*****

Isabella Carson

Running from a big male lycan isn't easy. Trying to lose the lycan who marked you was like trying to lose your shadow. I managed to get into the woods. The soft bed of mossy earthy ground crushing under my feet. I whipped around tree branches, ducked under large ones, and yet he manages to keep close.

I am sure he can catch me like nothing but to my sheer confusion he was just remaining behind me. Far enough to give me space but close enough to catch me if I do something irrational. I huffed and stopped to hold a large tree branch back. Malcolm didn't realize what I was doing. My lycan giving me extra strength. When he was close enough, I released the branch, smacking him in the chest. He fell to the ground.

I shifted back and glared down at him. Fully aware that I was completely naked. We ran almost all the way around his territory several times. Now, we were in the deep woods alone. Farther away from the castle and courtyard.

He shifted immediately after seeing I shifted. He stood up with ease like I didn't just knock him over with a tree branch. His golden eyes peering down at me.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He growled, stalking towards me in his naked glory.

I glared up at him, propping my hands on my hips. I was very aware how naked we both were but it wasn't like we both haven't seen each other naked.

"I told you. I don't want to see you or talk to you." I angrily snapped.

"You disobeyed my orders. You stepped out of the bedroom when I told you to stay inside." He raised his voice in warning.

"I wouldn't have stepped out if you would have just left me alone!" I snarled back and spun on my feet. I stalked further into the woods. I can hear him following me. I threw up my hands in the air and turned back to look at him.

His eyes were still flaring with fury but a hint of lust glimmered behind them. It will be when hell freezes over that he gets to touch me right now. I am not ready to fall apart underneath him. In fact, he can go back and find his little play toy and do what he needs to do.

I stomped towards him and punched his chest then I punched his stomach. Pain shot through my hand on impact but I clenched my teeth and punched him again in the stomach.

Bad idea.

I think I broke a bone or two.

All the while he stood and allowed me to punch him. He wasn't even swayed. I placed my palms on his chest and pushed him.

"God! You really piss me off! Just leave me alone." I growled defeatedly before turning on my feet and walking in the opposite direction.

I didn't even get five yards in before I was grabbed from behind and pushed up against a tree. The bark digging into my back. My feet now not touching the ground. I was lifted into the air by Malcolm. He adjusted our position until he had me firmly trapped in his arms.

"Stop, Bella." He ordered.

"No!" I cried out. "You don't get to use 'Bella' on me."

"Fine. Mo leannan (my lover)." His eyes sparkled with amusement for the first time since I been here.

I turned my face away. I will not fall for that look. His hand cupped my cheek and turned me back to look at him.

"I like it when you are jealous." He whispered huskily. His eye dropping down to my lips. He leaned down and his lips traced my right cheek.

"Malcolm, stop." I pushed on his chest and struggled in his arms. Eventually, he let me go. I pulled back and hugged my body. I am fully aware that my body now has goosebumps all over. My nipples are hardened and ready for him.

He took one step towards me but I shook my head. "I can't do this. I am not strong enough to see you with another female. I will be your prisoner but if you are seeking the bed of another, I beg you to leave me alone. I'll live as your prisoner but no more."

He didn't say anything but listened.

"I admit it. I am jealous. I am possessive. I can't see you with another. I am begging you, if you have any ounce of care left for me, please don't do this as a form of torture for me." My arms tightened around my mid-section.

He took the last step towards me and took hold of my elbow. He brought me close and his hands cupped my cheek.

"Bella..." He whispered softly. His voice hoarse with emotions. He had his eyes closed and I couldn't see what he was really feeling. "I will never hurt you."

When he opened his eyes, it literally took my breath away. It was like I was staring back at him. The Malcolm that I knew.

"She approached me. I told her off. I didn't expect her to wrap her arms around me, Bella. Know that I will never intentionally hurt you." He assured me tenderly. His hand caressing my cheek while one still had a hold on my arm.

"Your body..." his hand moved from my arm to skim my curvy side.

"Your body is all I need to satisfy me. I don't need another female." He murmured huskily. His eyes darkening with lust and possessiveness.

I knew where this was going to lead. The look in his eyes told me what exactly he wanted to do but a sound in the bushes caught our attention. Immediately, he moved to shield me. I hid behind his back.

