The Minx

Uncovering my face, I stood quickly. I recognized that voice. I was frozen in fear. It was the voice I hoped to never hear again. Slowly, a shadow appeared, walking towards me. His face was engrained in my memory. My back was already pressed against a tree, and I had no where to run even if I could get my feet to move. He came closer slowly. That sickening smirk ever apparent.

"I've missed you, my special girl," he said. I could feel him patronizing me.

"W-What do you want? W-Why can't you just leave me alone!" I yelled at him.

"Don't be like that. I let you free, didn't I? After all, you are my mate," he said. I shook my head quickly. He looked exactly the same as I remembered if not a bit younger looking than I remembered. Instead of the pathetic display I remembered, he was well dressed. He looked almost charming if I didn't remember all the abuse he put me through.

"No... Aspen is my mate. You just toyed with me, and abused me like a plaything. You ruined my life. Because of you, I was bullied for being a late shifter. I was put through one of the worst pains imaginable. I almost died. I can't have children because of you. You've already ruined my life to this point, what more could you possibly want from me," I asked as tears of fear ran down my face. He touched my cheek gently. I squeezed my eyes close as I released a shaky breath. I couldn't move.

"Why... you, of course. I came to take back my mate. And I have a solution to your fertility issues," he answered simply. There was a wind before I was pulled into a chest. I was about to scream when I felt the electricity flowing through the touch.

"Cami," Aspen said as he put me behind him. Aspen was here. He came back for me. He must have felt my fear. He turned threateningly to face my nightmare.

"How dare you touch my mate," Aspen growled at him.

"My apologies. How rude of me. Intruding on your land without even an introduction. I'm Kieran," he responded. He didn't even flinch as he smirked at us.

"Are you the one responsible for all the unusual things happening in my pack recently? Are you the Red Devil?" Aspen asked him. Kieran chuckled and brushed at the leaves under his foot.

"It's just a term of endearment, really. But I'm not a devil by any means, not a hunter, and not even human. I'm a fox. Feel free to call me Kieran," he joked.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you here?" Aspen asked.

"To get my mate's attention, of course," he said as his eyes shifted to me.

"You're dead," Aspen growled at him. Kieran only laughed and shook his head.

"If I were that easy to kill, I wouldn't have earned the name 'Red Devil'. I can see that now isn't a good time. I'll give you both some time to calm down. I'll come back later," he smirked. He snapped his fingers and disappeared in a flash of red light. I was anxious he would suddenly appear anywhere. Aspen picked me up and brought me back to the house. I wasn't at ease. I couldn't relax. I could still feel myself trembling with fear as Aspen sat me on the couch.

"Cami... he's gone, for now," Aspen tried to assure me. I was in such a state of shock and fear that I couldn't even force myself to move even though I was home and with Aspen.

"That man... he was the one from your past?" Aspen asked hesitantly. I finally snapped out of it as tears ran down my face. I nodded slowly before looking to Aspen.

"He came back for me," I whispered. Aspen pulled me into his lap and held me close to him. I was terrified.

"I won't let him take you," Aspen promised.

"It's not like we have a choice! If he wants something, he'll find a way to get it. His powers... they're not normal. If they were, killing him wouldn't be so difficult," I reminded Aspen. I bit my lip gently as I thought of my next words. I was terrified of Kieran, but...

"He said he could heal my fertility issues, too. I know it sounds odd, but I believed him. He ruined me himself, he might also have a solution," I thought out loud. Aspen's face grew red.

"You'd be willing to go to him to solve it?" He asked rhetorically. He wasn't actually asking me. I knew that he thought the idea was ludicrous, but I wanted to fix it so I could carry Aspen's children. As his mate, I felt like it was the least I could do. No matter how scared I was of Kieran, the idea of being able to give Aspen something was just too tempting. And on top of that, I wanted answers. Why did he take me all those years ago?

"I don't care. That fox, Kieran, is a lunatic. I don't trust him, and I don't want you searching him out just to fix your fertility issues. He could be lying for all we know. His goal is you. If you go to him, I fear he'll keep you again. I won't allow that," Aspen argued. I knew he was right, but I was finally being given a ray of hope.

"Aspen... I wouldn't be useless," I practically begged as I held on to his arm tightly.

"You're not useless!" Aspen yelled back at me. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly before holding my shoulders and laying me down on the bed.

"It's been a long day, Cami. You should get some sleep," he said after he calmed down. He closed himself in the bathroom, leaving me alone in the bedroom. Even though I couldn't see him, I could still feel him. Aspen was sad for me. He was scared that my current feelings would push me to do something stupid. He was frustrated that he couldn't do more to make me feel better. I knew I wasn't strong or fast enough to fix my fertility with Kieran then fight him off, but maybe I had a chance of outsmarting him. I just needed to take my time and perfect a plan.