Chapter 6

6

O ctavia

I don't have any choice but to trust him. I think I'm doing the right thing.

I pray that I can trust him. My instincts say I can. I have to keep in mind that these are the same instincts that had me steal a chopper which landed me on this godforsaken island in the first place.

"What is the plan of action?"

"For now, we sit tight. There are too many eyes and ears out there. You need to stay quiet. We mountain men have excellent hearing. We're skilled hunters and trackers. More men will come sniffing around before too long."

I nod once. "Any chance of a shower?" I look down at myself. "I'll be quiet."

"Firstly, I don't have a shower. I use the stream not far from here. Secondly, I need you covered in soot and ash so that they don't smell you."

"Smell me?" What is he talking about? "How are they going to smell me from out there?"

"Your perfume is strong. Mountain men have an excellent sense of smell. They'll sniff you out in a hot minute."

"I'm not wearing any perfume."

"You smell like a woman. Like honeysuckle and wildflowers."

What the—?! I do not!

He continues before I can argue, "Trust me when I tell you that they'll pick up on it and come running. You need to stay covered in that stuff…or mud…or blood…or whatever I deem necessary. We need to keep you hidden."

What kind of mountain men are these? They're not like any I've ever known. Good trackers? Sure. Good hunters? I can believe that. A heightened sense of smell? Nope. Better hearing than most? I'm not buying that one, either. I nod anyway, humoring him. Perhaps all this time alone out here has made him paranoid and a bit weird, which is a shame because he is a good-looking guy.

I need to stop thinking of him in that way. I'm usually attracted to intelligent men who can hold a decent conversation. Men who don't growl and grunt and walk around naked. Creed is decidedly not my type at all.

Besides, if he is to be believed, a whole pack of mountain men is after me. They all want to put me over their shoulder and then drag me by the hair into their caves – or wherever they live – with the sole purpose of mating and breeding me. His words, not mine. I shiver, going cold inside. Nope, this is no time to be thinking about attraction and how someone looks. It can't be that bad, though. Not as grim as he is making it out to be. I mean, mountain men are still men; they can be talked to and reasoned with. Surely? I hope! Please!

I'm not going to panic just yet.

I'm not!

"I need to go out there to keep watch. You need to sit tight. Sit right there." He points at the edge of the fireplace. There is an edge made out of stone. "Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud. Your life depends on it, Octavia. I can see it in your eyes that you don't believe that these mountain men have a better sense of smell and better hearing, but they do. You need to trust me on that."

I nod, sitting down where he tells me. I'm a little thirsty, but I don't ask for water. I don't want it to seem like I'm going against his condition so soon after he gave it. I can sit quietly. Although, there is something else a little more pressing, something I can't ignore. I hold up a finger. "Can I use your bathroom first, please?" I stand again.

"I told you I don't have a shower, and I need you to—"

"I need to go to the toilet." I make a face. "My bladder is about to burst." I wiggle my hips.

"Oh!" He grunts something I don't understand and then turns on his heel, walking to the other side of the cabin and returning with a bucket. "Be quiet about it."

I nod.

Then he leaves, pulling the jeans off as he reaches the door. My eyes are drawn to his meaty ass. They widen before I look away.

"Mountain men don't wear clothes," he says over his shoulder. "They will know you are here if they see the pants." Then he drops the jeans in a heap and closes the door behind him. I hear him sit on the creaky wooden chair. Yep, I've landed myself in the freaking Wild West. It's bizarre.

Curiosity gets the best of me, so I tiptoe to the window, peeking outside. I'm shocked at how high we are off the ground. At least a story, probably more. The cabin is nestled into the canopy of trees. It's thick, lush, and very green, with tree trunks, branches, and leaves as far as the eye can see.

Creed has his feet up on the railing and a knife in his hand. He's using it to whittle a piece of wood. So, all the statues are his doing. I thought as much. He's talented; I'll give him that.

After a few seconds, Creed turns and gives me a stern look. Busted. How did he hear me? Perhaps there is some weight to these mountain men having better hearing since I didn't make so much as a peep walking over here.

I go back and use the makeshift toilet, letting myself drip dry. I am on my way to put the bucket in the corner when there is more talking outside. I stand there like a statue, holding tight to my bucket of pee. I'm too afraid to move so much as a muscle. I even slow my breathing. It sounds like a big group of men has congregated outside.

At first, they argue among themselves, but the narrative quickly becomes similar to before. There's arguing and shouting. Just like before, Creed ends up going down to them. There's more shouting. For a moment, I am sure that one or more of them is going to come up here. I don't know what to do. Should I attempt to hide? There's the chest, as well as the closet. I look to the left and see a stack of wood piled high. None of them are very good as far as hiding places go. What if I move and a floorboard creaks? It can happen. Creed told me that they have better hearing than your average man. He told me not to move, so I just stand there, trying hard to control my breathing. I'm in a semi-panic right now at what is going on down there.

"She may not have survived!" Creed yells. "Her helicopter crashed, for fuck's sake."

