BEAST

When I wake, my body is lying on my side and facing the porch. Glancing towards the windows, I can see that it’s late evening, the night sky filled with stars, and at my back, his body heat radiating, is my stranger sitting beside me on the bed. His strong fingers are stroking my hair.

"My claim was made years ago," his voice growls as he speaks into a phone. "I don’t give a fuck. It's done. You shouldn’t have tried to come between us."

Unable to hear the other person's response, he continues, "You try, and I will not be able to control what happens."

Ending the call, he moves his enormous body down the bed to wrap around mine, his lips moving to my scar. "I know you can hear me Doe Eyes," he mumbles into my flesh, "10 years I have waited, and I'll be fucked if that cunt tries anything," then quieter, his voice almost fragile, "not now, not now that the voices are finally quiet."

"I have been so patient. It’s been so hard waiting for you, my light."