章節 31: Chapter Thirty-One
Snapping branches were the first sign. Low, angry growls were the second. And the soft crunching of dried leaves as the beast stepping slowly through the brush was the third.
Each of these signs Silas missed in his attempt to bed Serena. He pressed his body firmly against hers and squeezed his hands against her skin. She cried silent tears as she lay helpless below the monster. Silas slipped out of his borrowed pants and sat back down on top of Serena. As he fumbled with her pants, a loud snap sounded to the dark brush beside him.
Silas jerked up his head toward the dark underbrush. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open, and Serena looked toward the source of his fright. Silas jumped up and sprinted for his pants.
A massive, sand-colored wolf crept forward, its eyes glowed green and its yellow teeth were barred. The wolf lept and collided with Silas. They two toppled to the ground in a ball of tan. Serena scrambled to her feet and stood. Her eyes were glued to the wolf and his bout with Silas.
The wolf snapped at Silas' exposed body while Silas writhed and squirmed beneath the mammoth. Blood seeped from Silas' arm and foam and drool spilled into the wound. Silas punched the wolf furiously, desperately trying to create distance to shift.
"Get the fuck off me!" He roared, his eyes glowing crimson and his teeth growing longer.
The sandy wolf bit at Silas' face while pressing a paw further into Silas' abdomen. The wolf's fur bristled at Silas' contact but scraped its claws down his chest. Blood flowed from the scratch marks, staining the ground scarlet.
"Go. Now." The wolf barked at Serena. With one last glance at the two, she spun and sprinted as best as she could toward the growing blaze. She continued moving despite explicit screams from Silas begging her for help and to come back. She clenched her fists tightly as she pressed on. Her nails dug into her skin and her knuckles paled, but she kept moving.
She reached the clearing to see the forest ablaze. The grounds were almost ashes and wolves were fleeing to the clearing or areas of the forest not yet touched by the destruction. She stumbled through the field, her gaze wandering at the faces that flew past her. No one stopped. No one asked to help. They continued their running toward the trees, toward the dulled screams of Silas.
She shuffled a few more steps before coming to a halt.
Her throat and chest ached. She sucked in a breath only to cough at the smoke and the pressure on her ribs. She slowly raised her head and continued her trudge through the tall grass.
A man was running through the field, head on a swivel. He would pause for a moment, as to sniff the air before turning and heading closer to Serena.
She paused and watched the man, her head groggy and half in a daze. He continued his run toward her. As he approached, she could make out his features. His tall, muscular frame was wrapped loosely in a burned t-shirt, and his hair was messy and spiked at odd angles. His eyes were roaming the field in search of something, but when they landed on her, the whole world stopped.
He sprinted toward her faster than anything she had seen before. He stopped a few feet from her and gasped for breath.
"Lacuna..." Atlas breathed out at the sight of Serena's burnt and dirty figure. Her clothing was in tatters, and her hair stringy and caked with blood. Dirt was smeared over his face and exposed skin. The hem of her shirt and pants singed. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
Atlas strode forward and wrapped her tightly in his arms. He pressed her tightly against his body. Her body shook and fell against him, helpless. Her breathing was short and unsteady while his slow and shallow.
"Atlas? Is that you?" Serena pressed a hand against his chest. Atlas slid a hand up and cupped her face, stroking his thumb over her eyes and cheek.
"It's me." He said, his voice tight. His jaw was tight and his eyes were full of fear and concern. Serena leaned back into him and let out a heavy breath. He rubbed her back gently as they stood in the sea of grass surrounded by the burning woods.
The sky began to cry as they stood, soaking in each other. At first, it was a slow cry. Raindrops fell sporadically in heavy plops. But soon, the downpour of cold, heavy rain fell, casting the meadow and woods into a thick curtain of water.
He lifted her chin and met her eyes. They were dulled. Dulled by the rain or by the smoke. He dipped his head and pressed his lips firmly against her forehead. The dirt mingled with the rain and created a messy slop against his face.
