Her Domain
The long awaited sequel to Her Power, the fifth installment of the series. I know for some nothing may be worth the wait it has taken to write this but I do hope you all enjoy!
It was almost sweet bliss, despite their dark and dreadful surroundings. Perhaps John briefly went mad but he could almost feel admiration for this wicked wolf. Despite the kidnapping, looming threat of being devoured, and lack of consideration on how he felt about the matter, there was something about Arrana. She knew how to please him, she kept him fed, and seemed protective of him even if it is because she saw the human as her property. Revulsion twisted into reverence of his mistress and he found himself cuddling her underbelly as he suckled out a quick snack. This fleeting moment of peculiar tranquility was shattered as Arrana leaped up with a ghastly growl that would make even hell shiver.
“What's wrong?" John asked while shouting with surprise, the comparatively frail human being flung from the great wolf as she leaped up on her paws.
John watched as she immediately grew in the same unsettling fashion, her immense canine form turning a fiery crimson as her eyes filled with hate and the intent to kill. Arrana towered in front of the insignificant male, standing as strong as a bulwark in front of her pet, her growling muzzle locked towards the entrance tunnel. Suddenly he began to hear it, a series of low, heavy thuds that were almost in sync with his pounding heart. Adrenaline was strangling his already shaken nerves, terrified to imagine what could put the black wolf on edge like this. Hearing her hot, heavy pants and seeing the fur start to stand on the ridge of her back, the human got the mortifying impression that this bestial mistress may be afraid as well.
“Delicious….I can cut the air with a claw," a hideous, barking laugh echoed in the cave. “Why so tense, my dear Arrana? Don't you miss me?"
“Garrl, you bastard! You get away from here right now before I tear out your heart and feed it to the crows!" roared the female wolf, her rage magnifying her voice to the point of shaking small stones from the cave ceiling.
“Now, now, don't be upset my dear. I hope to mend broken bonds. We can rule together, you and I. All we have to do is eat that pesky human. You shouldn't be so attached to those pitiful creatures. I will show you what it is like to be with a real mate," Garrl snarled, revealing his much more horrifying form.
The white wolf was now slightly bigger then Arrana in her new form, barley able to fit through the tunnel as he slowly prowled into the main chamber. Hideous, foot-long, bone protrusions down his back and on his shoulders made a spikey defense, limiting the angles of where an attack could strike at him. Nightmarish still, his muzzle was unnaturally elongated and as he widen his maw with each sinister breath, John could have swore the male wolf had multiple rows of vicious teeth. Garrl was not just monster or spirit like Arrana, the human was certain he was a demon from hell.
“You are so cute when your angry, Arrana. Do you actually think you can best me after all these years? While you were off coddling your pets, I was feeding, I was growing, I was changing. I was ravenous for revenge but that inferno has long since died out. I want to make things right, you are the only one who can be my queen", Garrl growled with a grin that John certainly wished he could un-see.
“I have been waiting a long time to finally be rid of you, Garrl. I think I will feed you other eye to my human, the boy could use the protein. You may have been gorging yourself on others but there is nothing you can eat to steel yourself from my wrath. You had the audacity to come to my home and threaten my human? All the years have done is made you a fool." Arran snarled as she leapt forward.
The two colossal canines crashed into each other with such ferocity and force that the earth itself quaked. John was helpless knocked off his feet and he quickly scampered away from the whirlwind of gnashing teeth. Arrana and Garrl were locked in a deadly dance, wrestling and snapping at each other with jaws that could demolish small cars, let alone swallow a human with one grotesque gulp. They struggled to tear at each other's vitals while trying to avoid a fatal strike themselves, blood and clumps of fur raining down onto the cavern floor. The human had never witnessed anything like this brutal battle of beasts, crawling away to cower in a far corner. The two massive wolves rolled into a pile of decaying bones, pulverizing it while leaving sharp shards lodge into their bloody fur.
It was clear there was no sanctuary while he remained in the cave, the human had to escape before being trampled or torn to ribbons by immense fangs. As Arrana and Garrl tumbled to the end farthest from the cave entrance, a surge of adrenaline and a hell of a lot off motivation raced John out of certain death. He ignored the pain shooting up his bare feet as he stepped on small stones as he ran like he was chased by death itself. He could barely see but the fear of tripping was furthest from his mind. He had to escape, he had to get out of this nightmarish world. He nearly fell on his face as his entire body ceased up once Arrana's howl of pain rang in his ears. Her ferocity and vicious nature made up for what she lacked in size but he still doubted that she could beat a monster like Garrl.
Shaking off the grim feeling and oddly compassionate thoughts for his captor, John resumed running for his life, for the glimmer of freedom. He was not sure but if there was a chance he could return home, to escape this realm he had to try. Finally a beacon of hope, the warm glow of sunlight was just ahead of him. New found vigor propelled the man towards the light, every muscle in his body ached as his lungs heaved in the fresh, cool air. It was a few more steps before John leapt forward, hurtling out of the cave entrance and causing Nia to nearly jump out of her fur.
“Are you trying to scare me to death?" Nia Shrieked, her entire body shivering.
