My hunt was successful, the blood slathered upon my jaws and throat telling of a great feast, and the corpse that was dangling between my teeth only a remnant of what once was. It was mangled beyond recognition. What once was a pearly white ewe was now nothing more than a massacred piece of flesh and organs. I had taken my fill and now my dark angel shall have hers as I return home.

What brokenness had been scattered between us both was now beginning to mend and I finally see some semblance of change in the mischievous woman. Our past is exactly where it should be – behind us – and I have nothing more rewarding than to return to the grotto after long hunting trips to see her resting or tinkering with her herbal plants. It is the singular reason as to why I am still here; she was the one I could not kill.

A year had passed since my first time laying eyes upon her and I intended on keeping the years to come all to myself. Malleah was mine just as much as I was hers, except she didn’t have the means to protect me from the wiles of other females. Not that I would dare to jeopardize our relationship now – back then things were different and I was not soulfully or willingly tied to her. Despite the age old legends of soul mates and imprints in this area I now do not believe I will ever find one as close to my soul as Malleah has become. Formalities were never my ‘thing’ and our partnership was not one set in stone yet I knew that I would never leave her again. Not after that night.

Large paws of cinder hit upon the crumpled and dried leaves in a rather noisy manner, yet I did not care, I had nothing and no one to fear. By the time I reached the trees near the grotto Malleah would be meeting me in hopes for a meal but this time she did not come as I approached. Something was… different. There were always passersby in the area and like-minded creatures such as myself but there was just something that made my hair stand on end. It was when I came closer to the entrance of our private getaway that the heavy scent of another male clung to the air and everything around it.

The carcass was instantaneously dropped from my jaws and I ducked my head to enter the cavern in silent search of my Malleah. My nose worked on every solid inch of the area until I was certain that she was not here, my voice calling out once quietly in hopes that she may be a better sleuth than I imagined. ”Malleah…” There was no reply.

I quickly moved back into the daylight and surveyed the scenery. The leaves were brushed into piles and sweeping motions were laid into the soil; a clear sign of distress or a struggle to get away. She had not willingly gone with this stranger and I began to feel my blood boil with the thought. I had just gotten her back. I had saved her from that wretched cat and I will do so again to this male for the sake of my girl. My hackles and the fur upon my chest and neck flare into an unmeasured fury as I begin to track her scent to the south. It grows stronger with each mile I make and I know that I will soon find her – but in what condition? The thought sends a chill down my spine and only enrages me ever more.

By evening I am jogging heavily upon moorland soil, its texture entirely different than that of the stone grotto, yet I remain unfazed. They have stopped nearby, perhaps a mile more, and I halt only for a moment to send a warning into the dreary sky. I am coming.

I pick my pace back up again and within a short time I am encroaching upon the swampland territory. Ahead I see the minute figure of my beloved Valkyrie and the cretin who has stolen her from me. My paws hit the earth harder as I advance into a barreling run toward them, face molded into a deathly expressionless stare as my hackles bristle up again, my tail rising in an aggressive manner as it flares out too. I break the space between them both, my colossal figure curving around Malleah as my back is turned to the male, my muzzle dipping down to bump and nudge along every inch of her as I inspect for damage or anguish. It is apparent that she is uncomfortable here and does not wish to remain any longer than she already has. A deepened growl resonates in my chest as I turn to look back at the mostly white male, a vicious glint evident in my charcoal eyes. I do not speak, I only continue to pivot until I am facing him with a challenging stance. I will fight and kill for her.