Anastasia's P.O.V.-
All I could do was gawk in disbelief. He's here…. he actually came for me.
Christian's eyes immediately locked onto mine. Though I was stark naked right laying right in front of him, he didn't peak down at my body; not once. Instead he straightened up slowly, shut his eyes, and gave the most relieved, tender sigh I've ever seen. It was such a strong, emotional sigh that I heard it from where I was.
His eyes reopened with the upmost gentleness and stared back down upon me. They were low and very sincere, like he was admiring a masterpiece in a famous museum. His stare didn't dare stray from me once- not once. Even when he began to remove his shirt, his eyes returned to me as quickly as they could, constantly absorbing me like two sponges.
I guess neither of us were paying the appropriate amount of attention to Lincoln; not as much as we should have been. I was the first to notice his hand reach out to grab Christian from behind. "Christian!" Was all I had time to shout before his shirt was flung at me. "Sorry if it's bloody! Please wear my uniform!" He hollered out to me as he struggled to keep Lincoln from nabbing his wrists. My wolf was able to get a swift kick in, sending Lincoln stumbling back a few steps. Christian! I couldn't help but watch in utter awe as this wolf so desperately protected me. Of course, seeing Lincoln bare his fangs and claws at Christian sent my protective instincts into overdrive. I was suddenly filled with the innate desire to fling myself in between the two just so Lincoln wouldn't- or couldn't- hurt Christian. But instead of doing that straight away, I felt I had to ask first….
"Christian, why are you here?! Are you hurt?!" "Uh? There are so many reasons, I can't begin to say them!" "Get away from her. Don't touch her; she's mine!" Lincoln wiped the corner of his mouth as he viciously bared his teeth at Christian. Lincoln was going into protective mode too, but this was totally different from Christian's protective instinct. My abductor was still in beast mode; any feelings of protection he had for me were akin to protecting one's food or resources. It wasn't "me" he wanted to keep from Christian; it was my meat Lincoln craved so badly. What's worse: I'm pretty sure Christian knew this. He didn't hesitate to growl back at Lincoln, securely stationing himself in between me and him. They had their claws pointed at one another. For an animal like me, it was terrifying to witness; but I was no longer concerned for my welfare. Everything was directed at Christian now.
Christian's P.O.V.-
"Get away from her. Don't touch her; she's mine!"
Mine. Wrong thing to say. I think I already knew coming up the stairs but now I'm sure. He's gonna die; I'm going to kill Eric Lincoln- the bastard who dared to steal, even look at my mate. We collided, our hands grabbing each other's trying to stop the other's, all while Eric tried to snap at me. I managed to dodge his first attempt but, in the process, gave him the opportunity to slug me in the gut. Before I knew it, I'd flown back a few feet but didn't hesitate to retaliate the favour.
Punching him back turned out to be a bad move. Eric caught my arm and immediately bit down into it. Anastasia screamed but honestly, I didn't feel it. I just wanted to keep his attention off her; I never wanted him to look at her again. Look at her with that lust in his beast-mode eyes. While he continued to chew down on my arm, I struggled to break free from his powerful jaw. Of course, everything instantly changed once my mate got involved again.
My heartbeat could be heard throbbing in my ears as I sensed her scramble closer to us. "No! Let him go!" She pleaded with Eric. Anastasia! My eyes opened so wide… Out! She's got to get the hell outta here. Forget about me, Anastasia; forget about me and run for it! I'll keep the way clear for you; just leave! Now, I thought all this in my mind, not speaking out right away. That happened the moment she begged Lincoln again. "Please stop! You're hurting him!" Tears ran down the sides of her cheeks as she desperately clasped her hands over her heart.
"Anastasia! Run away! Go while there's still time! Hurry!" It was my turn to do the begging. It was like she didn't hear me, however. She simply pleading and crying at Eric to let me go. I could detect the neon, glowing pinkness in her scent- her protective instinct was kicking in for me. All my primal senses went crazy when she went to try and force his mouth off me. Somehow, my knee was able to rise up, effectively knocking his jaw off my arm. And the single moment I was free, my body practically flung itself between them again. I stood firm in front of her, acting as her own personal shield; I wasn't lying when I said I don't want him even looking at her. Never again.
