Taming the Alpha of Alphas

The cold breeze from the air conditioner raided Godiva's warmth, as the bathroom door crammed open. Her hands laid over her exposed breast while she bent to hide her private part. "What the hell, Theresa," she yelled in fistful rage, seeing her elder sister at the entrance of the bathroom, the warm shower cascading down on her, muffling her words.

"Papa is dying, get dressed!" There was no amusement in Theresa's voice as she threw a dress at Godiva, who caught it in a reflex, Theresa's statements yet making sense to her. It was a prank. Their father couldn't be dying.

"Now, Godiva!" Theresa yelled, jolting her from her trance. Quickly, she turned off the faucet, putting on the dress hastily, her hands trembling with every action, without as much drying herself. Her thumping heart posed questions when she strutted down the stairs with her sister. Her breathing stopped, her legs stiff when she saw her father in his favourite recliner, surrounded by her sisters trying helplessly to save his life.

Godiva's heart sunk in misery, everything around her going bleak. Kneeling beside her father, she violently shook him awake, her hands continuously trembling. "Father please, don't leave us," she said in a melancholy voice, her eye blurred from the rain of tears.

His father's voice sounded different when he spoke. "I'm sorry, Godiva but they are coming for you. I'm sorry."

Godiva's heart was shattering and she was a shivering tangle. "Please papa, who is coming, I don't understand."

Her father took a deep breath. Life was fast leaving him. "I lost my job the same time your mother died." He began to cough and Theresa helped him with water, unable to control her own sorrow. She had already called 911 but due to the distance, it would take some time for the ambulance to get there since they were away from the town.

"I thought of finding each of you a mate before time to get enough money to raise you all without having to work again," his voice was getting hoarse and she could tell he didn't have much time left. "And," she asked eagerly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand as she listened intently.

"I presented your pictures with each meeting and all seven Alphas chose you among your sisters," he said in a low tone. Now Godiva's heart was as hot as lava.

"I couldn't tell each one after the first that you had been taken because I needed the money. I..I..am sor...." His last words were swallowed by the pangs of death as he began foaming on the mouth, his eyes wide open with no life in them.

A shriek tore from Godiva's mouth, "Arrrrrrrrgggghh, nooooooo," as she shook her father violently, pulling him to her chest. "Please come back, I have more questions. Who are they? What do I do?" She continued to wail. She was broomed with sadness, pain, fear and agony.

Having been sheltered by her father all these years, how was she supposed to pick her life back up. She was just a college freshman, pampered all her life. What was she to do with seven ruthless Alphas? This was a betrayal of the highest form because she never expected anything like it.

Her father had no respect for the mate bond. What would happen to her true mate when she found him, what does she do in a time like this? She was drained, damaged and too shocked. Her eyes felt heavy and painful from crying so much, her voice turned hoarse. There was no hope for her. She lost her dignity because those Alphas would never show her any form of respect. It was magical if you were drawn together by the bond you both felt but not when you have been sold to someone who felt no bond. Godiva had no life left in her. She had nothing to fight for. She was an ultimate sacrifice.

Her sisters were apprehended in their own wails, hugging each other sorrowfully. A soft but strong hand pulled her up to her feet, "It's too late, he is gone," Theresa shivered and spoke. It wasn't easy masking her pain to comfort her sisters. The seven of them, apart from going to school, have always been with their father. He was everything to them. Always attending any program they had in school, teaching them the basic things of womanhood from his experience. Now Theresa the oldest took up the role of comforting her sisters. Everyone had different reactions but Godiva's was the worst. While her sisters wailed the loss of a father, she wailed both his loss and the meaningless future awaiting her.

She was still clinging to her father's cold lifeless body minutes after, her tears an unstoppable fountain. "What happened? He was fine this morning," Godiva recalled preparing his morning coffee before going into the shower. Her father had just woken up, his steaming hot coffee waiting beside his recliner when he received a call. Theresa saw it too late when he began calling Godiva after sipping the coffee he had poisoned with the content of a small bottle beside the recliner, which she later found out was a deadly liquid, instantly calling 911 before getting Godiva as her father had requested.

The five sisters had only just joined upon being awakened by Theresa's noise. Before Theresa could answer, the sound of sirens polluted the air. The ambulance had arrived too late but who could blame the paramedics? Their father built a ten-bedroom mansion a little away from town.

The paramedics' team declared him dead, getting the local police involved. It took hours to ascertain that there was no foul play and the man poisoned himself. Luckily, no one touched the small deadly bottle and only their father's fingerprints were on there. Their house was finally cleared, their father's body deposited in the morgue.

