0 comments/ 12155 views/ 1 favorites Melani Rising By: Mpulse Melani felt her master explode between her lips. She swallowed every drop, knowing that anything less would result in a severe beating. She looked up in hopes of seeing the satisfaction in his eyes that she had put there. Instead she saw his right hand flying toward her. She felt the impact of the blow on her cheek as she flew across the floor. Her naked body skidded across the tile and she could feel the burning across her exposed body from the friction. She wanted to moan, to scream, to cry. She did nothing but wait. "Stupid bitch! Worthless slut! You will never look me in the eyes again! I will kill you if you ever dare to look upon me without my permission!" He roared. "Return to your chamber. Tomorrow we travel." She rose from the cold tile and made her way to the door. She closed it quietly behind her. Once outside his presence she leaned against the cold stone wall, breathing deeply to absorb the pain he always brought to her. Tomorrow the traveling began. She would be his for the two weeks it took to get to Finsell. Then who knew what would happen to her. If he favored her at the end of the trip she would be his. If the Gods favored her she would be dead. She made her way through the corridors back to her quarters. She was among the privileged. Her room was separate from the others. The four stone walls were as cold as her master's heart, but they were her walls. She laid her body down on the stone floor. Perhaps if she could please him he would allow her to have a rug to lie on. She had made it through nineteen summers. She didn't expect to make it through another. Summers here didn't matter anyway. The land surrounding this keep was as cold and harsh as her master's heart. She laid her head on the stone tile and said her mantra. Take my spirit away. Free me of this pain. Set my soul to the wind. Restore me. As she said her silent prayer she fell asleep. They were on their way before the first light of dawn had cracked the eastern sky. The carriage jarred her body, but she was thankful to be inside the transport rather than exposed to the elements as some of the less fortunate were. She was lucky he chose her. Yes, lucky. "Bitch," He roared, "Come to me. Please your master." Melani crawled from under the bench he sat on and squatted between his thick legs. He had already exposed himself for her and she carefully took him into her mouth. She stifled the gag she felt each time she touched his flesh. The feel of him, the taste, and the smell...All these things appalled her, yet she had to endure. Until the Gods decided her fate. Her hands behind her back, she worked her tongue over his manhood. She parted her lips and took him into her mouth working slowly to make him last. This was the only time she had any control over her life. She was determined to use it to the fullest of her ability. He moaned and placed his large hands on the back of her head. "Yes, my slut," He growled, "Suck your master's cock." Melani felt a tear roll down her cheek and prayed he would not notice it. If he did he would punish her. She worked her mouth over him, taking him in and out slowly, feeling his hardness throb against her tongue. She felt his cock jerk as his cum filled her. Another tear rolled down. Nausea filled her body. "Enough!" He roared as he pushed her away. "Begone from me now. I have no use of you." Melani crawled back under the bench beneath him and huddled against the back of the carriage. How much longer could she last? As she huddled against the hard wood she sought solace in sleep. Melani's head hit the top of the seat. She flinched and shook her head. What was going on? She felt the carriage twist and turn, felt her body thrown against the bottom of the seat. Then she sprawled in a heap near the door, the roof of the carriage beneath her. Her master's body sprawled over her, his weight bearing down on her. She fought for breath as she tried to pull her body from under his crushing weight. Her fingers pressed against the carriage top as she struggled to pull herself out from under him. The top of her chest pulled free and she was able to draw a deeper breath. She twisted her body from side to side. One hip free. Now the right leg slid loose. She wrapped her fingers around the door latch and pulled fiercely, her lips twisting up and her breath coming out in a hiss as she struggled against him. Her left leg popped from under his oppressive weight. Free. Her body was free. She twisted the latch and pulled her body from the carriage. She squeezed her eyes shut as they tried to adjust to the harsh light. She felt cold spots touching her body, fading away as rapidly as their feathered touches. Snow. Slowly she opened her eyes, squinting at her surroundings. The carriage had toppled over a steep ledge. She could clearly see the treacherous path it had taken on its downward spiral. The main road lay above her, the face of the rocks too sheer to climb. She saw a figure standing above her on the road staring downward. One of the guards, she was sure. This was her chance. Taking a deep breath she hurried to the front of the carriage. She found the coachman face down; his body in a position only possible after death. She quickly