Everything hurt. My feet. My arms. My legs. My head. I was utterly exhausted, but made it all the way to my own territory. The sun's first rays illuminated the morning mist which hung at the mountain's feet. I lay against a tree not too far from the town I conquered the other day, picking bits of glass from under my skin. One particularly large shard allowed me to cut the ropes binding my hands, along with a lot of biting and cursing.

A cold wind blew over me, channeled from the north by the mountains. I shivered. It had rained all night. I was soaked, causing my dress to cling to my body in the most uncomfortable of ways.

How I longed for the hearths of the castle. Perhaps I would even get Henry to make me a hot stew. The lycans would wonder why I didn't eat with them, but I didn't care. I really didn't want raw meat at the moment.

I took in a shaking breath and let out a weak howl. Lowering my head, I coughed a bitter laugh. None of them would come to that pathetic call, I would have to get to the castle on my own. A sudden burst of emotion welled up within me, one I had to fight not to be overcome by. It was all just so difficult.

"What happened to you?"

I opened my eyes to stare up at the one who had spoken. A man with straw colored hair stood over me, bow in hand and quiver strapped to his hip. He knelt, looking over me with concern. Soot was smeared across one cheek.

"No, don't!" I raised a hand to stop him. "Don't touch me..." I was still covered in droplets of my own blood, even a simple touch could prove fatal.

He pulled back, thankfully taking the hint, though he probably assumed my refusal to be for other reasons. It didn't matter, he couldn't help me if he was dead. "I recognize you from somewhere."

"Oh, really?" I snorted, once again letting my eyelids drop closed. I hadn't shown my face in Merrer, he must be mistaken.

His quiet gasp told me otherwise. "You're the Lady of the Lycan Mountains!"

I stiffened. Cautiously, I glared at him through narrowed eyes. "How do you know that? I wore my mask." I was far too tired to lie.

"You lifted it when you kissed the one who killed Joseph."

"Oh," I sighed. Maybe I could get him to help me if I threatened to have the lycans do the same to him.

"What do you mean, 'oh'? How can you be so casual about it? You had your monster torture and kill a man, a poor blacksmith, with an apprentice and grandkids on the way!" he growled. "Or have you killed so many you don't remember?"

"No, I remember," I huffed. "I don't know what you're so worked up about, the lycans killed plenty of other people in your pitiful village that day too."

"I know that!" he cried, slamming his fist into the forest floor. "They killed all the guards and anyone who fought! And you- you put a curse on me!"

"What?" I hissed. I never even met this man before. Unless... My eyes widened. The young man I bumped while taking off my gloves. Could he have touched my bare skin? I had been so focused on not limping, was it possible I hadn't noticed?

The man glared at me, his body tense with anger. "Ever since that day, I can't stop thinking about you. Why? What did you do to me!?"

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"It was an accident-"

"An accident?!"

"Yes, an accident," I snapped. "You weren't cursed, you idiot, you were accidentally exposed to a highly addictive drug, which I am the only source of." I smirked. "So if you ever want to feel better, you will have to serve me."

There was a moment of silence as he took in the information. I relaxed against the tree, watching his eyes dart back and forth in confusion until the truth of the matter finally dawned on him. The man let himself fall back into a sitting position, closing his eyes as he considered his options.

"I'll pass on that, thanks."

I sat bolt upright, ignoring the dizziness and nausea that accompanied the sudden action. "What?!"

His features hardened into a mask of defiance. "I won't be your slave. I'd rather fight the temptation."

I blinked. No one ever refused once they were addicted, not in my entire life. Not one of the hundreds of people who became hooked had ever refused a second fix. It was impossible. "But you will never-"

My argument was cut off by a loud howl. I immediately answered the best I could, putting all my remaining breath in the sound.

Then there he was, my albino guardian, soaked to the skin, his fur matted with mud and blood, some of which I was horrified to find leaked from his own open wounds. He panted as though he had run Obria's border several times. I realized he probably had. So why hadn’t he found me sooner?

The rain. It must have washed my scent from my tracks. Just how far had he run, searching for me?

"Cerberus..."

A low growl rumbled from the lycan's throat. Following his gaze, I found the man had drawn his bow. He stood, unflinching, arrow aimed at Cerberus's chest.

"I dare you, human," the alpha snarled. "You won't knock another..."

If I didn't act, they would attack each other. "Cerberus stop!" I ordered, though the force I put in my voice had me panting. "I want this man alive, as a prisoner. He is of special interest to me."

Red eyes bore into mine, searching. After a moment he let out an annoyed huff and dropped to all fours. "Fine, but he walks."

I snorted. I wouldn't dream of asking the proud alpha to carry another person. That, and I really didn't want to share.

The lycan trotted to me, turning his back to the human man as he sniffed my skin. I smiled and placed my hand on his head. "I jumped through glass."

A huff was his only reply. Behind him, the man slowly lowered his bow, though he still kept the arrow knocked. "Why?"

"I was held captive in Obria," I explained. "But I escaped."

Cerberus growled. "That man took you through a tunnel. The entrance was too small for me."

A small, sympathetic smile spread across my face. My fingers tangled in the fur behind his ears, taking comfort in the familiar softness. The lycan sank into a bow, inviting me on his back. I wanted to refuse, to tell him he was too injured, but I knew his pride suffered more than his body. Besides, I didn't know how much farther I could walk myself.

I vaulted on him, careful not to land on any of his wounds. From their shape, though it was difficult to tell through fur, I would say he tangled with the guards outside the wall. I practically lay on his back as I huddled to the warmth his coat held despite its wetness. My head rested on his shoulder, filling my senses with the lycan's canine musk. I felt his growl against my chest.

"Come, human."

"And if I refuse?"

Cerberus snarled again, this time louder. "I will drag you up the mountains with my teeth."

From the way the man sighed, I assumed he chose the former. I didn't bother to look up as my mount slowly began making his way up the mountain. Walking at a human pace, I didn't need to clutch his fur to stay on, so I relaxed, letting myself drift to the brink of sleep.