**

Whistling a happy tune, Larissa strutted out of the pastry shop, following Raven as she led her by the hand and down the street.

A pungent scent of marigolds and roses wafted into her senses, drowning out the rotten odor of filth and dominants, and her lips twitched in glee. She drew closer to the vampire and spoke. “Despite how the meal ended I must thank you; I didn’t know I needed that.”

Raven paused and flashed her a grin. “I’m always at your service.”

Pleased, Larissa rumbled a purr, and they continued their stroll.

With newly revived vigor, Larissa now welcomed the warmth of the sun, and the bustling of the streets. Her gaze settled on the strong back of Raven, garbed in a simple black robe, and failing to hide the grace and power that oozed off her every step.

Larissa thought she resembled a vortex, an ancient force of nature that twisted and turned with grace, ravaging all within its path by sucking you in, and stealing your breath away.

She inwardly shuddered, recalling the vampires flawless naked form cradling her own flesh, wondering what it would be like to rake her fangs over her fleshy thighs, and capture them within her sharp fangs.

She slapped herself out of the daydream, cursing herself for acting like a teenager in heat, and ignored Raven’s curious glimpse. Warmth entered her cheeks as a pang between her thighs built, and flickered her gaze left and right, desperately trying to find a distraction.

Get a grip on yourself Larissa! She warned herself. This woman is a two-faced liar, and you know it! Don’t fall for her charms and don’t trust her!

Her eyes landed on a family of three, and she grinned at the boy at the center who skipped joyfully holding his parents’ hand.

A deep sadness replaced the lust she felt moments before as she discerned the state they were in.

They were dirty, their pale skin burnt by the sun, and clothes tattered by years of labor. The father wore no shoes, and the mother had a limp she’d been failing to hide, and yet…

They still smiled.

An image of her own mother and father drifted within her mind, and she recalled a time when she was young, playing with the other cubs with carefree laughs.

Until a silver haired girl pushed her violently to the ground, causing her to scrap her knee, and scurry home in frantic haste.

The moment she flung the doors open to a cozy cottage; she tackled the first muscular thigh she spotted.

The owner of the thigh huffed a chortle. “What’s wrong little pup? Why are you crying?”

She peeked at her burly father; eyes blurred with tears as she sniffled. “On-one of the dominants pushed me…” She sluggishly pulled away from his thigh and waved to her knee. “I hurt.”

His brow wrinkled at the admission, rumbling a displeased growl, and a curvy woman with silver hair and olive skin appeared into view, kneeling by her injury.

“Oh my what a wound!” Her mother carefully said. “You must be quite the warrior to take it!” She wagged her finger playfully at Larissa and leaned down to kiss it.

Horrified, Larissa blurted. “Why did you do that!?” Mumbling the last part, she added. “It tickles…”

A twinkle lit in her mother’s crystal eyes as she clarified. “An ancient healing technique, passed down to mother to mother for generations.” She kissed the wound again, prompting Larissa to giggle. “Said to be able to heal all pup wounds small and large.” She kissed it again and Larissa giggled louder. “Do you feel better my pup?”

Tears turned to giggles as she wiped the last drops away. “Yes mama,” she gestured her arms up, and her mother embraced her, cradling her in her arms as she stood and cooed words of warmth to her.

A crack of knuckles broke the tender moment, and the two-woman glanced to the bearded man. “So, which kid did it again?” Her mother smacked him gently on the shoulder and he hotly defended. “I was kidding, kidding!”

The two adults broke out into laughter, and Larissa stared at them in awe.

She wondered if when she was of age, her mate would be as gentle and strong, like her father, or if she would be as wise and playful as her mother. She wondered if they could remain in this moment, forever.

Her smile fell, it didn’t matter in the end. Six years later, a neighboring pack ambushed them, killing her parents and torturing them as she watched with terror in her eyes.

When they were done with her parents they moved their leers onto her, merely sixteen at the time, and shuddered at the hideous dominant that looked down at her with lust in his dark eyes.

She clenched her eyes and chest, terrified, and gagging as his hot breath intruded into her space. His stench reeked of lust, dominance, and malice, defiling the safety she felt in her once loving home.

A sharp claw touched her belly, piercing it and sliding it down towards her sex.

Whimpers escaped her throat, but she refused to scream, refused to give him the satisfaction.

A booming howl interrupted his sick foreplay, and a hot liquid sprayed and drenched her.

She opened her eyes wide at the sight and shrieked a horrifying cry.

Each ambusher laid dead in a pool of their own blood. Their bodies torn and shredded, their limbs shattered across the cozy cottage floor. And there amongst the carnage stood a silver-haired girl, soaked in blood, and silver eyes glowing a mad rage.

That was the first time Sylva saved her, cradling her in her arms as she softly told her to close her eyes as she stole her away from the wicked scene. She carried her to a nearby lake, washing the stench of dominance and blood, soothing her with words of comfort and soft touches, and laying her down onto a comfortable nest. She cuddled her all night in a protective embrace as Larissa cried madly into Sylva’s chest, crying still even when there were no more tears to shed, and then she slept.

The next time she opened her eyes, it was to the dawn of a new day. She woke up in the nest, cold and alone, wondering if it was all a cursed dream. A sadness stabbed into her heart, and she knew her words rang to be false.

Her old life was the fleeting dream now, and her new one, alone. She sat up, curling into a ball as she huddled her knees. Tears started to escape the corners of her eyes until the rustling of a bush startled her to attention.

“You’re awake.” The muscular girl spoke, rubbing the back of her silver hair awkwardly as she proclaimed. “I thought you’d sleep longer, I haven’t hunted breakfast yet, so...” A guilty look struck her, and she blurted. “I’ll go hunt now!”

Before she turned on her heels to flee, Larissa sprang onto her feet and rushed to capture the hand of her savior. “Thank you,” Larissa murmured. “I mean it.” She dropped her savior’s hand, noting the slight nod of acknowledgement from her, and questioned. “You’re Sylva, the alphas cub?” She cautiously roamed her gaze over the taller girl, recalling the memory of when she met the alpha, once, and shuddered grimly at the memory.

Sylva scoffed loudly. “Cub no longer and only in name, that bastard only cares about getting his—” She paused, wrinkling her nose. “Leg wet.”

“I see,” She didn’t, but didn’t want Sylva to elaborate. Changing the subject Larissa greeted. “My name is Larissa,” she pointed to her face. “Do you remember me? We used to play as cubs until you pushed me in a game of tag?”

Sylva winced. “I remember…” She mumbled, adding. “Sorry.”

A huge grin spread on Larissa’s lips. “All is forgiven.” Her face fell flat. “After all you did save me.”

Guilt knitted Sylva’s brow, and she murmured. “I wish I arrived sooner, maybe I could’ve saved a lot more.”

Dampness started to build in Larissa’s eyes, and she shook her head, wiping the tears starting to form. “I am grateful still, even more so what you did afterwards.” She hesitated, casting Sylva a cautious glimpse. “May I hug you?”

With a nod, Sylva opened her arms wide, and Larissa embraced her. She nuzzled Sylva’s chest, deeply inhaling the scent of calm and protectiveness that radiated in the form of wooden trees and freshly dewed grass.

After that moment the two silently vowed to never be a part. That they will always look out for and take care of each other until the end of their lives. A vow that Larissa keeps close to her heart, and a vow she’d never break.