We were sitting down on a pile of hay at the back of Ruddy's stall. I was sitting with my back against the wooden wall with my legs out in front of me while the girl was curled up on her side with her head on my lap. Her cheeks were stained red while her eyes were bloodshot and yet still more tears dribbled from them.

I ran my fingers through her ratty black hair while her bony hands clasped my own tightly, not wanting to let go even if her life depended on it.

"I've known no other life besides this one." She suddenly started. I said nothing while continuing to pet her hair. "I've never met a Nightwalker like you. So caring, so understanding..."

"It's just how I am." I replied.

She turned over and looked up at me while still resting her head on my lap. "Do you want my blood?" She asked bluntly.

I stopped my stroking for a second before continuing. I shook my head while a rueful smile came to my lips. "No my dear. I don't want your blood."

"Then what do you want from me?"

"Nothing. I just want you to know that not all creatures are the same as Enrique." I told her sincerely. "I use to live on the streets before I was Changed. I was abused and hurt by the villagers where I lived and I didn't understand why. It was my Mistress who saved me from a death less meaningful than a worm's. Because of her I was able to meet many amazing people and learn so many new things I never even tried to even hope to learn."

"Really?" She asked in surprise.

I smiled softly and nodded my head. "I was living such an insignificant life that I even forgot my name."

"You don't know your name?"

"Yeah, I know it sounds silly, but I was on the streets for so long it felt monogamous and mind numbing that I just started to forget things about myself. I forgot my name first, then started missing days, weeks. There are just blank spaces where memories should be inside my head."

"How did you end up on the street?"

"I'm not entirely sure what happened, but I know, it's about the only thing I can remember from my past, that my parents were killed somehow and for some reason. I must have gotten away and just started living on the streets."

"How did you survive?"

"Begging mostly. Pleading to people who didn't know who I was to give me any change they could spare so that I could buy week old bread and moulding cheese."

"I'm sorry." She whispered sincerely while reaching a small hand up to touch my cheek in a comforting manner.

I smiled down at her and placed my own much larger hand around her before pressing a soft kiss to her palm. "Thank you."

"What do they call you now, if you don't have a name?"

"My Mistress and her other guards call me Pet, while Anon, the big grey wolf, calls me Alpha and a friend of mine back at the estate calls me Purple because of my eyes."

The girl giggled as one of her fingers traced the skin under one of my eyes. "I like your eyes, I like Purple."

I chuckled softly with her while thanking her again. "And what are you called around here?" I asked in return.

Her smile slightly faded as a far away looked came to her storm grey eyes. "My mother called me Athena, but I'm mostly called 'girl' by the older servants or 'whore' by the Nightwalkers."

I frowned as anger bubbled and made my mana spike inside me. Her hand touching my face again pulled me back and I looked down into her eyes. "Athena, that's a beautiful name, very befitting for a beautiful girl."

Athena clearly didn't believe me but she blushed and giggled anyway. "Thank you."

I looked up and out of a window that was just a hole in the wall. It was dark meaning that the sun has finally fully set. "Where do you sleep Athena?" I asked looking down at the little human.

"Usually on the ground in the kitchens with the other younger servants, but I think I'll just sleep here for tonight." She replied before yawning.

"Okay then, Ruddy will keep you safe so get some sleep. I'm sure you're going to be worked hard tomorrow, you'll need all the rest you can get." I told her while she once again rolled onto her side though this time her face was against my stomach and she wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Will you stay until I fall asleep?" She asked quietly.

"Yes and I'll be here when you wake too." I promised her while once again running my hand slowly over her head soothingly.

"Okay." She barely muttered as I softly slid mana into her making her fall into a peaceful and dreamless sleep.

It wasn't long before the silence was interrupted. I looked up at the stall to see Anon leaning against the door with a soft smile on his lips.

"How is she?" He asked quietly.

"Asleep for now. What am I going to do Anon? I can't leave her here, not now. She's so young." I sighed softly.

