he left his pack for a while to follow this tailless one he had decided to make his mate, camped with a small escort an hour away from her Silvermoon tribe. Her elders had already accepted the gifts, though it was more like payment and now all he had to do was take her, the contract was for tomorrow morning. He hadn't seen her yet

He frowned as he heard someone approaching his camp, sounding unsure. His instincts urged him to prepare for battle, but he held back when his ears told him the approacher was female. He growled softly in annoyance at himself. "Identify yourself," he called out gruffly, making sure his voice showed no fear or hesitation.

If it were a threat, they would deal with it. But it might also be Rina, coming to meet her future mate... and the thought made him a little uneasy.

The female halted at his growl. Good, he thought to himself. He waited in silence, letting her feel the weight of his stare, then said calmly, "I am Sarient Blackfang." It was a statement more than an introduction.

His eyebrow twitched as he sensed her uncertainty. She wasn't supposed to be like this... at least not yet. He growled deep in his throat, a mix of annoyance and possessiveness. "What do you want?" he demanded. "Why are you here?"

He narrowed his eyes as the female moved to turn away. "No," he snarled, baring his teeth in warning. "You are not leaving." He took a step forward, looming over her. "Now either tell me what you want or face the consequences." His voice was cold and threatening, but there was an undeniable tension in it, as if he didn't truly relish the thought of having to use force against her.

He hoped she would see reason and speak up; if not, he wasn't entirely sure how long his patience could hold out before he lost control completely.

His expression darkened further as he heard her sniffling and saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "Then talk," he growled, taking another step closer. He wasn't sure what she wanted to say or why it was so important that she did it now, but for some reason, the thought of her leaving without speaking weighed heavily on him.

"Well?" he demanded impatiently. "Out with it."

His teeth clenched as he listened to her, anger and frustration boiling up inside him. But then a different emotion began to creep in... pity? He felt an urge to comfort her, even though she was the one who had come seeking him out uninvited. He forced himself to speak calmly, his voice low and soothing despite his inner turmoil. "It's alright," he said gently. "You don't have to leave." He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone firm but not unkind. "But you can't keep running away from your problems like this. Tell me what's wrong, and we'll see if there's something I can do to help."

"I know you're scared," he said softly, taking another step closer. "But I won't hurt you. I can help you... if you let me." His gaze never wavered from hers as he waited for her response. It was a risky move, letting his guard down like this with an unknown female who could just as easily be a spy or a threat... but something inside him told him she wasn't. And the thought of leaving her alone, unprotected and uncertain... it made his chest ache.

He nodded slowly, allowing her the space to continue at her own pace. "You can talk to me," he said reassuringly. "I'm here to listen." His expression softened further as he met her gaze, his eyes unreadable but somehow comforting.

For a long moment, they stood there in silence, the tension between them slowly beginning to dissipate as they connected on some deep level. It was uncertain ground for both of them, but Blackfang found himself willing to take the risk if it meant protecting and helping this small, fragile creature before him...

He sat down beside her on the stone, careful not to crowd her. "You can tell me whatever it is," he said gently, his expression serious and attentive. "I'm here to help." It was a simple offer, but somehow it felt more genuine than anything he'd ever said before. Maybe because he meant it.

Blackfang's brow furrowed as she spoke her name. He hadn't expected that. "You are Rina Artay," he said, his voice neutral. "I came to take you back with me as my mate." He paused, studying her reaction before continuing, "Your family has already agreed to the arrangement."

He waited for her response, unsure how she would react but bracing himself just in case.

His expression softened as he listened to her words. He knew what it was like to be hurt, disrespected... used. "I understand," he said gently, careful not to sound accusatory. "But I can change that. You don't have to be treated like property; you don't have to be given away." His gaze met hers, hope and determination burning in his eyes.

"If you come with me, Rina... if you let me make you my mate... I will protect you. I will take care of you, and I will never let anyone hurt you again." His words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. "You don't have to be alone anymore. You can belong to someone who loves and respects you."

He paused, giving her time to think over his offer. It was a risky gamble on both their parts; she could refuse him and face an

"No," he said firmly, shaking his head. "That doesn't matter." His hand reached out to brush a lock of hair behind her ear, the touch gentle and reassuring. "What matters is that you don't have to live like this anymore. You can belong somewhere, with someone who loves and accepts you for who you are."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I know it's a lot to ask of you... but please, consider my offer. Let me show you what being together could be like." His expression grew more pleading as he spoke, the desire to make her understand and accept him clear in his eyes.