken hostage by a devilishly handsome wolf who was dead set on eliminating my entire species. My head swam with frustration, I was powerless in all of these matters because of this damn bracelet. 

I heard rustling in the bushes just a few feet from where I sat, my stomach turned as I thought of all the creatures that could possibly be lying in wait for me. I stood slowly bracing myself to start running again when  I suddenly felt something whistle past me leaving and excruciating pain in my left shoulder, it was an arrow. Was Draven really trying to kill me? I let out a Yelp as the pain struck me, causing me to fall backwards onto the ground and hitting my head on the cluster of rocks next to the large tree I had rested on. A dark figure appeared from the darkness of the bushes, his features now easier to see in the moonlight, his Auburn hair was slicked back and his pale blue eyes shined in excitement, he carried a bow in his right hand and a sword on his hip, on the base of the handle was the head of a dragon the dragon of Nashard. This wasn't Draven it's one of Colby's men. I wanted to ask him why he was trying to kill me but I couldn't make my mouth form the words I just lay there fear stricken and unable to move, he began to pull his sword from it's holster, his intent of my death clear on his face. He walked closer to me and began to swing the violent weapon, all I could do was close my eyes and let death take me. Then a loud piercing howl broke through the night and a large all black wolf, his eyes red with rage leaped through the brush and onto the knight knocking him off his feet as he dropped the sword some distance from him, the wolf on top of him snarled and sank it's teeth into the thigh of the menacing soldier, he screamed out in pain then cast a spell on the wolf, sending it flying through the air and into the tree right next to me, the wolf quickly got up again and went after the assassin this time jumping on top of him. I then heard a loud Yelp come from the wolf, it staggered back and I caught a glimpse of a small scabbard lodged into the wolf's stomach. I didn't know what to do but this wolf had saved me, I grabbed a large rock from behind me and ran towards the assassin hitting him across the head with the large rock, he was so focused on the wolf that he forgot I was there, the man was now lying unconscious at my feet. I looked over my shoulder to see the wolf whimpering then it collapsed and began to shift into a man but not just any man, it was Draven. I gasped the shock of seeing him transform before my eyes had taken over the fear of the initial attack. Blood oozed from his abdomen, he groaned in pain and he was completely naked before me, I felt my cheeks grow hot at the sight of him. I finally managed to pull myself together and ran to his side while ripping the bottom of the fabric off my dress to cover his nakedness, I could feel tears fall from my eyes at the sight of him lying there covered in his own blood and it was all to save me. "Draven!" I cried out "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, if I hadn't have ran you wouldn't be hurt. I never wanted to see you get hurt." The guilt ate at my very core, even though I was his hostage he hadn't treated me badly and now he just risked his own life to save mine. He finally managed to speak his voice cracking as he tried to fight the pain from the blade still lodged into his stomach "no I'm sorry, I should have been honest with you from the beginning." He began to cough then continued "I couldn't have let you take off on your own then I saw him attack you. I would have never forgiven myself if he had taken your life." His words was but a whisper, he was slipping away, I could see that he was fighting to keep his eyes open and he was losing that battle. I knew it was pointless but I still had to try, I pulled the knife from his stomach and then placed my hands over the angry wound and began to chant my healing spell, to my surprise it began to work. I could see the injury mending itself, light left my fingertips and poored into his body yet he was still losing consciousness so I put even more of my power into it, I knew the risks of using all of my magic at once especially since my magic wasn't fully developed because I haven't felt true love before. I could feel my body becoming weaker as I watched his grow stronger then the wound was mostly  healed and soon after my body couldn't take the burden, I collapsed. My magic had completely drained me, or killed me but at least the man who had saved me would live.  

Dravens P.O.V. 

I saw the man hovering over Anna-leigh his sword held high, ready to take her life. I refused to let him hurt her, I lunged after him and was close to killing him when he pulled a hidden blade from under his shirt and plunged it into my stomach just inches away from my heart. I staggered back and could feel my lungs filling with blood, im going to die and even worse, the man trying to killed Anna was still alive; injured but alive and I was going under very quickly saving her now was impossible, I was a wretch to weak to save Anna just like I was to weak to save my mother. I sent out a distress call to my pack hoping that someone would hear my mind link in time to save the princess. I fell to the ground and saw from the corner of my eye Anna slam a large rock across the head of the man. I then began to automatically shift back to my human form, my body growing weaker by the second and before I knew it she was at my side with desperation and fear furrowing her perfectly shaped eyebrows. The very last thing I remember was fighting consciousness and her angelic voice preaching forign words.

