Thread: The Shifter's Claimed Bride-Mate (Ruphhausin & darkangel76)

Elana felt her breath catch, her heart stopping as the shifter looked into her eyes and began to speak. A strange knot formed deep within her belly all of a sudden. Creating an odd burning sensation that slowly began to build. As her tummy fluttered, she blinked her eyes several times. Her vision blurred slightly as she did so, her eyes watery from tears, cold and wind. Terrified and unsure, she just stayed quiet as the shifter-man said his peace, her eyes reluctantly tearing away from his so as to focus on his mouth as it moved. The shifter's tone was firm, but not harsh. It held a manner of deep-seated emotion, but Elana could still hear his own version of logic laced with every syllable he uttered. On their own, her eyes drifted back up to meet his once more, as if they'd beckoned for her to stare deeply into them. The silvery moonlight was still dim as it was full dark. But despite the darkness enshrouding them both, she somehow was able to make out more of his features. Slowly, Elana's mind processed more of what this shifter-man had to say. He brought up a history that caused her eyebrows to furrow, knitting together thus showing her confusion. The story to which he alluded, she knew it well. Had grown up hearing it so often she could recite it word for word. Her great grandmother had been betrothed to a terrible man, a shifter. She'd been the supposed key, or so her people had thought, to uniting the two warring kingdoms, bringing about a true peace they hadn't known for decades. The truce they'd had, had always been an uneasy one and the day her family broke the agreement was the day fate had been decided. Her great grandmother had fallen in love with another before she'd met her betrothed. Soft hearted and wanting happiness for their daughter, the hope had been that the shifters and their followers would understand, help them find an alternative plan for union. Was what this shifter-man saying true? Was it? Elana found herself not knowing. Somewhere someone was lying. That much was plain. But who? And why? And Elana shook her head, hot tears rolling down her cheeks as she choked on a small sob that bubbled up and escaped her lips. Sir she whispered, her eyes pleading. But the shifter did not break his speech. It was clear that he believed in what he was saying. Had her great grandmother truly been betrothed to another human not a shifter? Then Confused and frightened, Elana just looked at her abductor, this shifter-man who was rewriting the history she knew and grew up hearing. Her mind began to swirl, trying to determine who had lied and why. As she looked into his eyes, listening to his final words, she found herself almost starting to believe this shifter. Pain. Yes, pain. She could hear it ever so slightly in his voice. His relatives lived. And she wondered if she'd ever be brought before them so as to prove the apparent truths he claimed to be speaking. Just then, a shiver worked its way down her spine. If this shifter's family had been a pawn and she now being delivered to another human, not a shifter, then Her eyes widened as she realized she'd be brought before the relative of the man her great grandmother had supposedly been betrothed to a human man. Shivering from cold and fear, Elana could feel her heart racing. It was pounding so hard she could almost taste it in her throat. As she looked deeper into this shifter-man's eyes, she tried to make sense of everything. Suddenly, he mentioned something that made her tilt her head. The humans she was to be delivered to didn't know he had obtained her. Why? All of a sudden, Elana felt her tummy flutter once more. The shifter reached out and touched his fingers ever so lightly against her face. The caressing brush was gentle, so very light. It made her skin jolt with a strange tingle at the sudden contact. When he finally pulled away, she found an odd sense of loss. One she couldn't explain let alone understand. Shaking her head, she just remained silent for several minutes. Elana wasn't entirely sure where they were any more, but she knew she'd never be able to face life the same way. In a matter of hours, this shifter-man had taken her from her home and family, rewritten her history and now was planning on giving her over to a man he knew to be terrible. For honor? She understood loving one's family, but could he really wish potential harm and unhappiness on an innocent to prove that? Given her situation, she had no choice but to believe that. But the way his hand had felt when he'd touched her face A part of Elana couldn't believe that this shifter could be capable of such things. Yet, he'd told her as much and showed no signs of altering his plans. Though, she wondered, why he hadn't sent word of his success yet. Just then, a small part of her held out a hope. Though, despite that hope, she could still feel the fear, heavy and looming, about her as it squeezed her heart and body like a death shroud. Sir, Elana then began, her voice soft and low. Why would your people be made pawns in a generations long war? She could hear her voice beginning to shake and waver as she spoke. I thought they ruled my neighbor, I her voiced trailed and she bit down on her lip. Is turning me over to these terrible humans who used you going to truly right any of the supposed wrongs your family has suffered? I am an innocent in this. I cannot help from whom I was born. She was crying now though she found herself hardly worrying any longer. She was frightened and confused, her mind reeling with questions. Please, sir. Why? Just then she paused. And why haven't you sent word already about your success here. Why not be rid of me and seal my doomed fate. Why wait? Why? Elana just stared at the shifter, her eyes sore as her tears fell. She knew she must sound ridiculous, but it didn't matter any more anyway. Her fate had been altered, decided by another. Everything had been taken away so why should she care any longer? Better to let the tears come and fall. Better to let the emotions out. Only then could she find a way to hopefully cope and bear the unhappiness life surely had in store for her now.