removed his jacket and placed it over her naked shoulders. She did not have time to remove anything else, save his boots. She would not delay in an effort to be better prepared. She would rather die cold and naked and free that live another day of this life. She slipped the boots over her feet and tried as best she could to keep them on. They were quite a bit bigger than she was but they would do. She slogged away from the carriage, heading in the opposite direction of the road, hoping to put distance between her and the guard above. If she were caught she would be dead. "I would rather be dead," She thought to herself, "May the Gods forgive me." Melani felt as though she had walked for days. Her teeth chattered against each other. She was so cold. She wrapped her arms around her chest to try to keep as much heat inside her as she could. Her breath came out in ragged, steaming gasps. When she walked away from the carriage Melani had entered a thick forest of dark imposing trees. They were taller than any tree she could remember. At first she was terrified of the dark trees. With master gone there was no one to take care of her, to keep her safe. As she walked she found comfort among the trees. She sensed a calmness and serenity that had been lacking within her for so long. She felt warmth among them. As much comfort as the forest provided, the fields she crossed into induced fear. Everything was open. She felt exposed for all to see. The fields did nothing to break the weather. The wind reached into her and frosted her soul. The snow was coming down now, lightly at first but building in intensity. She rushed toward the rock outcropping she could see in the distance. Rocks walls would provide some cover. The snow was coming down so hard when she reached the rocks that she could barely see her own hands in front of her face. Melani's body was so weary she didn't think she could keep going. She walked in between two of the mighty stone outcroppings and felt the wind break away. She leaned against the rock to catch her breath. She was so tired. She walked on despite her weariness. Night would fall soon. She had to find cover somewhere or she would likely freeze to death. Her foot slipped on the ice covered rock and she tumbled to the ground. Melani lie there, her body aching. She looked up and saw the dark opening in the rock to her right. She pulled herself over to it and looked in. It was a cave! The opening was small but she was confident she could enter it. In the cave she would be safe from the weather. She was used to the stone of the castle; it surely could not be any worse. She worked her shoulders through the opening in the rocks. It was tighter than she expected and for a few minutes she thought she would be stuck there, half in half out. Finally her shoulders made it through and she was able to pull her hips in. She slid down the shallow ledge to the cave floor and breathed a sigh of relief. It was warmer in here. She could survive the night within this cave. She could only hope the guards had given up searching for any survivors. As her eyes adjusted to the limited light she could make out more details. The entrance she used to get into the cave was only the smallest part of it. The cavern rose up above her probably thirty feet. The area she was standing on was flat and at the far edge of her view it seemed to drop off. To her left she could see steam rising. That explained the unnatural warmth she felt. Melani walked over to the rising steam. It appeared to be a spring of some sort pooling in the rock. The steam was warm, inviting. She could not resist. The coachman's jacket slipped from her shoulders as she kicked off the boots. Her feet were sore. She could feel the blisters on them as she slipped one foot, then the other, into the pool. She shivered as the inviting warmth seeped into her body. She tipped her head skyward and sighed, silently thanking the Gods. The water was luxurious. She rubbed her hands over her body. Every spot she touched ached. She slipped her body under the water and felt the grime running from her body. She eased her head above the ripples and leaned back, soaking in the warmth, relaxing. She closed her eyes and nodded off to sleep. She awoke to the sound of the wind roaring past her. She tried to blink the sleep from her eyes as she looked for the source. A rasping, grating noise filled her ears. "Not the wind," She thought as her mind adjusted to the sound. "Breathing." She felt a large hand wrap around her throat and raise her from the water. The creature stared at her. She had never seen one before but she knew what it was. A Brayer. They had talked of them at the keep, their ferocity. They were human but not easily recognized as such. It was much larger than her, larger than most men. Its hands were the size of her head. Its hair fled from its head as if seeking escape. Long, knotted ropes of hair hanging passed its shoulders. Its mouth was larger than hers and filled with jagged, rotten teeth. Its eyes were those of a wild beast. The Brayer tossed Melani against the cavern wall. She hit so hard she felt her teeth slam together. She tried to crawl away, the rock digging into her knees as she scrambled, then it was on her. The Brayer's large hand