454- The Beast Within
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
"And which way is it?"
I would already be punching his face. Even if it was a crime to hurt something so beautiful.
"I'll take you there," he said, rubbing his sweat-drenched face. "I'd have to walk you back anyway."
I followed him without saying a single word, my hands still clenched into fists at my sides and my teeth gritted. Rage made my blood boil and burned my veins. I thought of a thousand and one ways to kill Anton Eldoria.
I had agreed to stay for my safety and because it was the best option for me at the moment, but that didn't mean he could control my every step. I was just going to the damn city for a few hours, to clear my head, buy some things, and then come back. It wasn't like I was fleeing or leaving permanently.
I also found it unlikely that the Mercantes would be so relentless after me. They had already gotten their hands on my father and part of his work; what would they want with me? What advantage would they gain from that?
They took months, sometimes years, to locate us. Going to the city for a few hours wouldn't compromise my safety at all.
On top of everything, I really wanted to find some of them; it would soothe my bloodlust a little. Nothing like a few Mercante heads rolling around to bring me peace.
I could hear the conversations of the pack members as we approached the village center. I noticed I wasn't as far away as I had imagined and that I had probably been walking in circles rather than moving away.
We advanced along the side, staying in the middle of the forest, without entering the village.
The smell of eucalyptus grew stronger and stronger. The cut wood released a dust that floated through the air, impregnating it.
"I think he's in the office," he announced, pointing with his hand toward a small cabin. "I need to get back to my patrol."
Men walked back and forth, carrying enormous logs on their shoulders. The movement would be impossible for a human, but not for them. It wasn't just savagery that the animal part brought; with it also came abnormal strength, absurd speed, and accelerated healing power. I saw more advantages than disadvantages, although I didn't use my other side that much.
But there was one of them, one that might seem like an advantage to most, but not to me. The years of life.
Half a millennium, if I reached the peak of old age.
For someone like me, alone, it didn't seem so interesting. When I returned to living with humans, I would watch them all die in fifty years, while I would remain in an almost endless vicious cycle.
It would be sad. A long life of loneliness and sadness.
I shook my head, dispersing myself from thinking about that for now.
I noticed the looks directed at me as I advanced through the open field they used to move the wood that would be sent for export. They didn't approach me; all of them afraid of how Anton might react.
The glass doors of the cabin were open. It was a small and simple place, created to be an office and nothing more. Every piece of furniture was made of wood, and I was almost certain they had done all the carpentry themselves.
I spotted Anton sitting behind a long table, head down, analyzing some papers scattered over it. He seemed calm, having a peaceful day, unaware that he was about to be murdered.
I entered the office like a hurricane, slamming my shoulder against the door, making the glass hum. The alpha lifted his head from the papers, confused, his dark eyebrows drawn together by his furrowed brow. When his eyes met mine, an amused gleam appeared in them, making me even more irritated.
"Hello! Came to pay me a pleasant visit?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.
Oh yes, it would be very pleasant!
I advanced toward him, glaring. My arms hanging at my sides, my steps hard and determined.
"Or maybe it's not so pleasant after all," he continued, arching his well-defined eyebrows. He twirled the pen in his hand between his fingers, not taking his eyes off mine. "Maybe my existence has annoyed yours?" he inquired, trying to figure out the reason for my anger.
"Maybe?" I hissed, stopping right in front of the table where he sat.
"You know, I think you suffer from mood swings. You're like a little box of surprises; I never know what to expect each day."
That was the peak of what I could endure.
I walked around the table so fast that I startled myself. I knew I had unusual speed, but I wasn't used to using it. Anton spun the chair to the side, preparing for the confrontation. I threw myself at him; he grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap, sitting me on his legs.
"May I know the reason for all this aggression?" he whispered, holding my neck, keeping my head against his hard chest. His voice, close to my ear, made my skin prickle.
"After I get rid of you, yes," I snarled, trying to break free from his strong arms.
I spread my legs and brought my hand between them, ready to punch him right in the balls. As always, the Eldoria heir anticipated the movement and caught my hand midway.
"I already told you he'll be very useful to you one day; you won't want to do that."
"With absolute certainty, I want to do that, you idiot!"
"No, you don't. You're just consumed by anger, but if you hurt our little friend here, who's going to satisfy you?"
I snarled and squirmed.
"You're really abusive! Besides being arrogant, of course."
I felt Anton stiffen beneath me. He took a deep breath, blowing the air against my hair.
"No one besides me will touch you, Little Beast. I'm just giving you time to get used to the idea, but know that you belong to me. You won't want to challenge my beast; he already claims you as his own."
"That's not my problem. Control yourself and leave me alone, please."
I tried to break free from his grip, but it was firm as steel. I didn't know what irritated me more: the fact that he messed with me or that I became so useless when it came to him. I hated that he was a new generation, a mutant wolf different from the others.
"Fuck, female, stop moving," he grunted.
I snorted, not obeying his order.
"Or what? Are you going to kill me?"
He pulled me even closer against himself, wrapping his arms around my belly. I felt every muscle in his body tense. He breathed heavily, as if trying to calm himself or control himself.
"Or I'll lose control to my beast and throw you over that table and fuck you like the animal I am," he whispered.
I opened my mouth, shocked, breathless, and... aroused at the same time. Only then did I notice the hard member beneath me. I tensed, feeling shaken.