Eric's eyes were entirely red, and his breathing was heavily yet silent. I'd never seen such a sinister, hateful look in someone's eyes before. "You've just made the biggest mistake of your life," he growled threateningly. I didn't say anything, still standing protectively in front of Anastasia. I knew he was the one who was going to die, but I had to be careful about the situation. It wasn't me Eric was really after; it was my mate. I had to be careful… I took a step towards him. I had to fight like he does; like a real wolf. "You have a jaw- use it. And turn the focus of your beast-mode from wanting to devour your mate to protecting her. You may not eat her, but you can make sure no one will either." The panda was right. He's fighting while in beast-mode; I might not have the chance to defeat him if I don't do the same. Besides….. "Knowing that, don't you want to change the outcome of your actions going forward? In that case, don't hide your beast-mode anymore from yourself or her; give it to her instead. Give it to Anastasia and let it protect her." Anastasia, I think I know why I was born a wolf now. I finally understand….
"No one stands between me and what's mine!" Eric shouted before charging at me once more. I ran towards him with the same force and ferocity. Anastasia…. my darling Anastasia. All I could see was her face in my head; all I could smell was her neon pink scent. I understand, sweetheart… I know why I'm like this now. My imprinting on you was no accident- it was not a mistake. You are weak; one of the weakest animals in all existence. And there's nothing wrong with that. You have just as much power over that as I do about being an apex predator. But there's something else I've learned, life mate. Something important.
It makes me not afraid anymore. The only time I'm afraid now is when I think of you in harm's way. Eric growled at me so hard. "She's mine! She's my prey!" He roared. That did it; that was enough to set it off. My eyes were glowing crimson now too I'd imagine as I did something I never thought I'd let myself do. For the first time in my life, while only thinking of Anastasia, I wilfully let myself go into beast-mode. The sensation of boiling liquid pouring through my veins made my body contort, my muscles contract. But this was good as it allowed me to rush at Eric in a predatory manner.
Everything I am, Anastasia; it's all for you. My claws are yours; my fangs belong to you exclusively. I punched Eric as he attempted to bite me again. I was born a wolf for you; I was made by nature to protect you. I will become your beast; I will give my beast-mode to you. Now, one good thing about being a bit smaller than Eric- he was older than me- was the fact that I could leap onto him; I was light enough to stay on his top half without knocking him over. I took several deep breathes to mentally prepare myself. Then, for the briefest of seconds I shut my eyes. She was there; of course she was there. Anastasia…. "Christian."
All it takes is one look at you, and I'm ready for war.
"Anastasia, shut your eyes!" I cried before I spread my jaw wide. It all happened so quickly, I barely remember any of it. But I remember the bitter taste of blood and the sensation of my fangs sinking into this meaty texture. Eric gave this unearthly moan, his mouth widening. But I didn't stop; my teeth just kept drilling deeper and deeper into his neck. He was still breathing when I finally tore myself off in a violent fashion. I gasped, letting all the disgusting blood fall out of my mouth. My face was covered in the stuff by now.
It took me a few seconds to look back to Anastasia; she still had her hands over her eyes. Oh good- my first thought was how thankful I was she didn't see that. While I gave my beast-mode to her, I didn't want her to see it. Her eyes are too clean, too pure to witness something this gruesome. "Anastasia…." I gasped breathlessly; my mouth still had a thick coding of blood all inside it. Her hands slowly lowered down to her eyes, revealing her terrified eyes. Mine instantly lowered onto hers. Obviously, she's going to be scared; I didn't want to scare her. That's the last thing I ever want to do….
"Anastasia, you're safe now," I tried to sound a bit less whizzy this time. "C-Christian?" Her hands were trembling at the sight. I got up, trying to block her view as much as possible; not that I think that did much. She merely stared up at me with the largest of eyes. "You're safe; I promise you, you're safe now," my hand reached out for hers. She blinked from it back to me; I continued to ogle her like the angel she was. Even through all this, I can still see her halo. It's never shown brighter I think….
"Christian…." Her voice was smaller this time. Don't be afraid, Anastasia; I'm your beast. I've always been your carnivore. I want you to use me, to tame this feral wolf who so desperately needs you. I want you…..
You can't fathom how high my heart leapt when she suddenly shot both her arms out for me. "Christian….. oh Christian!" Tears flew off the sides of her face. Her hand grasped mine. Her touching me was enough to send my protective instincts back into high gear. Without conscious realization, I pulled her as quick as I could by her hand straight into me. I pulled her into me, wrapping both arms tightly around her. I held her so hard, she wasn't able to wrap her arms around me. Her hands instead rested on my chest, along with her cheek. Both my eyes instinctively closed as I pressed her up against me. Oh, it was worth it; all of it, absolutely worth it. Just to have her here in my embrace, safe and sound…. I'd do it a thousand times over, just for this single, solitary moment. This…. this wasn't mere survival for me. I'm not content with simply surviving anymore. Moments like this, where she's here with me…. this wasn't only survival for me.
This was living.