tangled in her hair and pulled her head back so far she feared her neck would snap. Its head brushed her cheek. "Mine," It hissed into her ear. It positioned itself behind her and she felt the brush of its cock between the cheeks of her ass. She tried to scream but could not find her voice. Melani felt its cock push into her. She crushed her teeth together as a tear ran from her eye. It was massive, easily the biggest she had ever felt. The Brayer let go of her hair as it pumped into her. She could hear it grunting as her knees crushed into the cavern floor, its weight threatening to break her. Her tears stopped flowing. She would not break. This man thing could not break her if she did not let it. She refused to allow any satisfaction to enter her body, refused to be used by any man ever again. This Brayer may satisfy its needs but it would never satisfy hers. It pumped into her quickly now, rasping and grunting as it reached its orgasm. She felt it's cum squirting into her body, flooding her. She could feel her own heat rising but she refused to acknowledge it. "I will not be used again," She repeated in her mind. The creature pushed her roughly away from it. She collapsed on the floor of the cave, her vision blurring. The last thing she saw was the Brayer walking over to her and lowering its massive frame to her face, staring at her. Before she lost consciousness she remembered what she saw in those eyes. Awareness. Melani Rising Ch. 02 Today was Melani's eighteenth birthingday. It had started as a great day, her family arriving from the neighboring villages to join in her celebration of womanhood. Even her aunt Trudi had come from Vail, a distant city Melani had only heard of from travelers and any correspondence aunt Trudi took the time to send their way. Melani had always loved her aunt Trudi and looked forward to the rare times she would come to visit. Trudi was never afraid to state her mind and had the eclectic personality of one who refused to conform to anyone's lifestyle in order to gain their respect. Trudi had the full body that came from mature womanhood and Melani had always envied that. Melani had been in this very room when Trudi arrived. She had been fastening the last button on her birthing dress when the knock came at the door. She opened it wide to come face to face with aunt Trudi's glorious smile. Trudi bustled through the doorway and wrapped her arms around Melani. "Oh, look at you," Trudi went on, "You have grown into a perfect woman! Has it been so long since I saw you last?" Melani blushed. "It hasn't been that long aunt Trudi. A few summers. You were here when Momma passed. You and father were up 'til dawn making arrangements for us." Trudi averted her eyes for a moment. "Yes, your dear mother," Trudi began, "Merin would be proud of you, Melani. You have been through so much. And there is so much ahead of you. I have something for you." Trudi led Melani over to the window seat and sat down next to her. She removed a small, neatly wrapped package and handed it to Melani. Oh, aunt Trudi," Melani smiled, "I am so happy to see you! That is gift enough." "Hush, child," Trudi replied smiling back, "I could not come to you on a day like today and not offer something of myself. Open it before I jump out of my skin from the wait." Melani tugged the ribbon from the package and unwrapped the box. Inside stood a small box crafted from leather. Lifting the lid she gasped. Inside lie a tiny silver dagger hanging from a chain. She lifted it out of the box and held it up to the light. The dagger spun on its chain as it caught the light and cast it outward. At first glance it appeared silver but as it captured the light it seemed to cast all the colors of the rainbow forth. There were runes carved into the small silver sheath the blade was nestled in. Melani gazed intently at the symbols but did not recognize the language. "Aunt Trudi, it's wonderful! Thank you," Melani placed the silver chain around her neck. The dagger nestled between her breasts, chilling her flesh from the cold metal, causing her nipples to momentarily harden with the change in temperature. "I thought it might come in handy," Trudi said, "In the days to come." Melani frowned at Trudi. "What do you mean, in the days to come?" Trudi gripped her hands. "Your father has surely told you," Her voice trailed off. Both women jumped as the door flew open. Melani's father stepped in to the room, a sneer on his face. Trudi and Melani rose to meet him. Melani felt the cold sting of his hand against her face as she fell back on the bed. "Father?" Melani's voiced trembled as she touched her aching cheek, "What is the matter?" She struggled to rise from the bed but she could not. Something was holding her in place. It took her a second to realize Trudi had a hold of her shoulders. "It's best not to fight this, my dear," She said. Trudi moved her hands off of Melani's shoulders and wrapped them under her chin. Trudi's forearms touched Melani's cheeks and her hands linked under Melani's chin to hold her immobile. Melani did not understand what was happening. Her father stepped to the foot of the bed. "You evil little bitch," he spat as he spoke, "Your mother's death is all your fault. Had it not been for your evil ways none