Things were a bit calm after the police officers left and it was already past midday. They must have all forgotten their father's caution that 'they were on their way,' but not Theresa. Before Godiva could retire to her room in her misery, she pulled her back. "We have to do something about those Alphas. You are not thinking about going with them are you?"

Godiva was deflated. She saw no way out of a situation like this. They hadn't lived close to packs but she knew that Alphas were very powerful and packs were violent. This was the reason why she wished to be mated to a human and live her life in peace but now, she was as good as meat in the slaughterhouse. Her fate lay in the hands of the butchers. "I can't face seven Alphas. I will just allow them to do whatever they want," her eyes welled up again as she spoke.

"Don't be ridiculous, Godiva. Your life isn't over yet. Over my dead body will I allow them to take you away," Theresa said with gross determination, though her eyes were still red.

Godiva had no hope but it wouldn't hurt if she listened to what Theresa had to say. "What would you have me do?"

"You have school friends. You need to leave this house. Run and seek shelter somewhere but don't go down without a fight. Don't go down feeling you should have done something and did nothing. This is your life Godiva, don't throw it away," Theresa encouraged her. From her father's confession, Godiva was sacrificed for all of them. If things had gone as planned, they would have all been mated to Alphas who weren't their destined mates.

"Tell me, Theresa, what would you have done in my shoes?" She asked with a sling of hope. Theresa had always been protective of them and she was the second to their father after they lost their mother. Godiva knew that Theresa cared.

"Just as I'm telling you to do. I will run!" Theresa said truthfully.

"That can wait till tomorrow. I have a few things to do. At least I should know the Alphas involved." Godiva didn't want to run without knowing what was after her. She needed the identity of those Alphas.

"You are right. The documents should be in father's study. Let's check them out."

As soon as they got to the study, Godiva broke down in tears. She could feel her father's presence heavily because he spent a lot of time there. It wasn't long for Theresa to locate the documents. From the way they were kept in the drawer beside his desk, there was great importance attached to it from everything else. Godiva's last bit of hope began to dwindle when Theresa read the names; "Alpha Alonso, Alpha Storm, Alpha Bond, Alpha Brick, Alpha Caesar, Alpha Jax and Alpha Ice. They are just as fierce as their name sounds."

Godiva leaned on the bookshelf shrivelled. "I can't do this."

Theresa pulled her into a comforting hug. "We can find a way to fly you far away from..." The door to the library barged open, and the fourteen-year-old Anita, who was also the youngest stood at the entrance, covered in fear. "Strange cars are driving into the compound," she announced in deep breaths.

"It's them, Godiva. You can't wait till tomorrow. You have to leave now," Theresa said in a matter of urgency and profound care.

Godiva's mind was jumbled. Where does she go? Her schoolmates from high school lived in the city. She had no idea how to get there on time and she was still worried about her sisters, even in her predicament. What if something happened to them because of her? The flame of hope she had, soon died. "What about you? Won't they hunt my sisters if I escape?"

Theresa stroked her hair like when they were little, doing nothing to hold back the tears wetting her cheeks. "Leave that for us to think about, Godiva. These Alphas are ruthless. None of them would want to let go. It's going to be bloodshed for whichever of them has you."

Godiva nodded her head, sniffling as she hugged Theresa and Anita. "Please be safe," she whispered to them. She paused at the sound of the doorbell and had no idea of how she was going to make it out without being caught

"Use the back door," Theresa encouraged Godiva before mobilizing the girls as the doorbell continued to ring relentlessly.

"I'll get the door," Anita said to Theresa who nodded, trusting Anita's bravery. Being overly pampered, it was good Anita was courageous but it was a distinction to being the youngest. The older sisters shivered with fright when Theresa tried to put them together to explain the situation to them. It was well understood that they were grieved but they had to be strong for Godiva's sake. If they were not able to escape well and early enough, their capture could be used to lure Godiva to present herself to the Alphas.

At the back of the house, it was too late for Godiva to realize that the house had been surrounded by strange men dressed in black. Did they all come from the same pack? She assured herself it was impossible but if one Alpha could send so many men to come for her, then she expected the worse and wasn't sure if escape was the best option but since she was already at it, she couldn't bear to disappoint Theresa after all she put in for her. She ensured her phone was safe in her pocket since it was the only way to get in touch with her sisters, being certain that they weren't going to continue staying in the house. She caught the eyes of one of the men in black, just when she jumped the fence.