“Wait, why are you here? Are you going to turn me in to Garrl?" John panted, dread filling his belly once more after the tumbling sensation stopped.
“Absolutely not!," the silver fox exclaimed as if she was offended by the mere though. “I adore you too much for that, Garrl would eat me whole is I said no. Maybe I can hide you away all to myself, all he really wants is Arrana," she suggested with a sultry tone as she walked towards the human.
“I need to leave this place, I don't belong here. No human does! Please, I am begging you, do you know of a way for me to return to my world? Garrl said this is a realm beyond it but there has to be a way to return," the man pleaded, kneeling down to be closer to eye level with her.
“Oh, why certainly there is a way out. This realm is kept from your world by an ancient veil, a river serving as a barrier. If you can cross that river then you can return home. It is to the west of here, much closer than you think but unless you were aware of it, you couldn't find it. It is the terrible power Arrana holds to keep her humans trapped here," the fox replied.
“Really, I just need to cross a river? No intense spiritual journey that will test my mind and heart till the limit, with certain death accompanying failure?" John asked, caught off guard by the relatively mundane answer.
“You must be listening to way to many wild stories, human. Run along now, you want to go home so you better start heading to the river," Nia replied, almost shooing him off.
“Why are you telling me this? You wanted me to stay with you, how I should know you are not tricking me. This could be a devious trap to keep me to yourself!" John accused, his hope stifled by doubt.
“Oh, I have no motivation to trick you. I can see in your eyes and I know the outcome. I merely am trying to help you to your goal. Be safe, John," Nia happily explained, walking off with a wide smile on her muzzle.
The human was very lucky that it was the middle of the afternoon, sunlight piercing the tall and twisted branches. Even outside Arrana's cave, John always had the weight of ominous tidings in his gut. The sun didn't help as much as he thought but it at least allowed him to see enough to avoid stepping on every fallen branch and thorny root that protruded this beaten dirt path. The path was a curiosity itself, covered with animal tracks of all sizes, mundane and mystical. Its style was more something to be expected of a trail human explorers blazed through unknown territory but he was the only human he ever saw here and he had doubts that Arrana made her previous pets build trails to what would be their means of escape.
As the sun lazily travel along the tree-obscured sky, shadows danced in front of the man's curious green eyes. The dark, twisted shapes danced on the trees and forest floor to create an amalgam of menacing figures. Some appeared as helpless silhouettes of people being savaged by carnivorous beasts and others to the forms of creatures far more mortifying then he dared to dream with countless hungry jaws and gnashing teeth. Anxiety and paranoia welled up from his very core, John letting out a shrill cry as a cool breeze brushed across his body and made a mess of his shaggy brown hair. He felt like the grim reaper was breathing down his neck and somehow that welcoming incandescence of the sun was stolen away by an eerie glow. Then he heard it, a sound that he never thought he would hear again.
It was a low rumble, the sound of gravel crackling under the heavy construct of steel and alloys. The exhaust was sputtering away as the sound slowly died off, the vehicle pulled further away. There was a god's honest, civilized road somewhere ahead of him with actual cars driving on it. John released the burden of his fear and charged head long through the macabre shadows that taunted him. Long forgotten joys welled up deep in his soul as he shoved low hanging branches out of his way, determined to see the wonder for himself. As he got closer, he could hear the sound of running water, the definitive proof that the river was just ahead. The human emerged from the foliage, certainly looking mad as he was dirty, naked, and had quite the wild look in his eyes.
Before him was the river, a good 20 feet across with unknown depth and a solid current rushing down to the south. Other the other side was the blacktop marvel, a paved and relatively well groomed road that the state paid for and maintained. Beyond the river was the steel guard rail he had to climb over, a paltry obstacle to say the least. The bright headlights of more cars heading up the road quickly flew by, the fact that they did not see the nude, dirty man out in the open or even give half a double take solidified the idea there truly was some sort of veil blocking him from civilization. As he walked towards the river, fearless in the presence of his salvation, his mind began to wonder to his captor…to his mistress.
The dim glow of the natural cave crystals shed their pale purple light over the grisly scene. The bones of the long-deceased meals were accompanied by large puddles of fresh crimson. The battle was over, both combatants were heavily gashed and bruised but it was Garrl who leaned over Arrana, panting shallowly on the ground. Whatever power, whatever changes Garrl came across on his quest for revenge were just enough to tip the scale in his favor. He inhaled the aroma of pain, defeat, and gore and smiled cruelly at his victory. Arrana was slumped on the floor, uncharacteristically quiet and her rage was boiling over at her loss but her spirit was broken. She would scheme and find a way to truly make him pay but she knew she had to bear whatever sick plans the male wolf had for her.
“Ah, dear Arrana. You have always been so feisty. I love how you howl, the scent of your blood. It is so….invigorating," he whispered sadistically as he sniffed along her wounded back.
“Enjoy it….while you can..," Arrana wheezed, “you will get all that you deserve."
“Oh, I am going to take all that I have earned first. You were always destined to be my mate." The white wolf sneered as he started to sniff towards her hind quarters.
