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She was the wildest thing I had ever seen. She was the kind of untamed beauty that made you stop

and stare, even though your better senses screamed for you to run. My senses had not told me to run

since I was a small child. I found it interesting that I was instinctually ready to challenge her, to fight a

strong predator that had wandered its way into my territory. Like a sculpture of living stone I stood

there, not daring to move an inch. I had not even dared to take a breath since laying eyes upon her.

She had a mane of sunshine that kissed midway down her hunched spine and draped over her breasts.

Her fidgeting fingers were wrapped in her golden tresses, tugging and flexing erratically like herbreathing. She was covered in sweat, glowing in the moonlight. Her body sat in a constant state of

involuntary motion like it pained her to sit still. It was almost hypnotic how she rocked, and how her

knees swayed in front of her eyes.

Those eyes. Run. They told me to run. I had never seen anything with a human face look so dangerous.

Reggie, I spoke quietly, cautious that anything louder would make her pounce. I took a step back from

the car and looked at my old friend. Why did you bring her here?

I couldnt think of not one reason for him to encounter such a feral woman, let alone bring her to me. He

only sighed, wearily rubbing his eyes, then running a hand through his lank white hair. Look, Frederick.

Apparently there was something visibly wrong with her that I overlooked. Begrudgingly I took a step

back toward the open door. Glancing to my left, I could see Eleanor and Raul approaching curiously.

Frederick, Reggie pressed, look.

Sighing, I couldnt help but notice a sweet taste to the air. Hunching down, I leaned into the car. It was

her. The taste. The smell. If I hadnt been holding my breath I would have noticed earlier. Never had I

ever met a mythological panther. Shifting leopards, lions, and jaguars, yes, but never a panther. Here I

was now, assessing one. That must have been why Reggie brought her to me. She was injured

somehow.

Her face was now buried in her knees. I didnt have to worry about those intense green eyes. If she

werent still spasming I would not have noticed the feverishly red skin on her shrugged shoulder,

furthest from me. And there across the inflamed skin sat a bite mark. The shape implied human, but the

reaction her body displayed suggested that she had been bitten by a werewolf. I didnt know much about

her kind, but she should not be having such a reaction.

What sense did it make for a werewolf to bite a panther while in human form? They might have fought,

yes, but it looked very deliberate. It didnt appear to be deep, from what I could see, and I didnt notice

any other bites Fever, spasm, delirium.

Reggie, why do you have a naked woman in the back of your car? Raul asked with a hint of

amusement in his voice. My heart pounding in my ears made him sound much further away than just

over my shoulder.

Her symptoms could mean very few things, one of which had not been done in centuries.

Fuck.

Frederick, Eleanor snapped disapprovingly.

I didnt know it was physically possibly for Frederick to swear, Raul whispered. I looked to the three

standing together at the rear of the car.

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May the Gods damn you, Reginald, I spat. My stomach turned, looking at his face. What was that

expression? Could it have been guilt etched into his features? I couldnt bear to look at him anymore.

Frederick, I did not do this to her.

I ignored his words. As much as I wanted to believe him, it was not possible.

Raul, go get a blanket so Eleanor can carry her inside, I ordered. He immediately ran into the house.

Looking to Eleanor I could see the questions in her eyes. She could tell by my grim expression that now

was not the time to ask. Put her in Rauls room. He can find a spare room to sleep in. Then give

everyone my apologies, Ill be retiring early. You are to watch her till morning.

I didnt wait for a response. Reginald, follow me, I said over my shoulder and added as an afterthought

as Raul came running back to the car, Raul, find your brother. He should be occupied, but tell him he is

to stay outside.

--------------- + ---------------

I can still remember the tingling down my spine when I locked eyes with the woman three nights before.

Now her gaze was less fear inducing. She was panicked. I didnt have to observe her expression to know

that. The evidence lay broken and shredded all over Rauls room.

I dont think you understand the severity of your situation, I told her. As I slipped my glasses from my

eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. The fact that I had not slept a second since her arrival was

catching up to me.

I dont think you understand that I dont care, she growled through gritted teeth.

All I ask is that you listen to what I have to say, and you can make your own decision whether you

would like to leave or stay. I felt like I was talking to a child, bargaining when ultimately their decision

served no purpose but to make them believe they were in charge of the situation. She didnt answer, but

I could see the hard lines in her face dissolve. Her hands made their way to her hips and she began

pacing. Her actual demeanor could be likened to a caged lion, pacing the bars of its cage, longingly

licking its chops for freedom. I bet if she had a tail it would be switching back and forth in agitation.

Thank you, I began, ignoring a roll of her eyes. What has been done to you is a very primitive and

barbaric custom.

Whatever, she spat impatiently. I could not for the life of me understand how someone could be so

disinterested in their own fate. It may have something to do with waking in a strange place, surrounded

by strange smells and people. You done?

No, actually, I am not Your body is going through a very stressful change. I am sure you can feel the

fever. You may as well get used to that. You may also feel an intense pain in your shoulder.

I could see her shrug her inflamed shoulder as if to test the pain. Her eyes shot toward the door. I could

not be sure if she sensed Eleanor on the other side of it and Raul at the bottom of the stairs.

Cool, anything else? She asked dismissively.

You genuinely dont care to know what is happening you? Where you are? How you came to be here?

These were questions I know I would ask. She scowled and shook her damp hair.

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"Can I leave now?"

"No."

"But you said-"

"I lied. It isn't something that I do well, or often. Several things that you are uninterested in learning

about need to happen before you can leave. I am not holding you hostage I assure you it is for your own

safety, as well as the safety for those that reside in my home and on my land. I had hoped that after

hearing my offer you'd be open to listening and would use reason to realize that you should not leave...

but it seems that you are in no mood to listen, or reason."

She still paced the floor, scowling. Her eyes darted around the room, and constantly at the door. She

was, no doubt thinking of a way to escape. I wish I had known she would be so defiant, then I wouldn't

have sent Reginald away. He might have been able to speak some sense into her or at least calm her

down enough to get her to listen. She then stopped pacing and stared at me. She looked as if she might

say something, but she never opened her mouth. Instead she turned on her heel and bolted for the

window. She didn't slow down to throw it open, instead she barreled straight through it. Wood splintered,

glass shattered and she dissapeared out of the now gaping hole. I stood from my chair, shocked and

then dashed to the window. The door flew open, Eleanor quickly coming through. I could hear Raul

bounding up the stairs. Looking down I could see her. She had stood up as best as she could and was

trying to run. I could tell by her bleeding wounds and lack of mobil ity that she wouldn't get far.

"They say some animals will gnaw their limbs off if they're trapped," Raul muttered.

"Who doesn't already know that, Raul?" Eleanor sighed condescendingly as she turned to leave the

room. She knew I'd send her after the wild woman before I even uttered a word.

"What the hell did she do to my room?" Raul exclaimed. I didn't turn to look, or bother explaining. Icouldn't take my eyes off of the limping, bleeding woman. I could now see Eleanor walking slowly

behind her, waiting for her to tire herself out. It had been decades since I had dealt with someone so

defiant. I was definitely out of practice.