Disclaimer: I do not own Little Red Riding Hood

His head snapped up and his eyes went wide. Flashing a dangerous shade of green he ran on all fours as fast as he could. Slowing from his energy sapping speed he lowered himself and peered through the tall grasses and shade casting trees, sniffing the air. His eyes caught a flash of red and he knew it was her. He stayed where he was, low in the grass, sniffing. Shouting began and others tearing through the trees in search of their escaped hostage. Snarling he burst from his hiding spot and tore after the nearest attacker, taking down those closest to Red's trail before running after her scent, a now familiar quest.

He caught up to her easily, as she had collapsed. He nudged her cheek, her entire body was bruised and bleeding and her usually skinny figure was now even thinner, her bones protruding and her skin paper thin and barely stretched enough to cover her small body. Her dress, while already short, was ripped so much it barely covered her and her ruby red hair was matted and caked with blood. Two dogs burst into view, snarling and snapping their jaws at him. Clearly hunting dogs for the party chasing them, they eyed the two with a vicious hunger. He snarled and snapped back, his hackles rising and his ears flat against his skull. Keeping the two hunting dogs in his vision he managed to get Red on his back. Backing away he snapped at them once more before breaking off at a run. The two dogs chased him, howling and snapping at his heels. He kicked them off and ran faster. The dogs fell behind but he didn't slow down, he kept going until he collapsed by a stream. Shifting back to his human form he went over and gulped down water, splashing his face and then bringing Red over and splashing her awake. She sputtered and sat up with an angry expression on her face. "Master." He said with a smirk. Her eyes went wide and she flung her bony arms around his neck hugging him.

"You came back for me." She said finally letting go and gulping down water and taking deep gasping breaths.

"Well I figured if I saved you you might consider taking this off." He said tugging on his collar.

"Was that the only reason you came back for me?" She asked looking like she believed that was the truth. He looked into her eyes for a long time. He seemed to have been making excuses to come save her the whole journey but now here he was faced with that exact question. Was it just because this collar clashed with his style? Or because it signified that he was bound to her and he wanted to be able to make choices for himself. While he did crave freedom like he craved breathing he still questioned his need for a division between them.

"Just take it off." He said. She seemed unchanged by his dismissing tone and did as he asked. He felt suddenly swept up in his freedom, able to do anything he wished a broad smile appeared on his scarred face. He changed to his wolf form and tore off into the foliage. She sat by the lake, looking into the water and feeling serene. The hunting dogs would catch up to her soon and she had no strength left in her to fight them. Resigned to her fate she splashed some water on her face, feeling the dried blood and caked grime begin to slowly crumble away as she repeated her actions.

Finally the dogs burst through the tree line followed by a man who must have been over seven feet tall. In his boulder sized hand was her axe, although in his hands it looked more like a toothpick. He lumbered over to her, and raised the axe over his head. She lowered her head, accepting her fate.

A blur of black and flash of green and the man fell, dropping the axe and causing the two dogs to yelp and run away.

"I want a name. And to be treated like an equal not a pet. And I want-" His demands died on his tongue as she once more collapsed. Sighing, he gathered her into his arms, looking down at her sleeping face as he cradled her in his arms. She was so small, light, delicate, vulnerable. Her arms went around his neck and her head rested on his shoulder and he wondered if it was a conscious decision or not. Leaning precariously with her in his arms, he managed to scoop up her axe before he walked off into the woods, the moon's reflection just peeking over the horizon to shine in the water.