Unrelenting: Not yielding in strength, severity, or determination

Book I: Fate's Fury

Chapter 1

To be put to the test so much in her life, you would think that God would give her a break! To have insurmountable odds be thrown at her left and right since the day she was born was just a way of life to her now. So when yet another appeared before her, she tackled it, just like every other time. It didn't matter that this was an odd occurrence that was never supposed to happen in the first place. This was something most looked for all their lives, but never attained. This was a misplaced string in the event of time. This was fate...

She woke up screaming, a hand clamped firmly over her mouth. She lashed out, leaving deep gashes into whoever had a hold of her. She thrashed, terrified, kicking her legs and swinging her fists. But it was to no avail. The person was just too strong. She was jerked out of bed, her feet never touching the floor as she was kept even with the person's face. Terror went through her at the thought of her boys, one sleeping beside her and the other in the crib. She looked into the black obsidian eyes boring into her, the person's hot breath fanning her face. Silently praying that he didn't harm her children, she stayed still once those bottomless depths trained their sights on her. It was silent in the room, the only sound was the harsh breathing from herself, and the deep breaths coming from the man holding her over the floor. Then she heard something that made horror course through her, widening her eyes. Her oldest, the one sleeping in her bed, stirred. Oh God! She started thrashing again, even harder this time, terrified that the man would kill her son. He jerked her to him, his teeth flashing as he snarled. The fucking man snarled! His teeth flashed in the darkness, and she could practically feel the strength coming off the man. She grabbed the hand covering her mouth, the grip on her face bruising. She tried to pry his hand off, but all it did was make him tighten his hold. A whimper came out, and she pleaded with her eyes, asking him not to harm her boys. The man pulled her closer to him, their faces inches apart. He was practically growling at her.

"Why," the man's voice was low, his tone deadly. "Do you have pictures of me?"

She stared at the stranger, slightly confused. The moon decided to come out then, shining thru the window. It hit the man's face, throwing his features into stark contrast. Her eyes widened. Oh God! It can't be!

"Answer me," he growled, his voice deeper.

She narrowed her eyes all of a sudden, looking pointedly down at his arm, his hand still gripping her face. There was moment of total silence, before he loosened his hold, letting her fall to the ground. She landed hard, a choked gasp coming out. She scrambled up a few seconds later, putting her body between the imposing man in front of her and her children. She rubbed her throat, watching the person like a hawk.

"Please don't hurt my boys," she croaked, taking another deep breath.

She watched the man study her for a moment before flicking behind her, glancing at the two children, practically still babies, sleeping in the same room. His gaze went to her again.

"Answer me," he growled again, his teeth seeming to be clenched. She heard the rustling of clothes, moments later the man's face appearing inches from hers. She jerked back, a gasp coming out of her. She felt the bed dip as he rested his hands on either side of her, waiting for her answer.

"I..." she paused, not real sure what to say that wouldn't get her killed. She swallowed with difficulty, her breathing ragged.

She sucked in a breath when her oldest son sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Mommy," he said, his voice still laced with sleep.

She couldn't move. Her eyes stayed trained on the man in front of her, not wanting to make any sudden movements in case he decided to attack. She felt her son move on the bed, the covers rustling as he shifted.

"Who are you?"

Her eyes widened when the man's gaze went to her son, his eyes narrowing. He didn't say anything. A cry came out of her as she watched the man lift his hand, jumping in front of her son.

"Don't hurt him," she whispered desperately, her breathing haggard from fear.

The man paused, the sound of clothing moving reaching her ears as he straightened, his jaw clenching. He suddenly reached forward, grabbing her by the front of her shirt, pulling her towards him. She heard her son gasp behind her.

"Mommy! Leave my mommy alone!"

Her son lurched past her, punching his little fists into the man's arm. She watched as the man paused, looking down at her son, his face impassive. He let go of her shirt, his arm falling before he turned towards her boy.

"No!" she shouted, jumping against the man, trying to prevent him from touching her children.

She vaguely heard the grunt come out of the man as he fell, his back hitting the floor. She landed on top of him, hitting him in the chest.

"Don't you dare touch my kids!" she screamed, feeling his hands land on her thighs. She didn't pay attention to it, just beat the crap out of his chest, trying to at least knock him out to keep him away from her babies.

Her wrists were seized in a bone crushing grip, a second later she was pushed off the man, a cry of pain passing her lips as she landed on her arm. She got up, taking a deep breath. She glared at the man slowly standing, his posture straight.

"Don't touch me woman," he sneered, his arms crossing over his massive chest.

"Don't touch my kids," she countered, watching his eyes stray to the now fully awake boys huddled on the bed, watching him with wide eyes.

He suddenly moved forward, hitting their necks. A scream came from her, watching both of her kids slump onto the covers. Tears clouded her eyes as she jumped up, running towards them. She was grabbed around the waist, the man's hot breath on her neck.

"I didn't kill them," he snapped, not letting his hold on her loosen.

She watched, sorta dazed, as he reached with his free hand and grabbed the boy's shirts. She started struggling, not sure what this man's intentions were. Oh God! What if what he planned was worse than death!? That thought had her thrashing violently, hitting and clawing at the arm around her waist. She heard the man mutter a curse, dropping her boys back onto the bed and grabbing both her hands. Her arms were pulled away from her body, her breathing coming hard. She sucked in another breath, registering the armor digging into her shoulder blades, the grip on her wrists firm but not bruising. Neither said anything, their breathing harsh in the quiet room. Another soft sob escaped her at the sight of her boys on the bed, knocked out. The man moved, wrapping his arm around her again, making sure to pin her arms to her sides this time, and picking up the young boys again. She kept her eyes on her kids, her focus zeroed on them, not even blinking when her world abruptly disappeared around her.

A/N: I know the first chapter is kinda short! But most are anyways, couldn't think of how to make it longer, to 'set the table' for the story.

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