Loved by the Beast

shining brightly overhead. But what caught my attention was the figure standing over me. It was the beast, but it was

muscular, with piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. I let out a loud shout, scra

I took a step back, trying to create some distance between us. "Leave me alone!" I shoute

or help. The man seemed to sense my fear, and he took a step closer to me. I backed away,

till fixed intently on mine. "My name is Dalton,"

nd calm. "Can I go home now? Can you please let me go? I really have to go. Everyone's going

"I saved your life, girl," he said, his words cutting off my plea. "You were bei

he save my life? I had so many questions, but before I could ask any of them, Dalton continued speak

lling the truth. He had saved my life, and I owed him my gratitude. "Thank y

e, girl," he repeated. "But for you, I'm going to let your debts

collect on his debt. But before I could thank him again, he spoke up. "I have no intention of keeping you her

pain starting to set in. I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Dalton. "Thank you," I said again.

ryone's going to be looking for me, especially Cole. He's going to be frantic with

stay here with him. I needed to get back home, to let everyone know that I was safe. I slowly

etermined to try. I slowly stood up, using a nearby tree for support. I took a deep breath, preparing myse

d. I stumbled and staggered, my injuries making every step a painful one. But I refused to give up

. But all I saw were trees, their branches looming above me like skeletal fingers. I stumbl

sting with fear. What was wrong with this forest? Why were there so many creatures that seemed to want to eat

closed my eyes, preparing for the worst. My last thoughts were of Cole, of the life we had built together. I whispered a silent prayer,