of this would have happened." As he spoke she could feel Trudi's fingers working their way down her throat, along the curve of her breasts. Her hands followed the curves of her breasts, trailing along the underside of them and lifting them up slightly. Melani could feel the warmth of her hands even through the fabric of the birthingday dress she wore. Trudi's forearms continued to lie across her shoulders and neck, forcing her down into the mattress. Suddenly her father reached out and grabbed the dress where her beautiful breasts met. He took one side in each bear like paw and pulled with as much force as he could muster. The material ripped as the buttons pulled loose, flying away to the four corners of the room to strike with such an impact she thought they must have lodged in their surroundings. Although her mind was reeling from all that was going on, she continued to look at those hands and think how little they looked like the ones her father had used the evening before to slice the bread. "No more," Her father panted as aunt Trudi continued to fondle her breasts and speak in hushed tones of the greatness to be bestowed upon her. "You took my love away from me," Her father snarled as he gazed down at her, a desire she had never seen now present on his face, "And I shall have that love back. You shall take her place in the kitchen and in our bedroom." Melani blinked and her father was over her, no longer dressed, his weight pressing against her. She could smell his breath, like something filled with rotting meat. His flesh seemed to change as he spoke to her. "You will learn to love what I am doing," He sneered, spittle running down his lips to land on her cheek as she fought his grip. She could still feel Trudi's hands on her breasts, somewhere between her father and herself, Trudi's nails digging in to the soft flesh of her breasts the more she resisted. She shook her head to try to dislodge the spittle and her father was gone, replaced by the Brayer. She felt the beast forcing her legs open. Its massive hands held her wrists against the mattress as Trudi continued to caress her breasts, occasionally tweaking a nipple, a smile of rapture on her face. She felt the tip of the Brayers maleness along the inside of her thigh, so hard and insistent. She felt wetness between her legs. Why was she so wet? The Brayer reared up over her as its hardness thrust into her. She tried to scream, it was so large, but she felt Trudi's lips covering her mouth, quieting her efforts to be rescued. The Brayer's massive hard on slid into her, spreading her so far she thought she would be split in two. She felt it thrusting in to her as the tips of its fingers dug into the flesh of her shoulders. Trudi was no longer touching her but she could still hear her voice whispering of the greatness to come. She struggled to rise, bucking her hips and thrashing her head from side to side. The creature took it as a sign of encouragement and thrust deeper, harder than before. Melani felt as if she were in a dream, outside of her body, as her hips rose to take the beast ever deeper into her body. As the creature exploded into her body, filling her with its seed, she felt her own orgasm overtaking her, spilling warmth into her, and a satisfaction she had never felt. The beast collapsed on her, its weight threatening to steal every breath that remained in her body. Its lips brushed against the side of her cheek as it spoke. "You will always belong to me, little slut." That voice. She opened her eyes to gaze into the face of the emperor. Melani screamed. She struggled to rise from his weight, the weight of her father, the weight of the beast........ Melani gasped as her eyes flew open. Darkness was everywhere. She was in the cave. A dream, it had all been a horrible dream. She was covered in deer skins, the weight pressing against her and filling her with warmth. She struggled to work her way out from under them, sweat covering her body. As her eyes adjusted to the light she noticed a pile of something next to the skins. She gagged as she realized what it was. Deer meat, left out for who knows how long, raw and rank. She had no aversion to eating meat; she could not eat it raw. She used her foot to scoot it as far away from her bedding as she could. Her eyes searched for the Brayer. It was nowhere in sight. She was surprised that it had gone to the trouble of covering her, trying to locate food for her. She shuddered as she remembered her dream, of the beast forcing itself into her, and of the previous day when the creature did take her. Anger filled her as she wiped a tear from her cheek. "Stop this," She thought to herself, "Crying will not save you. The emperor no longer has you. While this beast may think that it now owns your flesh you have a mind, and the flesh is still yours to command. You are a free woman if you choose to be." She searched her surroundings for a way out. She walked toward the opening she had used to enter this cavern. It sat on a ledge far above her head. She could not reach it from the floor of the cavern. Nor did it appear as large as she remembered. She did not think her body could squeeze through it now. As she walked around the cavern floor looking for a method of escape she thought of