Shelli Rosewarne

Hi all,

Well, we’re creeping towards weekend. It’s a free read day, so I’m sharing part two of my short read, Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? If you’ve read Scarlett Legacy you may recognise the back story. Hope you enjoy 🙂

Scarletta’s eyes briefly closed in pure relief. “Please, let her go. She’s an old woman; she hasn’t done anything to deserve being harmed.”

He smiled, and it wasn’t a nice smile. “It is our way, as it has been for generations.”

“People can change though!” she said, desperately, “You don’t need to do something just because that’s how your ancestors did it!”

He gazed at her a long moment. A shiver went down her spine, and it was only part fear.

“Even if I did agree with you, the old woman is pack property now. I hold this pack by force and strength. We give nothing away for free.”

Panic was setting in now. “Well, what if it wasn’t for free? What if I gave you something else instead?”

Something dark and dangerous flashed across his face and she took an involuntary step back. He smiled again and this time she saw the tips of his fangs peek out.

“You,” he said.

“Excuse me?” She blinked, her mind refusing to process.

“That is what I will take in exchange for your grandmother’s safety and release. You will take her place.”

Scarletta flinched, but she’d known what she was getting into when she’d come here. Her eyes squeezed shut but she forced herself to nod in agreement. A light touch made her jump and as her eyes flew open he tilted her chin with one finger to meet that deep amber gaze.

“I want to hear you say it.” There was a dangerous note in his voice and his eyes held her captive.

“I swear that if you let my grandmother go unharmed that I will take her place.”

He nodded once and released her so quickly that she felt her knees sag. She was vaguely aware of him shouting sharp commands and of the other men scurrying to follow them but she was struggling to focus past the rising terror of her own thoughts. This was how her life was going to end. She was never going to have her own home, or family, or see anything of the world outside of her little village. She knew her grandmother would be furious at the choice she had made, but then she would have done the same thing if the situation had been reversed. Her arm was taken in a hard grip, and she knew who it was by the heat that coursed through her, a brand on her skin. She forced herself to raise her head, meet his gaze. She didn’t want to die as a coward.

“When are you going to kill me?”

He smiled. “I didn’t say anything about killing you.”

Bewilderment filled her eyes as she stared at him and he leaned down, bending over her. His hot breath on her neck sent shivers running through her and his voice dropped until it was barely above a raspy growl.

“You’re mine now.”

What do you think? I had originally left it there, but am thinking of possibly expanding it. If you’d be interested in reading more then let me know 🙂

Take care x