Howls echoed into my ears, my brain couldn't put together what was happening around me or why everything was black and why I could hear the worried cry of members of my pack in the distance. A voice came to me through the wolf mind link, it was Mordrid. "Draven!? Draven please answer us! We are on our way, please hold on brother!" He was frantic in his call and I didn't understand why until the realization of the nights events flashed through my head, my eyes shot open and I was on my back looking up into the starlit sky, the moon bright high above me. I tried to sit up and instantly groaned at the pain in my upper torso, after finally getting myself upright I frantically looked around for Anna locking my eyes on her unmoving figure right next to me. The bottom of her dress was torn off and when I looked down I noticed that she must have used the torn fabric to cover my naked body. I quickly rolled her to her back placing my ear to her chest looking for her heartbeat, it thudded peacefully underneath my ear. Relief washed over me, she was alive. "Mordrid, I am okay. But please get here quickly." I replied through my mind link. "Yes brother, thank God you are okay." Mordrid answered back. I looked towards the culprit of the attack and he was still unconscious or dead considering the size of the rock Anna used to knock him out. I sat there for what must have been at least 10 minutes studying her beautiful features. long lashes kissed her porcelain cheeks, her full pink lips begging to be kissed. Only when I heard my pack rustling through the trees did I pull my gaze from the goddess before me. "What the hell happened" Mordrid demanded, noticing me lying next to the princess with nothing but a thin sheen of white fabric to cover me and my chest and stomach covered in dried blood. "Not what you are assuming." I growled as I stood and tied the white linen together on the side of my hip and then continued to speak "That man who lays their is to be our prisoner of he still lives, he made an attempt on the princesses life and then mine. I am honestly not sure how I'm even alive right now, there was a blade buried in my gut." I exclaimed. Three of the pack members nodded their large heads in agreement and persisted to pick up the scrawny man and throw him onto the back of another large wolf.

I then picked up Anna's limp body and gently placed her onto the back of the third wolf and commanded him to be careful with her or I would have his head. I then quickly shifted into my wolf to hide how completely aware I was to the close proximity of her body and then we all then raced off to the camp. 

I was the first to arrive to the camp, I shifted and went to my quarters and dressed quickly as the others made their way into view, I gently pulled Anna off the back of the russet colored wolf that carried her and carried her into my tent where I asked my healer to tend to any wounds that she may have had, then after I stormed out of my tent looking for the bastard who caused my pain. 

I found him, screaming profanities at my warriors who had taken him and tied his hands behind a large post on the opposite side of the camp. Their faces were smug and I could tell they just wanted to kill the wretch but I needed him to talk. I approached the warrior, my blood boiling and stood in front of him. i commanded him to tell me the meaning of his intentions towards Anna, The man glared at me and spat in response "I was ordered to kill her by prince Caleb."  I felt my body stiffen "Her own husband ordered you to kill her, why?!" I screamed "That is confidential." The man replied. I could feel the frustration eating at me with his response, before I could think I had punched him, breaking his nose. He screamed out in pain and I then repeated my question this time he answered "The prince ordered me to kill her so she couldn't tell her parents all he had done to her, when she dies without a child her position on the throne by law goes to her husband, making him the next king of Mascovania." He paused to spit blood from his mouth and then finished. "The prince has already informed her parents that she is dead, he had a powerful warlock disenchant the band that is around her wrist so she can be found and dealt with. I promise you wolf, he will send another to end her life. The prince won't stop until he gets what he wants. He will use her death to rally the people and destroy you as well as take the throne from king Alexander." "That bastard!" I exclaimed, then stormed off too angry to continue my interrogation. After telling my men to leave the wretch where he was until I found a way to make him useful I sat on a large pine log next to the crackling fire where a hearty stew bubbled overtop the flames, unsure of what to do next. It was hard to ransom a princess who's husband don't give a damn about, it was also hard and wrong to hold her captive after saving my life not to mention my feelings for her grow with every second I'm around her, damn this girl what has she done to me. I sighed in frustration, it was time for a change of plans.