Godiva wasn't a sprinter but for her life, she put in her best, delving dangerous routes that were also the shortest to the main road. In her normal sense on a casual day, she would have never used those routes. Her smart move made it impossible for the men to use their car till they got to the asphalt road, forcing them to chase her on foot. As is said, in the city of the blind, the one-eyed man was king. In a situation where they didn't know where Godiva's labyrinth led, they were at a great disadvantage.

This was nothing like Godiva. She was her father's favourite, sitting beside him at the fireplace, reading her favourite stories. She also enjoyed playing games on her phone and making lemonade. This was the first time she had been subjected to such a wild goose chase.

She stumbled and fell a few times but staggered to her feet before they reached her. Anytime they got close, she threw something at them, being a tree branch or unripped fruit, making them stumble, increasing the distance between them. She hoped to reach the highway in time to get a cab. The fools were on their feet leaving their cars behind so how would they catch up to her.

The sound of the speed of cars ahead, gave her a fleeting hope, knowing she was close to the main road. People who knew her in the neighbourhood tried to stop her to ask why she was running, she only yelled, "stop them!"

Well, they feared the people after her. They were just too huge. She reached the highway, just as a black SUV crossed her, tire screeching and turning one eighty degrees. The door opened to the passenger side, "get in!" A deep raw husky voice bellowed. She halted at the sound, almost falling to gravity. She had never heard a voice so husky, mellow and cold, all moulded together. She looked at the driver, his eyes were on the road so she couldn't see his full face, only increasing her anxiety. What if he was one of those Alphas? Why would he just order her to get in? Did he know her? His demeanour sent fearful chills through her mien and she couldn't accept his offer, even if it was still available.

She looked to her side, huge men running towards her. To her back, tired looking men after her. She was already panting with no strength to outrun those men but the fearful crisps wouldn't allow her to step into the opened car. To her right was a taxi coming at top speed. A fledge of adrenaline swang through her, as she beckoned the taxi. Luckily, the driver had seen her and was slowing down to a stop. Before her little hand reached the door, she felt herself in a strong arm, her feet off the ground. The taxi driver and onlookers were helpless. The man carrying her had a countenance so deadly, even the people chasing her began to retreat. They couldn't contend with him without backup.

Godiva fought with the little strength she had in her. She hadn't eaten the whole day and had been dehydrated from her excessive tears, not having drunk water too. With her little hands balled into fists, she hit his back as hard as she could but the man showed no sign of pain. "Let me go," she yelled but her plea only seemed to fall on dead ears. The man was so unmoved, throwing her onto the passenger seat and buckling her up.

The car screeched at top speed as soon as he pressed the accelerator. Godiva shivered from so much fear, she couldn't stop the trembling of her hands. When she opened her mouth to speak, fear swallowed her voice. Her palms were wet from anxiety, her heartbeat skyrocketing. Who was he and where was he taking her? She had no idea but at least she knew it wouldn't be safe to call Theresa at this moment. What if he took the phone from her. He had never cast her a glance and he was as unreadable as a block of ice. No matter how she looked at it, she found no hope in the person she was with and his company sniffed out gross discomfort.

*******

Bravery was never the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it. Anita matched to the door and opened it, the stature of the two men in front of the door clouding over her. Her only intent was to waste their time for Godiva to escape successfully. "Who are you and what do you want?" She didn't hide the sorrow in her voice.

The men wore sunglasses, the one who responded hadn't taken it off, seeming rather calm. "Who we are isn't important but we seek the owner of this house."

"You came too late, he died this morning and his body was deposited at the morgue," she uttered in a sorrow laced voice and was about to close the door when one of the men blocked her way. The other one seemed to be calling someone.

"Where is Godiva?" He asked after ending the call.

"That's me," she trembled slightly at the lie.

The man stared at the picture in his hand and shook his head. "You are not the one in the picture."

Anita forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Check the next house then. Maybe you have the wrong address."

"Do you mind if we come in to check?" The first man asked. Knowing that Godiva had left, she moved from the doorway, allowing them access but following closely behind. Why did their father have to take his life? Her eyes welled up just as one of the men who were tired of searching faced her and said,

"Then we are taking you with us if.."

"No way," Theresa yelled, cutting in. She held out her father's colt revolver, appearing at the entrance of the kitchen. Anita took the opportunity, running to her side before the men could take out their guns, concealed in their waistband. Anita, with the help of her sisters, poured a gallon of oil on the floor of the living room, making the men stumble and fall when they took a step. At that juncture, the girls run into their father's pickup truck. They had loaded a few needed items when Anita was at it.