her dream. It had seemed so real, yet most of those things hadn't happened. Trudi had come to her and given her the necklace. She still had it, the only possession she still owned from her previous life, and only because it pleased the emperor. She wore it around her waist now, as he had ordered. Her father had never attacked her, never tried to have his way with her. Her father's biggest betrayal had been when the guards came. He had allowed her to be taken by them, away from her family, to become a slave to the emperor for the rest of her days. While not the same, she did indeed feel violated. Melani stopped. She found herself standing on a platform not far from the pool of water she had bathed in before the beast took her. The limited light cast shadows along the corner behind the pool, leading downward. She walked over to that far wall and found a path leading away from the pool, down into the unknown. Placing one hand against the cold stone of the wall, she stepped down into the blackness. The path curved downward at a narrow degree, so slight that it would not be noticeable by most. Melani was attuned to everything that was going on around her now, her fear and desire for freedom so great. Down she went, surrounded by darkness and the occasional glimmer of light from a pool or a crack in the high walls allowing the faintest trickle of sunlight to enter and be swallowed. Her foot slid on loose pebbles as she turned a corner and sunlight poured over her. An opening in the cavern ceiling allowed a small area of light to flood the cavern. She squinted and blinked, the light too much for her now that she had become accustomed to the darkness. As her eyes adjusted she noticed another path veering off to the right. This could be her chance. She quickly made her way toward it. As Melani made her way toward the path she heard a skittering noise over her shoulder. She turned, her eyes taking in her surroundings quickly. She saw nothing and sighed, her nervousness overtaking her other senses. As she stepped into the passageway she ran into something hard. She gazed up into the face of the Brayer. Quickly Melani hopped back and began to run for the opposite side of the cavern. She made her way up a ledge and turned to watch the beast behind her. The Brayer lumbered in to the cavern, a distant, confused look on its face. It carried a bundle of something in its arms. It staggered as it entered the cavern, shook its head, and stepped forward again. It stopped suddenly to turn and look directly at her. Melani could feel its eyes burning into hers. The beast made a mewling noise and collapsed, its bundle spreading across the cavern floor like flotsam carried in with the tide. Melani knew this was her chance, if she was only brave enough to take it. Melani Rising Ch. 03 Melani had been sitting on the ledge for what seemed like days. Below her the Brayer lay on its stomach, twitching occasionally and making moaning noises less often. She had sat here, waiting, fearing it was some kind of ploy on the beast's part. She knew that made no sense, the creature was much stronger and faster than she and could have easily caught her before she ever made it to the ledge. Something must be wrong with it. Now was her chance. She crept from the ledge and approached the Brayer warily. The beast's fingers grasped at the cavern floor as if grabbing something and holding it tight. It made odd noises deep in its throat and settling in its chest, but it made no attempt to rise. Melani felt the anger rising in her over what the beast had done. This creature had taken her without her permission, as she had been taken so many times before by the emperor and his men. The anger seared through her as she lashed out at the Brayer, kicking it in the ribs and pummeling its back with her fists, tears no longer flowing from her eyes, just the venom of the abuse she had suffered. When the rage subsided she rose and walked toward the newly discovered passage. As she reached the entrance she saw the bundle the Brayer had brought in with it, dropping it before collapsing in a heap. "Raven berries," She thought, staring at the branches bundled near the Brayer, "It gathered up raven berry branches." Ravenberries were rare in these parts, among the sweetest of the berries in the land. Praised for their sweetness and how filling they were and in the highest of demands at peak season, this was still many months away. How the creature had come across these was beyond her. It must have known she would not eat the meat it had left and gone to get the berries for her. Her hands rested on each side of the opening that could lead to her freedom. Melani's head dropped between her shoulders as she sighed. She turned to the beast. Over the next hour Melani worked to turn the Brayer over. At first she was afraid to touch him; Afraid he would rise and take her again as he had the day before. She touched him and jumped back. Nothing. Burying her fear deep within herself she grabbed the shoulder of the creature and pulled. It took all her strength to turn the Brayer over on its back. The Brayer's face was covered in a sheen of sweat and its lips moved but no sound came out. His large hands opened and closed and his fingers trembled. Melani rushed