The bushes rustled some more and when I peeked around him. My body froze with a new kind of emotion. Fear.

Lycan Leader Gregory stood before us. Dressed in a plain V-neck t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His auburn eyes might mine and a slow smirk appeared on his face. Earning a growl from Malcolm.

It was then I realized how close we were to the border of Malcolm's territory. Malcolm's tightened around me, letting me know to stay behind him.

"Malcolm, is it?" Gregory asked with a raised eyebrow. "Man is it hard to get through your land but you two made it so much easier. It was fun watching you two touch each other but..."

He waved his hand in the air. "Nonetheless, I believe you have something of mine. I can see you have been using her. She's great, isn't she? But I need her back now. I will overlook this small little matter if you hand her over."

"Gregory." Malcolm snarled his name disdainfully.

Gregory smirked, "I see she has talked about me. I am flattered, really."

His voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I felt cold and pressed myself closer to Malcolm.

"You think it's that easy? To walk on my land and not expect to get killed?" Malcolm replied in a cold voice.

"She's just a female. Hand her over. Malcolm, you know that this will be easier if you did. You and I would not have any problems." Gregory retorted but his voice held a note of irritation.

Malcolm laughed but it was a cold, detached voice. "But you see that's the problem. She's mine and I'm not handing her over."

Gregory's composure broke for the first time. An angry snarl came from him.

"You don't know who you are dealing with." Gregory sneered, his voice distorted between his lycan and him.

"I think I have a pretty good idea. The real question is, do you know who you are dealing with?" Malcolm growled, his voice also distorted with his lycan. It was almost a threatening animalistic sound.

The two lycan leaders were losing control fast. I wish I can do something to stop this but I knew that Malcolm would get angrier if I did. I remained silent. Malcolm walked me over and hid me behind a tree. One dark look for him told me he wanted me to stay put.

"A fight for her," Gregory said as his eye moved to find me.

Malcolm snarled, getting Gregory's attention.

"I don't fight that way," Malcolm replied.

Gregory smirked, "Scared you will lose?"

Malcolm grinned back but it was malicious. Slowly, he shook his head.

"No. I don't take losers. I kill. You will not survive. In fact, you made this easier on me. I was watching for you. Hunting you but you were like the prey that just fell right into my lap." Malcolm's voice changed, a shiver ran down my back. He sounded dangerous and like the lethal lycan that he was.

Gregory's eyes flickered with uncertainty for the first time. His eyes finally took a second take on his opponent. Gregory was just as tall as him but Malcolm was a lot stronger. 

Gregory and Malcolm fought in their primal forms. Their lycans clawing and biting, fighting to win. I stood far away and watched. A part of me wanted to intervene. This was my fight but I knew there was no arguing with Malcolm. He was going to be the one to kill Gregory.

Gregory manages to swipe on Malcolm's back. Malcolm let out a roar of pain before ripping Gregory's head off. It was horrific and gory. His body falling to the ground. When Malcolm shifted back. I saw the huge gash on his back.

I rushed to his side and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. It was kind of hopeless as he was so much taller than me. He was in pain but can still walk. He allowed me to help him back towards the castle.

"I am sorry, Malcolm." I felt guilty for getting him hurt.

He glanced at me weakly through his eyelashes that framed his face. "If you're sorry then don't run away, Bella..."

"I wasn't running away...I was trying to get away from you. I needed space." I mumbled.

"I get it but know that I am not that type of male, Bella. I wouldn't turn to another when I have you already." He sounded a little weak and I can tell he is really speaking from his heart. It didn't sound like he was lying to me.

We made it back to the territory and to the courtyard. Damon came running when he saw us.

"Jesus, Izzy. Did you do this?" He looked surprised as he helped carry Malcolm.

"No, we were attacked. Malcolm killed Gregory. Help me get him inside. He needs to rest."

After getting him back to his bed and cleaning and dressing his wound, I sat on the edge of the bed and caressed his cheek. His eyes flutter a little and I wasn't sure if he was awake or asleep.

"Give me another chance...I want to prove to you what I really feel for you." I whispered softly. After I removed my hand from his cheek to go to the restroom but he stopped mine from moving with his hand covering mine. I turned back to see him looking at me.

He had heard what I said.

"And what is that you feel?" He asked weakly.