"I'm sorry Alpha, I don't know. You can ask Aviva, lady Aviva," he corrected himself quickly with a slight smirk I couldn't help but match, "about it. Who knows maybe you can buy her off of him somehow."

I shook my head. "I have no money for one Anon, and two I highly doubt Mistress would want to do a deal with someone like Enrique in the first place."

"Well you don't know until you ask now do you?" He replied with a raised eyebrow.

I sighed again. "You're right. I'll ask tomorrow."

"Okay then. Are you hungry?"

"No, I'm good for a while yet since I haven't expended much energy since we left. By the way, who's with Galen looking over Mistress?" I enquired now realising that she was left attended now by both me and Anon.

"Lucas is with them and Georgia. You shouldn't look down on that girl either, she's a fairy." Anon answered. "I don't know how lady Aviva managed to get one under her in both bed and dominance since fairies can be quite pesky and hate being commanded by others that aren't their queen or king."

"A fairy? Really?" I asked in surprise. I thought Georgia was just human.

"Yep, she's pretty good with mana, spells and potions. I've heard that their blood is almost like the taste of blessed fruit and has magical qualities. I'm also curious about their relationship, I mean, they're barely ever apart." Anon said sounding like he was just speaking out loud to himself.

"Huh... you're right, I wonder if they're lovers or mates." I agreed now thinking about my Mistress's relationship with the short woman.

"I don't think they're mates, but most probably lovers."

"My Mistress pleasured me in the baths the first time I woke up Changed. Georgia was there watching..." I blushed remembering that time in the baths when it was the first time in my life I had ever felt pleasure.

"Really?" Anon exclaimed and I hissed at him to be quiet as Athena stirred slightly on my lap. "Sorry." He apologised in a whisper while I scowled at him.

"Yes, I was telling her how I use to be forced to bed with males and that I've never felt pleasure during it so she made me experience what it's meant to be like."

It was Anon's turn to scowl as he glared down at the ground gritting his teeth. "I wish I could rip their raping tools from their bodies."

"Forget it Anon, it's the past and I can't even remember their faces let alone how many there were." I muttered feeling disgusted in myself. "Anyway, I think you should do a round around the servants tents with Hawk just to make sure everything is okay."

"Okay." He agreed but I knew he wasn't letting it go. "You better be here when I return."

"I won't move an inch." I assured him with a soft smile before he left.

It wasn't long though before he was back, this time in his wolf form, and with clothes held in his mouth. He dropped them beside me before sitting back on his hunches.

You should go check on lady Aviva, I'll stay here with the pup. He suggested to me.

I was reluctant to agree even though my bottom half of my body was becoming numb, but I knew I could trust her safety to him.

She might freak out when she sees you. I warned him even as I started slowly moving the girl off of my lap and onto the hay where Anon then curled up around her. Immediately and in an action that melted my heart, Athena turned around and snuggled into Anon's pelt while letting out a contented sigh.

Or not, but just in case, come back before she wakes up. Anon suggested and I could hear the smile in his voice as he looked down at the girl.

Alright, then I'll be back soon. I told him as I stood up and started stretching my numb legs and massaging my butt to get feeling back into it before heading off to where my Mistress was staying.

I have to admit that I was a bit scared going around the dark castle alone but I was confident in my skills to protect myself. I finally made it to the rooms and walked in to find my Mistress standing by the fireplace a glass of something in her hands while Galen was by the window on the right wall reading a book.

"How is the girl?" My Mistress questioned without looking away from the fire.

"She's sleeping now. I'm sorry if I stepped out of place by comforting her when she'll most probably never be able to leave this place." I sighed softly, sadly.

"You have a big heart Pet. You have to be careful in a world like ours when and how you show that heart. If you are indeed what we think, you defending a slave girl could give you away." My Mistress warned me while turning her head so that her golden eyes that shimmered along with the fire were looking at me with a concerned seriousness.

"I understand Mistress." I nodded my head with a short bow.