back to the pool she had soaked in the day before and pulled a kerchief from the coachman's coat she wore. She soaked it in the warm water and placed it in her pocket as she went to the deerskins on the floor. She pulled the skins forward with her into the room where the Brayer lie. Melani sat on her knees gazing down at the Brayer. She was out of breath from moving the deerskins. She had forgotten how far she had traveled in the short time, from that first cavern to this, almost to freedom. She took the handkerchief out of her breast pocket and rang it out over the Brayer's forehead and cheeks. The water trickled over his flesh and he made grunting sounds, but other than that he did not stir. After regaining her breath Melani made several trips to the first cavern to fetch more water. She continued to wash the Brayer's face, cheeks, and hair. It seemed to her that the Brayer was a puzzle within a puzzle. The more she studied him the more confused she became. For instance, his hair, which hung in rows like corn flower plants that had received the blessings of all-father sun for too many days were intricately braided with small beads every so often, carved with runes like none she had ever seen. When she had washed his face she had allowed some of the water to trickle into his mouth to satisfy his thirst. His head twisted in search of the source, greedily lapping it up. During her first encounter with this beast she had thought his mouth was filled with fangs, or teeth decayed to the gums, but his teeth were sound, solid, and without defect. They had been covered with grime, perhaps that caused her confusion. She had begun to cleanse the rest of his body, starting with his chest, but he was so caked with mud and debris, and his body seemed so solid, so hard to her touch, that she stopped. She just wanted to make sure it would survive, nothing more. As soon as she was sure it would recover she would be on her way. Melani's stomach growled. The last time she had eaten was more than a day ago. No wonder she felt so weak. She pulled the raven berries over and began to pluck at the branches. The berries burst on her tongue as she began to chew, filling her with their warmth and sweet flavor. As the juice ran down her throat she sighed with satisfaction. They were better than she remembered. As she chewed the delicious berries she watched the Brayer. The beast spasmed tossed its head from side to side fighting a battle only it could comprehend. She watched its chest heave, its hips arch upward. His chest was so broad. She remembered the day before, how he had taken her, how large he was. She felt the arousal beginning and shook her head. Now she was identifying this thing as male, she thought to herself. This thing was nothing more than a beast, like a panther or a boar. The Three Sisters had to be watching her now, shaking their heads. Her stomach was no longer growling and she felt fairly full. Her bones ached from all she had been through the last two days. And she was so tired. Slowly she lowered herself to the cold stone and let her head rest on one of her arms. As she lay there she stared at the beast as sleep overtook her. She opened her eyes to a murmur. She felt arms around her neck pulling her down. She felt the soft flesh beneath her as she began to enter this beautiful creature. She could feel the body beneath her, undulating. It was strong, firm yet fleshy. And definitely female. . As her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the chamber she became aware. It was a Brayer. She was making love to a female Brayer. She shook her head as the creature thrust upward. She could feel its warm flesh enveloping her, merging with her flesh. She groaned as she felt an orgasm wrack her body. Melani felt the beast beneath her shudder in time with her own orgasm. She slipped her head out of the arms of this creature and leaned back. She could see the creature more clearly. It was large, like the Brayer she was familiar with, yet feminine. She could make out the curves of its ample breasts. Could feel the strength emanating from it. And she could see its smile. She was about to say something when she heard the commotion in the corridor. She turned toward the entrance... And she was in the forest. She heard the screaming even over the great distance. She turned toward it and began to run. This can not happen, she thought to herself. He ran quickly through the forest, dodging trees and underbrush as he went. No, not he, her, Melani. She rushed into the clearing and saw her. She stopped at the edge of the forest, staring forward, eyes not believing the sight. Slowly she stepped toward the corpse of the female Brayer. Melani gazed into the lifeless eyes. She knew her. She had made love to her. This creature that had been so full of warmth, of life. Now this. She gently wrapped her arms through the Brayers arms and across her back and lifted her to Melani's chest. She wept. She turned her head up to the moon and howled. He howled until the mourning had passed and all that remained was anger. He surveyed his surrounding and looked for a trail. There! He could see the broken twigs pointing him to his destiny. He turned to look back at her, one last glance..... And he was walking through the