The men wanted to fight back when one's phone rang. "We've seen her. She's trying to escape. We have to leave now!" An urgent order was communicated. The two men staggered out of the house in a wild goose chase that nearly apprehended Godiva but unfortunately, she was in the hands of the Alpha of Alphas and they had to think twice before pursuing him.

Godiva's hands were clutching the hem of her dress tightly, her head lowered. She began to recall Theresa's words to never go down without a fight when an idea popped into her mind. They had driven for quite a distance till they got to a familiar environment. She could get a place to hide for a while.

"Stop the car," she yelled, trying on a new form of bravery but the man didn't flinch, still driving at top speed. Worry apprehended her. She was afraid of what and where this man was taking her. She didn't escape to be captured like a chicken. At this juncture, she hated the man on the steering wheel. He ruined everything and she could tell that he was either one of the Alphas or working for them. Perhaps even an assassin. Therefore she needed to get far away from him.

"I said stop the car, I want to pee." This time, she got a subtle response. "No!" Uneasiness was like a rope, tying her firmer than her seat belt. She had to think fast. They passed a boutique and she screamed. "I will pee in your car if you don't let me use their restroom," she was pointing at the boutique

The car slowed down at the car park, suddenly halting. The screeching sound startled onlookers. "Ten minutes," was all he said. Godiva sighed, her adrenaline for her escape in motion. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, her hands shivering from apprehension and stepped out.

She would go in there, disguise herself and escape but she was dumbfounded when the man unbuckled his seat belt and began following her. Her legs trembled and her dress felt too loose. She slipped her hand around the back only to realize the slit was torn.

Gross embarrassment. She wasn't even wearing underwear. With her face red with chagrin, she held the slit together as she wobbled. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, abruptly turning to face the man again.

She could feel her fears building up, her adrenaline level reducing. She stared into his raw eyes with loathing and seethed,

"Ten minutes, you don't have to come with me." The man vaguely disregarded her words and kept following her. There were onlookers, which gave her a safety assurance.

"I said leave me alone!" She yelled high enough to attract attention. She conserved a good distance, staring into his cold eyes with her loathful ones. His features were strong and masculine, his muscled body seduced the shirt he wore. At a glance, he looked like he was sculpted from a different planet. The attractiveness he carried was none like she has ever beholden except he operated like the assassins she had seen in movies. His response was swift. "No."

His voice carried a conviction that made her feel that he knew what he was doing and it sent frightful shivers through her. "What do you want with me? You don't even know me." Her voice shook with every word she uttered but she managed to get everyone's attention, including the security men around at the boutique.

They began closing up on them to Godiva's benefit. To her surprise, the man turned around and left. She breathed relieved for the first time, not waiting to see where he was headed. She thought through her escape plan when she picked a few casual clothes and undies, after changing what she wore before. A pair of Jean trousers and a loose top with trainers was a fine match for someone trying to escape. It was comfortable too. She didn't forget to pick a face cap to give her a good disguise.

Only after reaching the counter, did her foolishness begin to play on her mind. She didn't have money or a credit card on her. All she had was her phone. It was her turn at the counter, embarrassment reddening her features as she thought of either trading her phone or returning the items. But her old clothes were torn and she couldn't afford to put them back on. She decided on the former. The cashier took stock of all her purchased items but didn't ask for payment.

Godiva, no doubt, was about to explain she was trading her phone when she looked up and the creepy man was standing by the door. Her heart sank, her throat felt dry.

The cashier still hadn't asked for money but rather handed a black card to her. She stared at her confused. "That sexy philanthropist paid for everything. I wish he was mine," she said day dreamily while admiring the creepy man. Godiva took the card, her hands trembling slightly, as she let out a sigh when she realized he had gone ahead.

She stepped out of the boutique searching for a way of avoiding him when a hand pressed on her mouth with a gun pointed to her head. It was a feminine scent and at that moment, she thought the creepy man was better.

"Do as I say if you want to live," a stern female voice muttered in her ears, sending her nervous shivers. The hand on her mouth felt masculine, which meant whoever this female was, must be tough. Catching sight of some of the men in black chasing her earlier, her heart sunk. It was over. She was going to pay her father's debt.

Somehow, she was still clinging to the paper shopping bag and the black card given to her by the cashier. Gently, she was shoved by the woman into the back of a jeep wrangler. At the moment, all she thought about was the creeping man. Comparing him to this team, it was rather safer with him but why did he leave? He didn't even take his card and why would he pay for the items she purchased? She wished she had mastered the courage to ask for his name.