"I'll think of a way for the girl to come back with us, but do not get you're hopes up."

I was surprised to say the least. I smiled softly at my Mistress. "You say I have a big heart, yet you have shown me nothing but kindness and leniency since you found me near dead on the streets."

My Mistress let a soft smile grace her ethereal features. "You've been worth it, Pet, now go back. That wolf might scare the poor girl into not wanting to come back with us."

I laughed softly before bowing low to her. "Yes Mistress." I said before turning and leaving back through the door I had entered.

It was still dark and I know that Athena will sleep for a bit longer yet, so I took a quick detour around where our servants were sleeping to check that everything was okay and said a hello to Hawk who nodded back before continuing his circuit.

I was almost at Ruddy's stall when I heard a gasp then a quick movement and a spike of fear mixed with wonder going though the mana that surrounded me. I looked into the stall to see Athena hiding behind one of Ruddy's legs as she looked at Anon with large eyes.

"Don't worry Athena, he won't hurt you. He was looking after you while I had to do something." I told the girl making her jump again since she wasn't expecting me to be behind her. "Sorry darling." I apologised as I walked into the stall.

Athena immediately tackled me into a hug pressing her face into my chest while her arms wrapped around me as tightly as her thin arms could. "You disappeared." She whispered.

"Not for long dear and I have complete trust in Anon in protecting you." I told her while running my hand down from her head and over her back. "Come on, I think you hurt Anon's feelings. Look he's nothing but a puppy in a man's, I mean wolf's, body."

The girl turned around slowly but didn't let go of me and looked towards Anon, only t see a goofy wolf smile on his face as he looked at us upside down on his back with his legs splayed and tail thumping, tongue slightly lolling out of his mouth.

Athena and I giggled at the sight before I shook my head and sighed. "And to think he's one of the strongest people I've ever met."

Hey! Anon whined in my head but didn't move from his position knowing that he was showing a sign of trust for both of us because he was showing his belly, which most would see as a sign of submission.

"He's cute." Athena giggled as she pulled away from me slightly.

Yeah, see! I know I'm cute now come over and rub my belly.

I groaned softly to myself and rolled my eyes as he let out a yap with his tail going faster. "Don't be fooled, he is a male under all that cuddly fur."

I thought you were trying to make her comfortable with me, not to scare her away from me!

I laughed softly. I'm not just warning her Anon, you touch a hair on her body or make her feel uncomfortable I'll lock you in your room for a week with no one besides me for company.

I was expecting a joke back or something playful but I was surprised by his serious response. I would gladly go through that punishment if I ever make her feel uncomfortable. Yes I'm highly sexual because my kind basically lives off of touch but for one, she's too young and two, I don't think she'd go for me since she already has a crush on you.

I was confused. What's a crush? And on me?

Anon just laughed at me, which made me frown. I keep on forgetting how innocent you really are Alpha.

I grumbled to myself about not being innocent, cause I'm not! I know a lot of things and have been through a lot of things to not be able to call me innocent. Just because I get confused and don't know some of the things Anon says doesn't mean I'm innocent. And no, I'm not in denial.

"Are you two talking?" Athena suddenly asked with glowing eyes full of curiosity and amazement.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, Anon and I are connected on a level unseen by normal eyes, which makes it possible for us to communicate with each other without actually speaking out loud." I answered.

"That's amazing!" Athena exclaimed the brilliant youthfulness I had seen while playing with ruddy was back in her stunning grey eyes making me smile.

"It's alright sometimes." I laughed before pulling away from her. I nodded my head towards Anon who was rubbing his back against the hay. "Go and pet him, he wants his stomach rubbed."

Athena's eyes turned big as she looked from me to Anon. She looked both excited and scared but her excitement was the bigger feeling so she slowly made her way around Ruddy who nudged her softly with his nose towards Anon. I pulled his head away from her and started petting him while Athena ran a hand along his side as she walked towards the sprawled out wolf that was just as big as her.

