Monsterland Mayhem (Fairy Tales With A Monstrous Twist)

3. Ailsa

3

AILSA

Shouts and growls trail behind me as I sprint through the courtyard.

I can no longer feel my feet, my shoes cutting off the circulation to my toes. But I can’t stop— won’t stop—running.

At least my dress feels looser , I think, not bothering to determine why. There isn’t time. All I can do is go .

If they catch me, I’ll end up in Monsterland. Where the Silver King will breed me.

A shiver runs through me despite the heat assaulting my veins.

I do not want to be bred.

I just… I just want to be free. To be in the woods. To run with Beast. To live a carefree existence.

“Ailsa! Stop!”

I ignore the voice and keep running. Faster. Harder. With no real direction in mind, just… forward. Away. Anywhere but here.

Gods, this is bad. Very, very bad.

Something hisses near my ear, a sizzling sound that seems to echo all around me.

I gasp as another shock wave ripples through the air, resulting in grunts and shrieks all around.

What is happening to me? Since when do I have electrical powers? It feels foreign, like the gift isn’t actually mine, just covering me from head to toe.

An impossible sensation.

And yet, it zaps again when someone nears me. Like a protective shield.

I shiver and stumble, then shoot forward in an effort to reach the district gates. Pounding follows in my wake. I’m not sure if those boots belong to sentries or monsters. I don’t care. I simply run .

More of that static energy hums over me as I pass through the iron gates, creating a current in my wake. Or I assume that’s the cause of the buzzing I hear.

Screams echo behind me. I don’t turn to see the reason for them; I’m too focused on the trees ahead.

The forest.

My home.

My favorite place to hide.

Every step closer relieves a weight from my back, allowing me to push myself even more as I approach the edge of the trees.

I duck beneath the overgrown branches, then swerve toward the path I know by heart. Only, just before I find it, a giant white wolf jumps in my way.

A yelp catches in my throat as I stumble, trying not to land on Beast, but it’s too late. I fall into his soft fur with an Oomph , then roll to the side toward a nearby evergreen.

Oh, no… I look to the edge of the forest, expecting to see my many pursuers. However, no one is there. At least not until Beast blocks my view with his gorgeous face. He leans down to scent my neck, something he’s done since our very first meeting.

A subtle rumble touches his chest, the sound more purr than growl, then he slowly backs up and cocks his head in a “follow me” sort of way.

He’s done this before, but I’m not sure now is the time for another of our adventures.

I’m about to say as much when a trumpet sounds nearby, sending a chill down my spine.

Because that loud noise is swiftly followed by my name, demanding my immediate return.

Beast nuzzles me with his snout and repeats the motion.

“I—”

He growls, cutting off my protest before I can even utter it. Then he tilts his head once more with an irritated little huff.

I blink at him.

Where else am I going to go? I wonder.

“Fi—”

Another growl silences my acceptance.

Narrowing my gaze, I push up off the ground and wave toward the path, saying, Go on, then, without speaking.

His eyes hold mine for a beat, almost like he’s challenging me. Then he slowly turns in the direction he kept gesturing and leads me deeper into the woods.

Every so often, he checks over his shoulder to make sure I’m following. And each time he sees me, he seems to pick up speed.

I have no idea where we’re going, but the blaring horn behind us grows quieter with every step, suggesting this is the right way. At least for now.

Minutes pass, maybe even close to an hour, before Beast finally slows near a cave deep in the forest. He glances back at me, that purring rumble coming from his chest.

“Is this your den?” I ask him.

He shakes out his fur coat, leaving me uncertain if that’s a yes or a no . Then he trots inside.

My lips twist, uncertain if I should follow.

His big head pops out a moment later, and I swear I see exasperation in his light green eyes. When I don’t immediately move, he comes all the way out and takes my dress between his teeth to give it a tug.

I yelp as it rips, the too-tight fabric barely holding on after my sprint to the forest edge. I didn’t realize before, but the dress had torn all the way up from my thighs to my hips.

No wonder it felt looser , I think, glancing down at the tatters of blue and white. My white underwear and matching bra are completely exposed. Not that Beast seems to care. He’s too busy trying to drag me into the cave.

“Okay, okay!” I say. “I’ll follow you.”

He doesn’t let go, just yanks backward, causing me to stumble forward after him.

“Stop that,” I hiss at him.

He grumbles in response, still pulling.

“You’re going to tear my dress off, Beast!”

I swear he grunts.

Then he goes absolutely still, his pointy ears twitching. His green eyes find mine, and he releases a low warning growl.

“What is it?” I ask, instinctively whispering.

