Ashelia's frantic gaze landed on her caregiver's figure sprawled on the floor in a bloody mess. When a growl shook the tiny house, she ducked under the window, the sound of flesh connecting with flesh stilling her lungs. 

His knuckles barely tingled while Martha's cheek throbbed with pain. "You dare escape then beg, bitch?"

Raucous laughter bellowed as robust men spilled out, their leader following, his fist tightening around her disheveled hair. Tears flowed silently down purple skin, fingers unsuccessfully trying to pry away his iron grip as he dragged her out. "Please..."

"Shut up, human!" He roared, flinging her limp body across the air and Martha skidded to a stop by Ashelia's cowering, crouched form. 

Their eyes met, wide, red-rimmed, and horrified.

Memories flooded the girl's mind; fists, teeth, feet as they punched, bit, and kicked. A shudder raced down her spine.

"Run," Martha whispered. "Run!"

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Sharp teeth flashed in a predatory grin as the giant man towered above them. "Is this child yours?" A large palm enclosed around Ashelia's dress as he fisted it and pulled her up like a pup picked up by its scruff. "You opened your legs for someone else and let them fuck you?!"

Small feet dangled in the air, quivering hands pressing to her ringing ears. Her blood thrummed. 

Rhudi sniffed her neck, his nose scrunching up in distaste. Repulsion flared across her body but she didn't dare move, even her breathing stopped. 

"Inhuman," he growled, his dark brown eyes flashing dangerously. Then, he turned to the wailing woman at his feet. "Where's the father?" His voice, low and menacing, prompted goosebumps to rise all over her sweltering skin. "Bring him to me!"

"Leave her alone, Rhudi, please!" Martha attempted to rise but her body was reduced to a pile of pain and broken bones. "She has nothing to do with me, with us." She wheezed. "Just a mere child I stumbled upon here."

Her lie, albeit weak, seemed to loosen his hold. Because, after all, the girl didn't smell like his Martha did, anyway. A wolfish grin bloomed across his scarred face. "So, it is of no importance to you, oh my sweet, loving mate?"

Referring to her as an insignificant object irked Ashelia. However, she's been through this before and speaking up only worsened the blows.

"No!" Marth's scream halted his movements. Maniac eyes flitted to fearful ones. "I will come with you." Desperation leaked from chestnut brown eyes, an eruption of coughs sending tremors throughout an empty shell of a battered soul. "let her go, please."

"Sure thing." 

When he pulled her backward, so fast that her wild locks covered her eyes, Ashelia barely registered a thing but the sound of her dress being torn after he propelled her against the wall. A yelp resonated after the impact, followed by a groan as her body arched.

The collision tugged at sensitive skin and her back wept crimson droplets. Black spots invaded her vision and the world wouldn't stop moving.

Hunched over, his body shook before spasms of crazed laughter disrupted the looming darkness. The sound of her pleas was addictive.

'Lia, your word is absolute to me. However, I will not stand by and watch them hurt you, both of you.' 

Martha was important to his Ashelia, therefore to him as well.

Slowly, after blinking away the dizziness, she shook her head. The girl didn't want to risk her friend's life.

The villagers had been awake since the first cry, in search of its source until they finally came across the horrific scene of their beloved Martha quivering in her undergarment, the nightgown torn and hanging off her shoulder, and the new addition to their small town, Ashelia, kneeling by the house, glaring at her trembling hands, her exposed back covered in blood.

Some parents covered their kids' eyes, others ushered them inside the house to preserve their innocence. Women cursed, throwing rocks. Men shouted, raising their fists and wooden weapons.

Rhudi and his companions chuckled at the silly attempts. The moment his fingers snapped, his men spread, predacious in their advancing, muscles taut, figures rigid, nails elongated and teeth flashed.

The masses clashed. Grunts rose, snarls resonated and blood was shed as the beasts tore through human flesh. 

"Monsters!" A woman shouted afore her head was snapped harshly to the side, a satisfied growl following. Screams of horror and utter pain fueled Efû's anger.

Things escalated faster and worse than he expected. He couldn't follow his master's command any longer.

The despair of the villagers that took care of his Ashelia offered enough energy for him to take part in the hideous massacre. A screech reverberated as brightness distracted the fight and Efû's large body settled in the battleground. 

The soil shook under his roar, effectively ending the loud clamor.

"This keeps on getting better and better," Rhudi cackled in irritation and amusement before hollering. "Kill it!"

The humans stumbled backward, watching in bewilderment as the new beast swiftly decapitated one of the attackers before engaging with the others. They flocked together, chests heaving, injuries throbbing and prayers whispered within the folds of a night full of death and terror.

Blue orbs darkened. With erratic heartbeats, Ashelia watched as her Efû fought for her, the villagers, and her Martha. She watched in utter uselessness and anger for she failed to do anything but aggravate the situation.

Tears flowed down muddy cheeks. "Oh, mother. I'm a failure." A ragged inhale was interrupted by Martha calling for her.

"My sweet child, run. Please." Broken words, scratchy voice, pleading eyes. The little girl staggered to her, arms outstretched. Martha shook her head and Ashelia fell to her knees. "He's broken both of my legs. I can't. Run, hide. Go! Go!"

Ashelia stared, wide-eyed and frozen as Martha was snatched from before her. "You're not going anywhere, love." Rhudi chuckled, pressing his lips forcefully to his mate while discarding the patch of cloth that he's torn from the dress.

It landed in Ashelia's lap.

Blue settled on the brown, frizzed piece. Two days after finishing her punishment, Martha had thrust it into her arms, muttering for her to get changed and remove that awful, baggy dress she had on. Ever since then, the woman invited her on a daily basis to tour the village together while she was introduced to everyone. 

Everyone.

Everyone that has welcomed, fed, and offered genuine love and warmth to an awkward, dirty thief - a stranger. 

He ruined her first dress in a long time, the only gift she's ever gotten and he dared lay filthy hands on her Martha, the villagers and, her eyes landed on white fur coated in sticky crimson, her Efû. 

Her family. 

Lips curled, guttural sounds rose from deep within her belly.

Pack, pack, pack.

Her blood simmered. 

Protect, protect, protect. 

The growls grew in volume.

Protect pack.

The thought reverberated in her mind. A snarl tumbled out, catching the attention of some. Rhudi glanced her way. His smirk only infuriated her further. 

"You want to play, kid?" Martha was tossed to the unforgiven soil, Rhudi's body taking an offensive stance. "Death is how I show mercy, runt." 

Somehow the word seemed to feed her growing anger. Deep rumbles echoed around them, blue eyes danced like flames, a threat clear as daylight, bright as the sun, and scorching like fire.

His eyebrows furrowed, taken back by the intensity of her gaze and the death it promised. "What are you?" His murmur didn't go unnoticed.

"Death." Her voice was hoarser, foreign, dripping with bloodlust. "Mercy."

Word count:1269.

Total word count: 16490.

MEANING OF THE NAMES USED:

Rhudi Slavic origin: applied as a nickname for someone with red hair / German origin: means a wolf famous among man.