Garrl was anticipating another fight to take what he wanted from the female but to his pleasant surprise, she rolled over on her back and exposed her canine flower for him. He quickly buried he muzzle into her nethers to inhale her delightful musky scent, the arousal building in his sheath. The wolf was enamored by the thoughts of what he was going to do to his defiant mate. It would be a delicious irony to make her carry the pups of the one she despises so much. He leaned in to lick her thick, black vulva, so lost in the sensation he did not hear the soft sounds of bare feet creeping up to him. Garrl's one good eye jolted open as soon as he felt the intent to kill, just in time to see the silhouette of John plunging a broken femur into it.
The great, sadistic wolf let out a soul shivering howl of agony, swinging his great head into the human with such force it knocked him into the very same bone pile he scavenged his makeshift spear. Blinded but driven by unadulterated fury, Garrl was intent on sniffing out the human and eating him slowly, legs first, to savor his screams but he never had a chance. Seeing her opening, Arrana used the last of her strength to leap up, her jaws tearing into her prey's exposed throat and tearing it asunder. The enraged howls were muffled and gurgled as the macabre rain of red quickly rushed out of his mortal wound. The vitality hastily draining from him, all the once great Garrl could do was curse both of them silently as he collapsed over and as beckoned to his end.
“I am so glad you are still okay. I am so glad that I wasn't too late." John coughed, a trickle of crimson leaking from the corner of his mouth.
“What is wrong human?" Arrana asked with a tenderness that caught John off guard.
“I think…I think I may have landed on something," the human coughed out in replied, trying to stand up but falling forward to reveal the jagged rib that was piercing into his exposed back.
“That bastard did get his revenge in his last moments it seems. Don't move so much, stay there," the black wolf ordered with concern in her eyes.
“I don't know why but I couldn't take a single step in the water. Despite all you did to me….I think….I love you," John managed to admit as his breathing became shallow.
“Hush now, no need to spill your confessions. I knew when you left that you would return. I could see it in your heart that you belonged to me. To be honest, you wouldn't have been able to step in the river if you wanted to, it is far too late for that," Arrana said softly as she snuggled up next to her frail human.
“I just regret that now that I realize my feelings, we are going to be separated. I will take solace in the fact you will be able to move on," the man said as he struggled back tears.
“Garrl took my human away from me but don't fret. You are not leaving me, John. I already said you belong to me," the female wolf replied as she licked at the tears running down his cheeks.
Arrana stayed by John, comforting him with her surprisingly tender licks as he slipped from consciousness. His bravely only confirmed her thoughts on him, that he was truly a worthy pet. No, more than that, he was truly a worthy mate. She looked at the chaos and carnage that was stern about her home, the mayhem that damned Garrl caused but it was over now. If nothing else, the male wolf would make a hearty meal later but for now she had to rest. Arrana black muzzle widen into a yawn as she cuddled against John, knowing that it would take time and there was no point just sitting around and waiting.
Morning started to creep up into the sky once more, the warm rays on her silver fur caused Nia to slowly rise. She did a cute yawn and shook the sleep out of her bright eyes before looking at the cave entrance. The fierce battle was over and she was certain that Garrl was the victor. She did feel bad for letting him bully her into guiding him into Arrana's cave but he would have ate her if she didn't. What struck her was knowing that Arrana's death would break John's heart, seeing that he did love Arrana even if his mind didn't admit it. Curious about the outcome, Nia slowly trotted into the cave with confidence that Garrl at least wouldn't harm her after her unwilling help. The seen she came across, however, was the last thing she expected.
Garrl laid dead, a good third of his corpse already served a bountiful meal for the black wolf. Arrana was currently sitting over the body of the human, seeming to have fallen in the struggle with Garrl. Nia would have been swept away by grief if not for the shocking events unraveling right before her. It looked like John's back had swelled up as if incubating some large infant. It was deeply unsettling, even for a spirit like her, and she soon realized what was occurring. Arrana began to bite and tear at the pale flesh, peeling it away not to reveal blood and gore but brown fur.
The wolf worked at removing the fleshy prison and soon stumbled out what appeared to be a brown wolf, a little larger then Nia but not quite as large as Arrana. Arrana's eyes were filled with glee and she began to nudge this new “pup", causing him to stir and open his green eyes. The fox was breathless, it was not impossible but she didn't know that the black wolf's control extended this deep. That brown wolf, that was John's soul re-made into a loyal spirt belonging to his mistress. John opened his eyes, not used to seeing the world from this position or standing on all fours.
“What happened? What happened to me!" he yapped, surprised by his new form.
“I told you we wouldn't be separated. You belonged to me, after all. Although I lost my human pet, you have been reborn into a nice little mate for me. You will grow more in time, maybe even rivalling me. However, you will always belong to me," Arrana said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“I am going to have to get used to not having hands," John grumbled, though his new sense allowed him to catch a wiff of Nia.
“Ah, you noticed her too. Come here, little fox. My pup just came into this realm and he needs someone to break this new body in with. I think you would be the perfect little vixen," Arrana snickered, knowing she was going enjoy ruling this realm as her domain.