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

Elana felt her tummy lurch slightly when the shifter slowed them down to a halt. That hope she'd been desperately clinging to was about to present itself. She had no doubt about it, but she had to wonder why coming face-to-face with that suddenly felt so unnerving. So terrifying. At that, her heart began to race, pounding beneath her breasts as her breathing sped up, a sign of her fear and worry. Her eyes locked onto the shifter as he checked something he held on his person before finally turned his attentions toward her. The moment his eyes found her own, Elana thought she'd never be able to breathe again. Her heart stopped for what seemed an eternity, though had only been a beat or two. Though she couldn't make out his face or see his eyes clearly, she knew he was looking into hers, seeing into her soul. Something about that was oddly comforting despite the terror she felt washing over her entire body. Shivering, shaking, she finally let out a gasp when he moved to place a hood about her head. Did this shifter just show a gesture of care and kindness? Elana was about to mumble a soft 'thank you', but her words were stayed when the shifter suddenly spoke. His words were harsh, full of seething apathy bordering on what seemed to be hatred. But, she didn't know this manshifternor had any idea as to what he was talking about. Betrothed? Apologize? Surely, he was spouting lied told by generations. Wanting to make an innocent pay for something that had nothing to do with her. Did it? Elana knew the story regarding her great grandmother. How she fell in love and followed her heart. What barbaric culture couldn't understand that? Couldn't accept the fact that her elder relative loved another. It was cruel to have held her to such expectations when her heart had already belonged to another. Besides, the shifter she'd been promised to was a terrible man, a feared man. Was it worth quashing true love for a life of imprisonment with someone who had no care for them? No. It wasn't! Elana's body just shook, both from the cold as well as the fear. Still looking into the shifter's eyes, she began to shake her head in disbelief. She was completely dumbfounded at how his people wanted her to uphold something she had no part in. Surely, her parents hadn't made the same promise her great-great parents had all those years ago. And even if they did, surely they had to have been forced into such an obligation. Her parents wouldn't have promised her to another, especially some shifter after everything that had transpired between the two kingdoms. They valued the ideals of love. Didn't they? You must be mistaken, sir, Elana suddenly spoke as the shifter re-mounted his horse. Her words were shaky and laced with fear. I have not been promised to anyone, she added, knowing that she needed to have an answer there, whatever it may be. And what sort of people would hold such a grudge over the actions of following one's heart? She was being bold now and she knew it. But despite how bold her words were, the terror behind them was evident. But even still she had to know. Surely, you'd follow your own if you found love Elana's words trailed just then. Could these peoplethese shifterstruly love? Their past actions proved otherwise. And given her current situation, she found herself starting to doubt, losing that hope she'd been clinging to only moments ago.