He wrapped his hands firmly around her waist and squeezed her tightly against him. She groaned softly at the pressure his fingers made on her waist and pushed further against him.
She tilted her head to the sky and let the rain wash away the dirt and blood. Atlas met her gaze when she opened her eyes. Her lips turned up slightly in a smile. He smiled back.
He nuzzled into her neck and muttered against her skin,
"I thought I lost you." His voice cracked.
She stroked his wet and dirty hair.
"I thought I was lost." She croaked.
Atlas pressed his lips against her neck but Serena jerked away. Atlas released his grip and took a step back. He scanned her body and met her gaze again.
"What happened." He asked, his eyes narrowed and angry.
"Nothing happened." She rubbed her arm and shifted to relieve her injured leg of her weight.
Atlas stepped close to her and placed his hands on her shoulders firmly.
"What did that bastard do." He demanded.
Serena shrugged, trying to get out of Atlas's grip, but he tightened his grasp.
"What did he do?" He asked again, his voice cold.
"He's dead." She ducked her head and the water ran down her face. The dirty water ran into her open lips and stuck in her mouth. The salty and mineral taste lingered long after she swallowed. "A sand-colored wolf attacked him before he could do anything, and I escaped."
Atlas pulled her into a tight hug and muttered into her wet, disgusting hair,
"Thank the Moon Goddess you're safe." He kissed her head and carried to back to the untouched packhouse.
"I'll send a patrol for his body." He said as he set her gently on his bed. He sat beside her and stroked her hair. "Do you want a bath? Should I send for Venus? Or are you okay by yourself?"
Serena stared into space and refused to answer. Atlas stroked her hair and studied her face. Her eyes were vacant and unmoving, while her cheeks were flushed and dirty from the blood and dirt. He began to leave but Serena tugged on his shirt.
"Don't leave me alone." She whispered, looking up at him fearfully.
"Okay..." He dropped back to her side. "But you need to change and bathe."
"I'll do it myself." She muttered back, gazing blankly at him.
"Okay..." He grabbed an extra shirt and shorts from his bedside dresser and handed them to her. "I'll be right outside the door." He lifted her and sat her in a chair inside the bathroom. The hot water rushed into the bathtub and the room filled with its steam.
Serena slid into the hot water and sighed. She leaned back her head and soaked in its warmth. The water cleansed her body but could not cleanse her mind. Silas was there as she closed her eyes. He was there ripping at her shirt and screaming out for her. Always there. And always hungry.
Serena slipped into the borrowed clothes and exited the bathroom quietly.
Atlas stood, leaning against the wall, arms crossed and half asleep. At the sound of the door, his eyes flipped open and he scanned the room. His eyes rested on her and he swallowed.
"You finished?" He asked, his voice thick.
"Y-yes." She stammered as she hobbled toward the bed.
Atlas scooped her up and laid her on the bed. He wrapped a cold towel around her leg and pulled a fur up to her bruising chin. His knuckles brushed against her skin and warmed her face. The fire of his touch tingled her skin and she looked up at him, eyes wide and vulnerable.
"You need to rest. I'll grab the ice from the kitchen. Wait here." He began to leave again.
"Don't," Serena demanded, her voice was quiet but fearful. "Don't leave me."
Atlas turned and kneeled at the edge of the bed.
"You're hurt. Let me help you." His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, as he stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"No. I can't be alone." Serena's eyes were wide.
"Okay." He nodded and slid into the bed with her. "Then I will be sleeping here with you."
"Okay." She scooted over to him and pressed herself close. Atlas froze and stared at her shivering figure. He slowly slid an arm around her and pulled her close against him. He stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. Within minutes she was asleep, but Atlas remained holding her until he too was overtaken by sleep.
The rain doused the fires through the night until there was nothing left but smoldering ashes in the morning. The straggler wolves from the attack were picked off one by one by the sand-colored wolf as it prowled the smoking woods. It evaded the patrols and continued its hunt further in the woods.
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