"She did survive! Maximus had her, and someone blindsided him. Someone, according to him, who looks a lot like you."

There is more talking, but I can't make it out.

"She's alive. Someone has her. I think that someone is you, Creed. Where are you hiding her? Is she up there?"

A loud roar fills the air, causing the men below to become silent. I'm pretty sure it was Creed. I hold my breath, hoping that they will go away now. The tension in the air is thick, and I can practically feel my heart beating in my throat.

Please! Please! Let them leave now.

Please!

I close my eyes, saying a little prayer.

"For the last time, there is no female here." Creed's voice rumbles like thunder.

"I don't believe you."

Another loud roar fills the air again, and then there is the unmistakable sound of flesh against flesh. Are they fighting?

When more blows are exchanged, it becomes apparent that they are indeed fighting. I hear the strikes land with hard thuds. How hard are they hitting each other? The men fighting sound like animals as they snarl and growl. These mountain men sure are wild. No wonder Creed is so worried. My heart is going wild in my chest. I'm panting a little. I can't help it; I'm so afraid of what will happen if they find me. I'm also afraid for Creed. I would hate for something to happen to him on account of me.

Just as soon as the fight begins, it is over. There is a loud crash and then silence.

"There is no female here." Creed's voice booms. Thank god he is okay. I think the other guy is on the ground.

I sigh under my breath when the men start to leave.

"Whoever finds the female first keeps her," one male yells.

"She's mine!" another one snarls.

"Get off my property," Creed grumbles.

"I don't see a deed with your name on it."

"Here's your deed." There is another slapping noise followed by a yelp filled with both pain and rage. "Go away! All of you. I am growing tired of saying the same thing over and over again. There is no female here."

Nothing else happens, so I think they are leaving. I strain my ears, but I don't hear anything more aside from the sound of the wind in the leaves and a bird chirping. It sounds peaceful out there, but I know that isn't the case.

"What about him?" Creed snarls. "Take him with you. The two of you can carry him."

Is he talking about the guy he fought? Did he knock him out? I wish I could see what is going on. Then again, maybe it's better if I can't see them. It would probably terrify me more. After a few long minutes, Creed comes back up, sitting on his chair like nothing happened. I hear his knife scraping the wood.

This can't be happening!

How is this happening?

It feels like just the other day that I was getting my shit together. That I finally decided, at the age of twenty-four, what I was going to do with my life. And then that blasted letter arrived in the mail. The one with the bronze dragon embossed on the paper. The letter that ripped my life away from me. The letter that stated that I had been selected as a Tribute.

I stand there like a statue for a long time before putting the bucket down and taking a seat at the fireplace.

There are dozens of these guys roaming the area. They all know that I am here somewhere. I will sit quietly. I won't be caught. I will do everything Creed asks of me.

I can get through this. I will make it off this island. My mother always said that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. This is one of those things.

Creed

These conversations, some of them with my fists, with an endless stream of males are growing tiresome. One thing is for sure: we can't stay here for too much longer. They're growing more and more suspicious. My dominance has kept them away thus far, but it won't last long. Eventually, they will raid my cabin and find the human. With the thought of the soft female in their heads, they'll lose themselves more and more to their dragons and their instincts. It's only a matter of time.

I had hoped to stay put until their interest died down, but that isn't going to happen. I would shift and fly her to the city, but as soon as I am airborne, every dragon will be after me in an instant. They'll take us down, possibly killing the human in the process. I can't risk it. I have to stay in my human form. What I can't seem to make my mind up on, is whether or not to tell Octavia about what we are. On the one hand, it is important that she knows; on the other, I need her to trust me. To follow me and to listen to me without question. She might not do that if I show her. She might just run and scream, and then we're done for.

No.

I won't tell her.

Not just yet.

Soon.

I finally go inside. It's been quiet for over an hour. I think I can risk it. Octavia is sitting right where I told her to. Her eyes dart to me as I enter the cabin. She looks terrified.

Good!

She was altogether too calm earlier. Although I want her calm, I also want her on her toes, which isn't going to happen if she doesn't believe me about the severity of the situation.

The human gasps when she sees me. "You're bleeding," she whispers.

I pull on the jeans, noting that she looks away. She'd better get used to nudity real quick since there is going to be a lot of it.

I touch my mouth, feeling crusted blood. I know that there is a gash on my temple. It's already healing. "It's nothing," I mutter. "Scratches." I shrug. I look down at the spatter of blood on my chest. "This isn't mine. Are you hungry?"

She nods. "I could eat."

"You can sit over there." I gesture to a chair. "Nothing has changed, I need you to be quiet and not to move around."

She nods, looking pale and exhausted, if the black smudges under her eyes are anything to go by. Octavia does as I tell her. I grab a water-filled deerskin off the wall and hand it to her. "I'm sure you're thirsty."

She takes the skin, giving me a timid smile. "Thanks." Then she opens it, putting her mouth over the opening as she drinks, her eyes fluttering closed as her throat works.

