Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
I felt something tighten in my chest and it wasn’t unpleasant.
I didn’t know how long we stayed silent, but never once did he take his gaze off of me. He still crouched on his haunches, that gigantic body blocking the only escape. Although I wasn’t stupid. I knew that even if I tried to run, he would catch me. He was a predator, that much was obvious.
“Why did you take me?” I felt like I'd asked this question a million times, but it was like he couldn't—more likely wouldn’t—answer.
He made this noncommittal grunting noise before he turned and stalked toward where the firelight was flickering.
I exhaled roughly, not realizing how much I’d been holding my breath intermittently.
I didn’t know how long I sat there, assuming he wanted me to follow, but I stayed put long enough my ass felt numb. I would have stayed here the whole time if not for the thought that he’d come back in here and haul me out like a rag doll.
I was on some kind of pallet that was covered in thick furs on top, and pine needles and dead grass underneath.
The smell that surrounded me was damp and heavily smelling of earth. Although I knew I didn’t want to go out there, and didn't want to follow him, I also was very aware he’d just hunt me back down.
So I stood, knowing I should probably figure out what the hell was going on.
Chapter
Nine
Marcella
Once I stood, I stayed where I was for another long minute. I was afraid to leave, to go out there and face whatever Wolf had in store.
But finally, I tentatively moved down the tunnel until it opened up and curved to the left, showing a large open area. I could see Wolf sitting before a fire, his immense body still seeming to dwarf the cavernous area.
His arms hung between his legs, his focus on the flames, and thank God the position that he was in shielded the massive erection that I had felt digging into my back. Because yeah, this girl had for sure looked.
His attention was on the spit angled over the flames as he manually turned it, roasting whatever small creature he skewered through the center.
I fought back the wave of nausea as I could see its charred body being roasted.
Although I wasn’t a vegetarian, it seemed a little too crude for me, and not something I was used to seeing living in the city. Hell, back home, my meals had been presented beautifully on a plate, or I opened the bag and pulled it out before unwrapping it.
Wolf didn’t look up, didn’t even move, but I knew he was fully aware of me standing just a few feet away from him.
I took a few moments to glance around the cavern and check everything out. In reality, I was trying to find where the escape route was. The interior was small, with the opening about twenty feet to my right. The ceiling—is that what the top of a cave was called?—had stalactites, but was high enough that I knew when Wolf stood he wouldn’t have to crouch.
I could see a stack of furs, amongst other items like rocks, bones, sticks, a pile of pine needles, and crudely woven baskets filled with things I couldn't quite make out from where I stood.
When I glanced back at the creature, it was to see him staring at me, his black gaze trained right on me in the most penetrating of ways.
“What are you called, female?”
My tongue felt too thick to form any words and answer. I ran the muscle along my bottom lip, noticing him watching the act. “M-Marcella,” I whispered.
He hummed a gruff sound. “My Marcella. Come here.” His voice was growly, and a part of me felt like he said it with a gentle tone. He held out his large five fingered paw and beckoned me over by curling his claws toward his palm.
He was a monster. Literally. And I knew he had no intentions of letting me go. So why would he care if I was comfortable or not?
But I still moved toward him, instinct telling me the last thing I wanted to do was piss him off. Survival Marcella. This is you being smart until you can get away from him.
The closer I got to the fire, the more I felt my shivering lessen and realized I was freezing. I wrapped my arms around my middle, the chill having nothing to do with the cavern air, and it all having to do with the shock of… everything.
I kept the creature in my sights the entire time as I rounded the fire to sit on the opposite side, keeping the flames between us as if it was some kind of barrier that could actually protect me. That was laughable.