1. Offering

1

OFFERING

E ire

I did not know his name.

But I knew his face. I knew his warmth.

I knew the moment the leaves crackled that he was close.

My monster.

I sucked in a breath as I stepped into the circle of trees, kneeling to the ground. I wore a soft cream-colored dress with a fur shawl wrapped around my shoulders, my red hair tumbling down to my waist.

I had been waiting for this moment for so long. The fates had guided me here and everything fell silent, the lull before a final decision was made.

I could only hope that my monster would accept what I had to offer.

"You came," his dark voice rasped.

I bowed my head, nodding. I couldn't control the way my body reacted just by knowing that he was near. Heat spread between my thighs, blooming in my cheeks. My pale skin flushed beneath the moon's pearlescent light.

"I belong with you," I whispered. "You and you alone. My soul burns for you. My body craves you."

The wind picked up, tossing my curls back. I kept my head bowed, hoping he would accept me.

He would, wouldn't he?

I felt him come closer until finally, I could see his clawed feet. They dug into the earth, meant to tear apart humans like me. How many times had I seen him kill?

Countless.

My monster was a warrior. The kind that fought battles and protected those that he cared about, and that often did not include my kind.

And yet…here I was.

Offering myself to him.

This forest ran through the boundaries of Bitu, and he was one of the guardians. His entire life was dedicated to keeping humans from crossing over into the other world. He kept problems from arising, a shepherd guiding the flock. For thousands of years, it had been this way.

Monsters and humans were not supposed to mix, but neither of us could stop ourselves. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. My heart craved him, my soul yearning for his touch.

" Eire ," he said, his voice a low growl.

The way he spoke my name sent a shiver through me.

His massive hand reached down, and he cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. His claws pressed lightly against my skin, and my eyes widened as I met his golden gaze.

I knelt in front of him, the beast of the forest. He was a king amongst creatures. But when he looked at me, gone was the fierce killer my people knew. Instead, I was faced with softness. With pride.

"You honor me, lass," he whispered reverently.

He leaned down, and I opened my mouth, eagerly taking his kiss. I wound my arms around his thick neck, gripping his fur.

He drew back with a soft growl. "Are you certain, Eire? I don't want to hurt you."

"You could never," I answered immediately. "I want this. I want to be yours."

He studied me for a few moments, and I knew he was thinking.

This was a risk to both of us, but I knew he would keep us protected. I wasn't too bad in a fight myself, with humans at least. But monsters? Well, there were very few of us humans that could truly fight them.

I would never forget the first time I saw him. I had been running through the forest, playing hide and seek with some of the children from the village. I helped keep watch over them, as I had none of my own yet.

I had always warned them to not go too deep. We had lost many others that way.

But then I had. I'd lost myself in the trees, in the verdant darkness. I had run until the light in the sky had faded and howls erupted around me. I should have died at the vicious mouths of wolves, but I didn't.

No.

He had protected me. Found me, kept me, and then returned me safely home.

"You have to promise me that if anything I do makes you want to stop, you tell me, Eire. I need this promise from you," he said, combing his claws through my hair.

I moaned, closing my eyes for a moment. His claws combing through my hair brought me a sort of tender pleasure I'd never felt before. Every touch from him felt like heaven and home. "I will tell you. I want you, monster. Please."

He knelt down in front of me, his massive body looming in front of me. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," I said, this time stronger.

He nodded and then pulled the furred shaw from my shoulders, tossing it aside. "I will keep you warm, my love," he said, leaning in.

I moved so that he could lift the dress up, and I blushed as he pulled it free. I was now completely naked in front of him, my body exposed. A brisk wind picked up and I shivered in the darkness, the cold making goose bumps appear on my skin and hardening my nipples.

He let out a low rumble, humming.

"You are beyond beautiful," he said.

He gently dragged his claws over my skin before cupping my breasts in his warm palms. I gasped as a sharp sensation passed through me, crying out at his surprising touch..

He started to draw back, but I grabbed his hand, holding it to me. Mine was so small compared to his, but I tipped my head back, staring up at him.

"No," I gasped. "I want this. Please."

"I fear I will hurt you, and I could never live with myself if I did," he admitted, wincing.

He was so much larger than me. He towered a good three feet above me, his massive form covered in charcoal fur. His golden eyes burned in the dark like two suns, his diamond shaped pupils strange yet hypnotic.

"Even if you hurt me, I would still trust you," I said.

Before he could argue, I moved forward in a feeble attempt to push him down onto the grass. His laugh echoed around me as he drew me against his chest, his warmth enveloping me.

"I want to touch you," I whimpered, trying my best to not sound so desperate.

"I see," he said, amused. "My little human has wants."

"Yes," I moaned.

He made me squeal as he lifted me and rolled back onto the ground, pulling me with him. He pulled me on top of him, his claws digging into my thighs.

I was straddling him now, his hips so wide that my knees didn't touch the ground. He lifted his head, and my entire body flushed as his glowing eyes roamed over me, his tongue swiping around his sharp teeth.

"My wild red haired goddess," he purred. "You have stolen my heart."

I felt need sear through me, and I moved my hips, grinding myself against him. His hands gripped my thighs, curling entirely around them.

"If you continue this, I will not be patient," he said darkly.

I straightened my spine, looking over my shoulder. I could see the head of his cock emerging from his sheath, growing harder with every moment that passed.

"I don't want you to be patient," I whispered. "May I touch you?"

"Yes," he grunted. "I am yours in every way. Touch me however you please."

Excitement had me smiling. I had dreamed of this moment for months now, wondering what it would be like to be ravaged by the forest's king of beasts. I reached behind me, running my palm over his cock. It immediately responded, growing from my touch.

I gasped, watching as it became so large, I could hardly fit one hand around to stroke it. Liquid glistened at the tip, and I turned so that I could lean down and swipe my tongue over it.

He let out a low groan mixed with a growl, his hips bucking.

The taste of him empowered me to do more. I ran my hand down the length of his cock, gasping as I felt ridges along the bottom. My palm came to the base where two knots swelled, pulsing against me.

How would I fit him inside me?

"I can take no more," he grunted.

With a growl, he flipped me over, caging me beneath him.

My monster had accepted my offering.