Octavia moans softly, and my dick takes note, which irritates the fuck out of me. This is no time for feeling horny. It doesn't matter that I haven't been around a female in years, let alone had sex with one. My only concern should be getting the human to the city, where she will be safe. That's it!

I divert my attention, grabbing a few logs and starting a fire. Then I grab my knife and head back outside. I cut a chunk of rump off of the deer I hung there earlier. It'll make for good roasting over the fire.

"We're going to eat, and then I want you to get some sleep. We're leaving well before sunrise," I tell her as I return inside.

"So soon?" she asks. "I mean, I want to get back home, but I'm scared. I'm not sure how we're going to get to the other side of the island without anyone seeing us."

Now, she's catching on. I put the meat inside a skillet and then start to wash myself off in a basin with some water I get from a large container in the corner of my makeshift kitchen. I may not have running water and sanitation, but I refuse to live like an animal.

"Those men are…they're…" She shrugs. "I can't put my finger on it. Every instinct is telling me to hide, to stay hidden. They scare me." She gives a visible shiver.

Her instincts are spot on, which is a good thing. "I get that. I do. But we really can't stay. That guy who had you before I came along…"

She nods.

"I didn't think I'd ever seen him before, but he knows who I am because he has named me as the person who took you from him. He suffered a head injury, and, for now, the others are buying that he might have been confused, but my excuse won't fly for too much longer. They will come for you soon."

"So, we'll eat, and then we'll leave under the cover of darkness?" she says. "If we're very quiet, we should make it past all of them?" She lifts her brows; her eyes are pleading with me to give her some hope of escape.

I can't!

I'm pretty sure they've set up patrols around the area, looking for any sign of the female. Some of the less feral males will work together in groups until they find her. Once that happens, all hell will break loose. I can't let it happen. I don't even want to think about a feral male finding the human. I don't think she'll live long.

Octavia narrows her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that! You aren't saying anything. You're making me worried."

"I'm not going to lie to you, Octavia; you should be very worried. Understand that leaving under the cover of darkness won't help us all that much." I shake my head slowly.

She frowns. "Why not?" Then, realization dawns. "Let me guess; mountain men can see in the dark?"

"We can see better in the dark than your average human…yes." I nod.

"I'm not sure how, but okay…" She shrugs. "I'll have to take your word for it." She sighs.

Again, I'm glad she's catching on. It means we have more of a shot at surviving.

"There's something else I need to mention. Something very important."

"I know, I know…I have to obey you. Do everything you ask of me without question. I already agreed. I will do it, I swear."

I picture her wrapping her mouth around my cock like she did the waterskin. Of her obeying my every request. I picture her on her knees. All highly inappropriate, so I give a shake of my head and work hard at pulling my mind out of the gutter. I'm a dirty fuck. This is no time to be thinking with my dick.

I clear my throat. "Yes, but that's not what I wanted to say. If we are ambushed or confronted." Chances are good that we will be at some point. "I need you to get away. Don't try to help me." I shake my head. "You wouldn't be able to, anyway. You'll end up hurt if you do." Or worse. "We're… It's just that we're…"

I'm trying to come up with the right word when she says, "Wild. Those guys sounded wild out there." She points at my door. "They sounded like animals."

We sure did.

I nod. "Yep, that would just about sum it up. Some of these men are wilder than others. Some are more animal than man."

She sniggers softly, sounding scared shitless. I look her way, noting how her face has paled under all the soot. Yep, she's frightened, alright. Then I add another log to the fire, which is blazing nicely.

"What?"

"It's just that I recently read a romance novel about a woman who gets lost in the woods hiking and is found by a mountain man just as a snowstorm hits. She's terrified of him. He's big and totally wild. The mountain man takes her back to his cabin, where they have to hole up for days while the weather rages outside." She licks her lips. "I'm sure you can guess what happens while they're stuck together." She giggles softly, her cheeks turning a touch red. "The snowstorm ends, and it is soon safe for her to leave, but of course, by then, she doesn't want to. I won't bore you with the ending. It was a good book. I'm strangely reminded of it now." Her eyes widen, and she draws in a breath. "Not because of you and I being holed up. Not that we're going to…you know, but because of the whole mountain man situation."

"The mountain men out here are not nice like the one in your book. I'm not nice, either. If there is trouble, you run and you hide. You get to safety. You stay out of the way of danger. Forget your romance novels, Octavia."

"I know that…I know…okay," she says, her voice soft. "It's just that it's weird that I read the book not that long ago, and now I'm out here surrounded by mountain men." She shrugs. "And I have to disagree; you are nice."

"I'm not!"

"You're helping me, aren't you? I'm a stranger. You don't know me from Adam, and yet you're helping me without asking for anything in return."

I grunt. She's more than likely going to change her opinion of me before long, and I won't blame her.

Thing is, she's likening our situation to a fairy tale with a happy ending and a handsome fucking prince where they live happily ever after. Shit! Perhaps I got it wrong; perhaps she isn't catching on at all. She'd better catch on soon, or she'll be in for a rude awakening.