"Oh wow..." Athena whispered as she made it beside Anon and knelt down while holding out a hand to finally touch the big wolf. Her hands ran through the soft fur of his underside and I could see and feel that both enjoyed it immensely. "You're beautiful." Athena complemented him, which in turn made Anon thump his tail faster to show his happiness.

No dear, you're the beauty here. Anon spoke though I was the only one that could hear it.

Athena soon enough basically placed her whole body over Anon's and felt his soft fur against her cheek. "You're so soft, and warm. I've never felt anything like it. You're like a living, breathing blanket."

Anon let out a husky laugh as he lifted his head and touched his cold nose to Athena's cheek making her giggle and wipe the wetness away. I was enjoying the sight when I heard the stables doors open and an unknown scent made itself known. I know Anon heard as well by the twitch of his ears but he allowed Athena to continue to pet him without letting her know that we were no longer alone.

"Athena!" An unhappy voice called out making the girl freeze and a look of terror form on her face.

Anon growled softly while Athena clung onto him in fear.

"Bloody hell Athena where are you you stupid girl." The voice I recognised as belonging to a woman growled out in annoyance. "When I get my hands on you girl, you best be sure that you won't be sitting down for month!"

I growled along with Anon as my anger at the threat towards Athena made my mana spike. I went to confront the woman but when I stepped forward a slim hand wrapped around my wrist and stopped me. I frowned down at Athena as she quickly shook her head in panic.

"Please stay here, I knew this was going to happen." She whispered in a pleading voice that both hurt my heart and fed my hate towards this place.

I stayed begrudgingly where I was as Anon joined me, I could feel that he didn't like this situation just as much as me, and Athena walked forward. Ruddy made a vain attempt to stop her by biting and holding the back of the loose cloth she was wearing, but Athena just turned around with a soft smile and placed a kiss to his nose. "I'll be alright, I promise." She whispered while meeting all our eyes one by one.

She walked out of the stall and out of my sight but I could still hear, smell and feel her. The anger inside me made my eyes glow, my fangs extend and the hunger for blood burn at the back of my throat.

"There you are you pathetic bitch." I flinched as the words stung me from my memories even though they weren't directed at me. "I've been looking for you. What have you been doing?"

When I heard skin hit skin with a sickening thump and Athena whimper I nearly ran out there and killed whoever dared hit here. But what froze me to my spot were my Mistress' words. I need to be careful where I show my kindness and care. Defending a slave I barely know will only cause problems especially since I'm no one of importance. But that doesn't mean I can't help the situation.

I stalked out of the stall trying to make myself seem more important than how I feel. Anon was at my side and a little behind giving me the affect of dominance that I needed. I walked into the main part of the stables to see an older woman of large girth, grimy hair and barely any teeth holding Athena by her hair as she slapped the girl again.

"You stupid worthless girl. Did you think you could get away without doing your chores for the night just because of the arrival of a pompous twat?" The older woman asked with yellow saliva spitting out of her mouth.

"I suggest you put the girl down and apologise for what you just said." I growled now angered by both her actions towards Athena and her words towards my Mistress.

The older woman's face paled considerably as she noticed my fangs, eyes and the growling wolf behind me that was ready to rip her to shreds at any second. She immediately dropped Athena who stayed on the ground with her head down in submission. I tried to not show my care for the girl and stayed glaring at the older woman.

"I-I'm s-sorry my lady." The woman stuttered pathetically.

"If you must know where the girl has been." I spat ruthlessly. "She was servicing me before you came in."

I stalked forward and I must have been a terrifying sight since the woman took a couple steps back and looked ready to disgrace herself by urinating herself. I bent down swiftly and pulled Athena to my chest making it look rough and carless to hide the fact that my hold was soft and comforting. I lifted Athena's head up and to the side while her back was to my chest.

"Let out a whimper darling." I whispered in her ear so softly that only she could hear me. She did as told and even to me it sounded like I was hurting her, god I hope I wasn't.