Page 9 of Surrendered to Mate

The explosion rocks the forest, sending a shockwave that nearly knocks me off my feet. Heat sears my back, and I curl tighter into myself, protecting my head as debris rains down around me. The acrid stench of burnt flesh fills the air, making me gag.

As the initial blast subsides, I cautiously peek out from behind my shelter. Where the thlii once stood, there's now asmoking crater. Bits of charred flesh and bone litter the clearing. My stomach churns at the sight and smell.

Then I remember the winged stranger. Panic grips me as I scan the area, searching for any sign of him. Did he get clear in time?

There! A flash of white among the scorched underbrush catches my eye. I rush over, my heart pounding.

He's sprawled face-down on the forest floor, unmoving. Those impossible wings are crumpled beneath him, bent at odd angles. Blood trickles from a gash on his forehead, stark crimson against his pale skin.

I drop to my knees beside him, reaching out with trembling fingers to check for a pulse. His skin is cool to the touch, unnaturally so. For a moment, I fear the worst. But then I feel it – a faint, slow throb beneath my fingertips.

He's alive, but unconscious.

I sit back on my heels, conflicted. Every instinct screams at me to run, to get as far away from this strange creature as possible. But I can't just leave him here, helpless and hurt. Whatever he is, he was fighting against that thlii. That has to count for something, right?

Plus, I need answers. What is he? Why was he fighting that thlii? And why did it seem like the beast was being controlled?

I can't help but stare at the unconscious figure before me. He's unlike anything I've ever seen - and I've seen some strange things in these woods.

His features are impossibly perfect, like something carved from the finest stone by a master sculptor. Corded muscles ripple beneath skin so pale it's almost translucent, giving him an otherworldly appearance that both fascinates and unnerves me.

And those wings... they're unlike anything I've ever seen before. Massive and thick, they fold against his muscular back as a perfect extension of him.

I can't help but stare, my eyes tracing every line and curve of this strange, beautiful creature. A small voice in the back of my mind warns me to be cautious, but I'm too captivated to heed it.

My hand reaches out of its own accord, fingers brushing against the soft feathers. They're surprisingly warm to the touch, and silky smooth. The man shudders at my touch, a small groan escaping his lips, but he doesn't wake.

I snatch my hand back, heart racing. What am I doing? I should be running as far and fast as I can from this... whatever he is. But curiosity roots me to the spot. I need answers, and this might be my only chance to get them.

My eyes narrow as I study him more closely. He's completely at my mercy right now. I could tie him up, make sure he can't hurt me when he wakes.

Maybe in another world I would want to help him. But right now, I have to think about me. I won't be caught off guard again. I won't let anyone take me or hurt me, not ever again.

But first things first. I need to get him somewhere safer than this scorched clearing. The explosion will have drawn attention, and I don't want to be here when whoever - or whatever - was controlling that thlii comes to investigate.

My mind races with questions. What is he? Why was he fighting that thlii? And most importantly, is he a threat to me?

I don't know the answers yet, but I intend to find out. One way or another.

6

CASSIUS

Icome to slowly, my head throbbing with each heartbeat. The pain is intense, like a thousand tiny needles stabbing at my skull. Darkness surrounds me, pressing in from all sides, an inky blackness that seems to swallow everything. I try to move, but my limbs won't respond.

They feel heavy, as if weighed down by invisible chains. Panic surges through me, jolting me fully awake. My breath comes in short, sharp gasps, and I can feel my heart racing, pounding against my ribcage.

What the fuck happened to me? Where am I? The questions swirl in my mind, adding to the disorientation and fear that's gripping me.

My eyes snap open, adjusting to the dim light. A cave. I'm in a fucking cave. The musty scent of damp earth fills my nostrils, mixed with the acrid tang of smoke from a dying fire. Shadows dance on rough stone walls, cast by flickering embers.

I attempt to push to my feet, but ropes bite into my flesh. My wrists are bound behind my back, ankles lashed together. The coarse fibers chafe against my bare skin. Bare skin? Fuck. I'm half-naked, my chest exposed to the cool, dank air.

Instantly, I am fighting to get free, and pain erupts up my back. My wings. I try to extend them, to wrap myself in their comforting embrace. Pain lances through my left wing, drawing a hiss from between clenched teeth. It's still there, but damaged. Broken. As if I didn't heal at all.

The inability to move freely sends a fresh wave of panic crashing over me. My breath comes in short, sharp gasps. I struggle against my bonds, twisting and thrashing, but they hold fast. The ropes tighten with each movement, digging deeper into my flesh.

"Fuck!" I spit the word out, my voice raw and hoarse. It echoes off the cave walls, mocking me.