Running towards the hut I could hear my father screaming, as loud crashes and banging sounded from behind the closed door. Coming to a stop by the door, I found my hand hovering over the wooden handle. It shook with each cry that fell from my father's lips. Taking a shaky breath, I clasped my hand around the wood, only to be pulled away. Turning to the person who now held my own in a vice-like grip, Gabriel stood before me with a blank look on his face."Come." He said before tugging me away. Giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, he pulled me away from the sound of my father's screams and the sound of banging.The sounds felt as if they were following me the further away I got from the hut. I hadn't seen my father in three days, not since he went to a neighbouring village to sell a few of his weapons. I hadn't known of his return until I overheard a few people talking about him. They said father had rushed in with his horse, Scraps, before jumping off and running towards the house. The
Running through the woods, I welcomed the adrenaline that coursed through my veins. Gritting my teeth, I fought the tears that kept falling from my eyes. My mother had left us. She had left my father and me. I knew something was wrong with her the past couple of days. Whenever I tried to play with her, she would look at me with disgust.Ever since she had returned from selling her gowns at a nearby village, she had acted weird. She had not unpacked her gear or taken me to the village like she usually did. She was cold. No longer was the loving feeling I once got from her received with open arms.Pushing my legs faster, I fought to find her. An elderly man told me she went into the woods after fighting with my father. Sobbing, I screamed out for her but was greeted with silence.Coming to a stop in a small clearing, I gazed up at the night sky. Rain pelted down from the dark clouds, soaking my white nightdress. Crying into my hands, I started to shake."Mummy!" Sniffing, I turned aroun
I stared wide-eyed as Gabriel advanced towards me. He looked angry, no he looked beyond angry, and with every step Gabriel took, I couldn't help but feel he was going to turn into a beast. I wasn't sure why I had yelled at him, and at this moment I honestly couldn't care. I had to remember why I was even in the Choosing, to begin with. I had to find Sharlee and if I had to use Gabriel, then so be it. He and I hadn't seen each other for a long time, and considering I didn't know anything about this whole Chosen thing, I wasn't about to let myself fall for him again. Long gone were the days we were kids and I would fantasise about being his. Right now, we were adults, and I knew what I wanted from my life. I needed to help my father and if marrying Matthew was the only way, I would swallow my pride for my father. Right now though, I needed to keep with my plan of finding Sharlee. I had seen Sharlee's family mourn the loss of their daughter for months, and I wouldn't let my father go
Since the night the young girl was found, all women and children were to be home before dark and to not travel alone. This meant Matthew stuck to me like a bad smell. Although I promised my father I would go on with this marriage to appease him, I still found myself longing to run into Gabriel's arms. I hadn't been able to see him for five days now, and those five days felt like hell.My body would always heat-up of a night time and with the new moon approaching it felt like it was getting worse. Five days, that's all it took for my body to crave his presence and five days we were in peace. At least that's what we all thought.When I woke that morning, I found my father seated beside my bed. He looked like he was deep in thought, and the longer I gazed at him the more I noticed he seemed tired. "Father?"The sound of my voice caught him off guard, causing him to jump slightly but he masked his surprise with a bright smile. "Good morning, Annabelle. Did you sleep well?"Nodding, I just
So many voices could be heard inside my head, but every time I tried to decipher what they were saying, they faded. It was as if something in me didn't want me to know what was being said. Frowning as the voices faded from my mind, I felt someone gently place a kiss on my forehead. Groaning at the sudden feeling, I slowly opened my eyes.Everything around me was bright, and as I continued to blink away the sleep that had taken me, I noticed a blurred face in my vision. Continuing to blink, the person's face cleared. As I stared at the person in front of me, I felt my stomach churn.Smiling down at me with relieved eyes was Matthew. I had hoped to see the one person I had seen last night before I welcomed the darkness. Frowning, I gazed around the room. "Where am I?" This wasn't an area I knew.With a long sigh, Matthew handed me a glass of water. "You're in my room."Chocking on the water I had about to swallow, I stared at him with wide frantic eyes. Why was I here? Why could Father
"Anna!" Turning around at the sound of my name, I spotted my father running towards me. Pulling me into his arms, I felt his body shaking slightly, as I wrapped my arms around his waist."Father, you're shaking," I whispered.Nodding, I felt his head move into the crook of my neck. "I couldn't find you... I thought..." Father was unable to finish his sentence as his shoulders began to shake uncontrollably. "Where were you, Anna?"Pulling back, I turned to where Gabriel was once standing, only to see he was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished without saying goodbye. Frowning I turned back to look at Father, placing a smile on my face, I whispered. "I was with... Gabriel."As soon as the words left my lips, my father frowned down at me. With a shake of his head, he looked towards Matthew. "I can't have you here anymore, Anna. I'm sending you and Matthew to the nearest town."I stared at my father for a few seconds as I tried to register the words coming out of his mouth. Surely I had he
Glaring at the older male in front of me, I felt a chill run down my spine. How did he know my name? More importantly, how did he know we were going to be here? Quickly glancing around the forest, I couldn't help but silently call for Gabriel. I was praying that he would somehow come out of the woods and help me. At least I hoped he would, but then again he probably thought I left him."I must say you are gorgeous." Licking his lips, the male took a step closer. Gripping my hand, Matthew held out his sword. "One more step and I will end your life."Laughing the intruder, raised his hands. "I wouldn't want that to happen... besides, I'm sure this lovely creature wouldn't like to see your end."Taking a step forward, the male stopped before his attention was taken by the sound of growls behind him. Following his gaze to the intruders, I spotted the black wolf with silver eyes I had grown to yearn for. Just at the sight of the wolf, I felt safe, as my body began to feel weak.A sudden mo
The sound of skin breaking open filled my ears as my stomach began to ache. Even with my eyes closed and the red and black picture behind my closed eyelids, I could still see the scene play out. The look on Matthew's face as he noticed what he had done. The way he lay on the ground, unconscious from the blow to his head. The dream felt so real that even as I breathed, I could feel pain.Eyes wide, I gazed up at the ceiling as I tried to steady my breaths. Turning my head slightly, I felt the soft silk fabric move with my actions. Covered in what looked like expensive white silk blankets, I felt all my aches and pains slowly disappear. I was laid in a comfortable four-poster bed, with the gold silk curtains pulled around me, shielding me from whatever waited beyond its wake.Taking a deep breath, I felt a small twinge in my stomach, causing a little whimper to leave my lips. Pushing the silk away from my body, I gazed down at my naked chest. Although I had on my undergarments, the clot