Aoife trembled as she slowly, reluctantly, approached the den where she knew Ragnvard was waiting. She refused to regret visiting Tendaji, the male made her feel again, gave her hope for a future that did not involve torment and pain under Ragnvard's claws. But that future was still a very long way away, and for right now she had to face her master at his most malicious. Not only had she been gone far longer than her errand had warranted, but she had failed in the task given to her. Still not very good at gathering food, he had sent her fishing, and predictably she had failed miserably. Though honestly she was still glowing inside from seeing Tendaji which helped take the edge of her fear as she padded slowly and carefully up to Ragnvard’s den. Slowly because she really didn’t want to hasten to her punishment, and carefully because she was still so sore from the last time. Open wounds littered her skinny body and her paws left slightly pink prints behind her.
Finally she could delay no longer and with a shaky breath, she rounded the corner and slipped inside. Hoping against all reason that he actually hadn’t noticed her absence.
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Unfortunately for Aoife, he had not only noticed, but had already been in a foul mood when he had sent her out to hunt for him. Now, as she returned, he was ready to do some serious damage if only because his fury burned like hot iron in his veins.
Growling low he paced back and forth, tail flicking with vicious intent as he spat and hissed to himself. “Who does he think he is? That ******** flower-blooded Lucivar. He doesn’t deserve the damned title of Captain! How the hell did he even become one anyway? God damnit I would love to rip his lilly-livered throat out!” Claws raked along the stone floor of the den, cutting yet more scratches into the already deeply scared rock. Suddenly lashing out, claws shredding a random fur that just innocently happened to be in the line of fire, Ragnvard snarled, so angry his fur felt like it was burning, as if a million fire ants were crawling under his skin, biting and stinging.
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His furious ranting reached the mouth of the cave where Aoife cowered, having managed to make it all the way to the entrance but simply could not force herself into the den and into the path of Ragnvard’s temper. Trembling, tail tucked up against her belly and head low, she tried desperately to slink inside unseen. But her shuffled steps were far from silent -not that he could possibly hear anything over his mad cursing- but she also tripped over a small rock and the resulting clatter was enough to catch the big male’s attention.
With a violence that shocked even her, he flew round to pin her down with one huge paw, his claws extended and digging into her thin hide. Instantly weak trickles of blood darkened her fur as his claws pierced her. Trembling she gazed helplessly up at him, bloody paws scrambling against the floor even though she knew there was no hope of escape.
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“Where have you been!” He roared, fury making his voice boom around the den, causing the female under him to cry out in fear. Yet her obvious submission wasn’t enough. The fire-ant pain only intensified, driving deeper into his body, burning along nerves and eating at his flesh. In fury he ripped his claws down her fragile body, watching dispassionately as fresh red blood flowed over her white fur. The sight of it made him growl darkly but it did ease the agony of his fury. Allowing a cold smirk to curl along his muzzle he narrowed his eyes at her, daring her to stand, to defy him. Even though he knew she would not, indeed, that she could not. She was too weak, both physically and mentally, to try.
Lowering his muzzle he breathed hotly over her face, letting her get a good look at his glistening fangs. “And I see you failed me as well… slave. There is no fish. Such a simple request and yet you defy me. I wonder if you like this….” He watched as her eyes widened, fear so stark within those lovely dark orbs. He half considered taking those eyes of hers, but then she would be utterly useless and he was loathed to loose a slave, even one as useless as her. Regretfully he dragged a claw down the side of her cheek, watching the blood flow. “Be grateful I am letting you keep your eyes, pretty one.” He murmured, voice husky and deep, more suited to courtship than the current situation, but no one had ever accused Ragnvard of being a nice lion.
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Shaking, her breath coming in desperate pants as she fought against the panic that threatened to over whelm her, she stared helplessly up at the male above her. Trembling as fresh pain flowed over her flesh, drawing a burning line down her face, almost reaching the corner of her glistening, tear-filled eye. She had no doubt what Ragnvard would do if he felt like hurting her more than usual. She had quickly discovered just how sadistic he could be when enraged. Closing her eyes tightly against his darkly amused smile she struggled to swallow the helpless sobs that slipped from her.
Please… please… please… She wasn’t even sure what she was begging for. Whether it was for him to finally kill her, or for some kind of divine intervention so she could escape. The only thought she could hold onto was a name… Tendaji…
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Lazily he watched her shake in terror. She had shut her eyes as if that would protect her, tars leaking down her now bloodied winter-white fur. Lifting his paw he nudged her head over, forcing her to expose her throat to him. Passive she lay limp as if dead, with only the constant trembling to prove otherwise. That and her harsh, terror-laden breathing. He could practically see her heart pounding away in her chest. It almost amazed him that she hadn’t simply died from her heart exploding. For it surely seemed as if it were trying its best to break free.
Smirking he huffed hotly at her throat, watching as her entire body went tight and stiff. Good, she remembered the last time he had put her like this… Though he had no intention of killing her just yet he needed that submission, that abject terror from her. It soothed his rage, quieted the fire burning within his skin to see her completely at his mercy. Opening his jaws wide he lowered his head. The softness of her fur between his teeth made him want to bite down, to rip her throat and watch her blood soak the stone under them. But….
Reluctantly he released some of the pressure, listening to her wheezing gasps as she fought against blacking out. Once he thought she might actually be in danger of succumbing to unconsciousness he released her throat entirely, letting her head drop to the stone with a thud. Shifting to stand over her he smirked, another kind of excitement thrumming through his veins now, replacing all that hate and fury. It was time she remembered just who she belonged to.
(Word count = 1,232)