He does that strange head tilt thing again, and when I don’t immediately move, he walks around me to nudge my ass with his nose, shoving me toward the cave.

“Impatient much?” I mutter at him.

The wolf snorts in response.

Sometimes I swear he understands me.

Perhaps he does.

I’m about to comment on it when that blaring horn suddenly echoes off the surrounding trees, sending a chill down my spine.

I don’t think; I move, nearly jumping into the cave to duck out of sight.

Beast follows, then passes me to dart deeper into the cavern. I follow, but the uneven rocks beneath my thin shoes seem to reawaken the sharp pangs in my feet. Every step has me cringing, the pain growing stronger until I debate kicking off the flats and going barefoot instead.

Beast must notice my slow pace because he bounds back to me, his eyes glowing somewhat eerily in the dark. He glances over me, a snarl in his lip.

Then his attention goes over my shoulder, toward the sound of scuffles behind me.

“I found?—”

The words die as Beast lunges forward and tackles the owner of that male voice to the floor. A sharp crunch echoes around me, then a gurgling sound that has me scurrying away from the skirmish.

Because Beast didn’t make that noise. He caused it.

I have no idea what kind of being he just took down—a monster? A human? A fae? The choices were endless.

But he did it with unerring precision, confirming what I’ve always known about him—he’s deadly.

Yet as he returns to me, he simply rubs against my side with that purring rumble again and nudges me forward once more.

I should be mortified by what he just did, especially since the evidence of it lingers around his snout. But all I feel is relief.

He’s keeping me safe.

Beast always keeps me safe.

It’s been this way for two years.

And even though I probably shouldn’t, I… I trust him. He’s been my only friend here. The only one who seems to look out for me as much as I do him.

In a world of chaos, befriend the wolf, I think. His intentions are always clear.

Except right now as he pauses by an unexpected watering hole.

He stares at it like he’s conflicted about whether to swim through it or try to balance on the rocky edge to go around it.

I creep forward and kneel to test the water, curious about its temperature and potential depth.

My fingers graze the top, only the substance doesn’t move like liquid.

It… it feels like glue.

I jerk my hand back, and the darkness comes with me. Yelping, I try to dislodge the sticky glob.

“Oh!” I cry out as the inky texture starts crawling up my arm. “What is this?!”

I attempt to stand, to jump backward.

And scream as the thick substance yanks me into the obsidian pool.

My face meets the strange liquid, muffling my protests. Panic surges through my limbs, my arms instantly trying to right myself, to bring my head back up for air.

But I only seem to be going down .

Sinking.

Drowning.

My heart beats faster in my chest, creating a thrumming in my ears that sounds ominous and chilling.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t swim.

I can’t do anything other than allow the black glue to take me down, down, down .

I hope Beast doesn’t follow me or try to help. There’s no escaping this bizarre fate. It’s so dark. And heavy. And… and…

My brow furrows. And gone, I realize as my hand suddenly meets air.

I wave my arms and kick my legs, surprised to find them free.

What…?

Another shriek escapes me as air whips around me, my long hair tangling in the wind as the sensation of falling spikes through my veins.

“Oh!” My limbs pinwheel as I try to grab something— anything— to stop my fall.

But there’s nothing here.

Just more darkness.

Light air.

And whooshing sounds.

My dress flaps around me, my shoes long gone thanks to the bizarre liquid. I’m not too upset by that last part. But I wish I knew what was?—

Blinding light has my arms flying up to meet my face, my palms instantly covering my eyes.

Then everything stops on a violent splash.

Gasping, I struggle, the icy water an unwelcome sensation against my skin. I know how to swim, but this… this has all been so jarring. So overwhelming. So impossible that I… I can’t… I just…

My lungs scream with the need for oxygen, my mouth threatening to open. But I’m submerged. I’m lost in this chilly sea of unfamiliarity. Drown?—

Something grabs my wrist, jerking me out of the waves as a sturdy band encircles my lower back.

I gasp as fresh air hits my face, my chest instantly filling on a much-needed inhale.

“You’re all right, sweetheart,” a deep voice murmurs near my ear. “I’ve got you.”

I freeze.

It wasn’t a something that grabbed my wrists, but a someone . And that sturdy band was a muscular arm.

My eyelashes flutter as I try to focus— to see —but all I end up doing is slamming them shut as water drips into my eyes.

“Shh,” he hushes.

I will not shh . I have no idea who is touching me, how I ended up here, or where here even is!

I flail in his arms, earning me a grunt from my captor.

Or… or savior , I guess. He saved me. Sort of. Maybe.