caverns, howling, growling, slashing at all things in his path. He had the vague recollection of being told to come here. He did not care. All he wanted was for this craze to leave him. He wanted freedom, either in life or in death. He tipped his nose to the air. A smell wafted on the slim breeze that reminded him of his love. Quickly he set out to follow the scent. He traveled for over an hour, the scent getting stronger with each corner he passed, each cavern he wandered into. The scent was so strong now it was overpowering. He heard footfalls and slowly crept forward, peering into the next cavern. He saw her. She was naked. One foot was dipping into the pool next to her. He stared at her, breathless, fighting the madness in his mind in an effort to better understand what he was seeing. She seemed to radiate beauty. She was surrounded by a soft, golden glow that fed his desire and fueled his madness. Her beauty made him growl deep in his throat. She was slim, more petite than what he was used to. But that tiny waist made her breasts all the more impressive. They stood proudly away from her body, firm and strong. He could smell her body, her sex, and he could feel it overpowering his other senses. She lowered the other foot into the water. She turned her head toward the ceiling of the cavern and spread her arms. Her back arched and he clutched at the cavern rock so hard on seeing her delicious curves he broke several of his nails. Slowly she lowered herself into the water. He watched as she rubbed her hands along the curves of her cheeks, leaving a trail of water behind. She rubbed her shoulders, the curve of her breasts, and her hands disappeared into the water. Slowly she lowered her head beneath the steaming water and he moved. He lunged forward from his hiding place and perched behind the spot where her head had vanished. He sat back in the shadows anxiously awaiting the return of her golden glow. Slowly her head broke the surface. She tipped her head back on the ledge surrounding the pool and closed her eyes. When her breathing leveled off he crept forward and stopped inches from the back of her head. He sat there and stared at her, taking in the scent of her, for a long time. He felt his desire for her building. It had been a long time since he had mated and his body betrayed that. He could feel his body responding to her closeness, her scent. He could feel his pulse quicken, his breathing deepen. He could feel awareness returning to her as her breathing turned shallow. She twisted her head from right to left. Each twist exposed one breast from the water, waves rippling around the nipples as they were exposed. He could take no more. He wrapped one hand around her neck and pulled her from the water, turning her to see her body. The golden glow was still there, emanating from her every pore, overpowering him and sending blood to his massive erection. Her body was not what he was used to, much smaller and more frail, but the curves of her body made up for that and he could sense a hidden strength inside her, a strength he craved to possess. As his eyes roved her body he made it to her face. What he saw there made his blood boil. Her lips were full, her eyes, her eyes were the color of honey. What he saw in them made his anger rise. Fear and loathing. She stared at him with such a look of disgust he could not bear it. He threw his arms out and cast her against the cavern wall. That was when the beast took over. She tried to crawl from him but he would not have it. He would make her his. She belonged to him. He wrapped a large hand into her hair as he pulled her back to him, back against his hardness. He tipped his head back as he entered her and howled. He could feel that golden glow filling him, taking him, flooding through him. His body convulsed as he had orgasm after orgasm until he was spent. He pushed her away as he rose from her body and watched her collapse. He lowered his face to hers and watched closely. He must provide for her. She needed food and he had to care for her. She was too frail to hunt, to weak to overpower the things that would prey on her. He turned to walk back in search of food, and roared. He was sitting up in the cavern, but he should not be here. He was disoriented. No, not he, she. Melani was back in the cavern. She remembered everything that had happened, everything she had dreamt. She turned to the Brayer. He was staring at her, looking at her as if he were measuring her, testing her. She rose on her hands and pushed herself away as she rose to a standing position. She crossed her arms over her chest and paced back and forth. She had to go, had to take her chances out there. She moved quickly down the passages, moving with a speed she didn't know she possessed. She wasn't sure where she was headed, but she felt strongly this was where she was supposed to go. Suddenly she stopped. She walked on slowly, feeling a sudden dread in every pore. Then she heard the soft growling. Turning her head slowly she saw the boulder wolf looking down at her, fangs snarling. She could sense its desire, it's longing to claim her as its next meal, seconds before it leapt. Then it was too late. It was in the air, her hands flying to her face in an effort to protect herself.