And he’s very strong because those bands— arms —of his wrap even more securely around me as he drags me through the water.

I don’t stop squirming until he pins me to the sandy beach, his athletic form easily dwarfing mine despite my five-foot-seven height.

“Ailsa,” he says, my name a caress with that soothing baritone.

I blink. What…?

My lashes flutter once more as I finally focus on the man above me.

Or rather… creature .

Monster?

His face… it’s… it’s covered in skull makeup. Black ink. Black irises. Long black lashes. Thick black hair. Everything is black .

Except the hollows around his eyes are white.

And his lips… his lips are white, too.

A scream bubbles up inside mine, only to be smothered by his palm covering my mouth. “Ailsa,” he says again, his knowledge of my name only making my heart beat that much faster. “You’re safe. Or you will be. But I need you to be quiet. You landed in an unexpected place.”

That’s an understatement.

Nothing about this is expected .

First, I found out I’m an Omega—something I’m convinced is a mistake.

Then I ran through the forest after a wolf and stupidly followed him into a cave.

Where I fell into a black pit.

That turned into sky.

That eventually became this .

My gaze darts around as I try to define what this is, and I realize the beach I’m on isn’t a beach at all. It’s… it’s a cloud.

No, that’s not right.

It’s just white like a cloud. Soft. Squishy. Like cotton .

And the water we just escaped is bright red. Not blue. Not translucent. Not even turquoise. But red . Like blood.

My gaze flies to the trees dotting the cotton-like beach. They’re all pink with flowers instead of leaves.

“I’m going to remove my palm from your mouth,” the male above me says. “But I need you to be a good girl and stay quiet for me, okay?”

My lids flutter again, the blinking instinctual as I stare up at this skull-faced madman. Beneath the makeup, I can see defined cheekbones and a square jaw, his features clearly handsome even with the paint. Or perhaps, made even more handsome because of the paint.

I have serious issues , I decide.

His dark eyes narrow like he heard that. “Are you going to be a good girl for me or a naughty little rabbit?” he asks.

I’m not sure I like that question, something I convey by arching a brow.

“I see,” he murmurs. “Well, you should know, the louder you scream, the more punishments you’ll earn. I happen to like my cards, and I would hate to waste them on the blossom gremlins.”

Now I just… stare. Because what? Cards? Blossom gremlins?

He smirks and removes his hand, only to replace it with a quick and unexpected kiss against my lips. “Hold that thought, darling,” he murmurs, rolling off of me and onto his feet in a fluid motion that leaves no question as to his inhuman status.

Definitely something other .

He whistles, a deck of cards appearing in his palm as he shuffles the item between his hands. I frown at him, not understanding what he’s doing or why. But clearly this has something to do with his comment regarding his?—

A card sails through the air so fast I jump.

Only to nearly scream as it slices right through the neck of an approaching creature with very sharp teeth.

“What—”

Another appears, this one taken down in a blink by a flick of the madman’s wrist.

Chattering begins, causing the skull-faced male to sigh. “You realize I have fifty more of these, yes?” He renews his shuffling and starts sending cards all over the beach, knocking down the two-foot-tall beings with a precision that is borderline insane.

He whistles the whole time, then pauses as the ground begins to shake.

“Ah, fuck,” he mutters. “Tattletales.” He spins toward me. “Time to go, gorgeous.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I tell him, scooting backward along the sand— cloud —and freezing when my hand meets the water’s edge.

He arches a single dark brow, the movement causing the white paint around his eye to widen slightly. “I’m not sure you understand the choice you’re making, darling rabbit.” His gaze skates down my body. “You’re practically naked, and a very deadly, very horny bull is about to part those trees. And while I’m good at a lot of things, taming a bull-man isn’t one of them. You feel me?”

I blink at him. Practically naked? I glance down, my lips parting at the state of my dress. It’s… it’s basically no longer there. All I’m left in is my panties, which are translucent thanks to my time in the water.

If only the red color had soaked into my white garments, too.

Alas, no.

I… Yeah, I’m practically naked, just like he said. Great .

“So what’s it going to be, darlin’?” he drawls, adopting a strange sort of Southern twang. “Me or that?” He points to the trees as a giant being with large horns breaks through the forest’s edge. His feet are hooved, his legs hairy, but his upper body is all athletic male. At least until I reach his face, which has a large snout and two fiery red eyes.

Those eyes take in the massacre along the cotton-like beach before finding me near the water.

Steam billows out from his nose as he looks at me.

“Tick, tock, sweet rabbit,” the skull-faced man singsongs. “Tick, tock.”