She was joined by the woman who still held a gun to her head. She looked amazing and ferocious. The car sped out of the parking lot of the boutique but didn't cover much distance when a loud bump was heard from the back, jerking the car forward. Impulsively, Godiva turned around to see the SUV she rode with the creepy man. Hope found her in the most remarkable way when the car in which she sat halted.

The doors unlocked, the woman alighted with a brutal aura with the driver and one other man in front with a gun. By the time Godiva realized, they laid lifelessly on the floor without as much as a scratch. The creepy man was nowhere in sight, making her wonder what just happened. Since the door to his car was left ajar, she thought of dropping his black card before finding a way to escape. At least he saved her life and the tiniest she could do would be to not steal his card. As soon as she dropped the card in the driver seat, the creepy man appeared beside the door, holding her shopping bags in one hand.

She didn't understand what she was feeling and didn't know what to do. Recalling her first experience with him, she couldn't bear to run when he told her to sit after dropping her items in the back. It wasn't hard to realize that when you found yourself in a place of death, even your enemy would become your best friend. She could feel the dangers around this man but she also felt that she couldn't run away from him. She moved to the passenger seat without throwing any tantrums, just waiting for her death. He didn't kill her now but might do so later.

Immediately after she buckled her seat belt, the car reversed, turning around and veering off the main road into some unauthorized road. "What happened to them?" Godiva asked in a shaky voice. Fearful bites marked her but somehow, she felt she would soon be like the lifeless bodies they left on the floor.

There was silence. She didn't see the man in action or anything but couldn't help the strong conviction that he was responsible for those lives on the floor. Did he have some magic powers? She wasn't going to get any answers from him. Now the raging question was, where was he taking her?

Since the routes were unknown, it seemed like a boring journey towards the mountains. Despite how Godiva's eyes felt heavy, she never allowed sleep to have dominion. She needed to know her surroundings to make her escape easier. Suddenly, she began to worry about her sisters. Were they still in the house? The temptation to call Theresa was intense but somehow, she didn't allow it to overcome her curiosity to know the stranger that sat beside her.

"Do you have a name?" she pushed her luck again, her voice subtly minced with fear. She was amazed when she had a response, "Rock." She wondered the kind of parents who named their child so perfectly. If there was a way to describe him, that was it but strangely, he didn't ask of her name which made it all quirky.

Something bellowed inside her, making her recall the names of the seven Alphas and he wasn't one of them, which was a great relief. Perhaps she was reading him all wrong. What if he just wanted to help her? Yet something still didn't add up. Why did he forcefully help her even when she was rude to him? Help didn't have to be forced right?

Two hours down the line, Rock stopped in front of a huge gate, instantly gliding open to welcome him. Godiva's eyes narrowed. The environment seemed like a chain of luxury estate houses. The men at the gate carried the same cold appearance as Rock but their lips curled, as they bowed slightly to Rock. Driving through the gate, the mens' eyes narrowed on Godiva but they never uttered a word, just exchanging glances.

Rock drove for another ten minutes, passing one house to the other till he got to a house that stood out from the rest and stopped in front of it.

A man came out of the front door, slightly identical to Rock except he had dark brown hair in contrast to Rock's charcoal black one but they had the same walnut brown eye colour. Rock stepped out, carrying her shopping bags. "Home sweet home," he lifted the items slightly and chorused in a flat tone.

Climbing the stairs at the frontage of the door, he casually patted the man coming out of the house on the back before entering. The man gave him no attention, his excited gaze not leaving Godiva when she stepped down from the car with a bed of confusion.

"Wow, you look amazing, welcome home, I'm Beta Steel, Alpha Rock's junior brother," he said all at once. Godiva in a daze, gawked like he was an alien. She looked around, everywhere serene till her eyes landed on a swing at the frontage. A smile climbed her cheeks for the first time. She liked swings.

"I'm Godiva," she responded.

"I already know that, come, let go inside," Steel pulled her into the large room. Everything inside had an exotic wooden finish, except the windows, which were of a French design. Godiva felt like a fish out of water. Something was extremely wrong somewhere and she had to do something about it.

"Awwww, I knew it. You are just gorgeous," a teenage girl, who looked like the female version of Rock descended the stairs, wrapping Godiva in her arms. She was too stupefied to react. Were they mistaking her for somebody else? She had to make the correction soon enough before things went out of hand.

"I..." She wanted to say that she wasn't who they thought she was but was silenced by the girl's voice.

"You must be tired. I'm Xena, kid sister to these hunks. I'll show you to your room to freshen up, then get you something to eat," Xena didn't allow her to speak. Godiva swallowed tightly, still lost to her environment. She needed to speak with Rock but Xena was all over her. Something told her that perhaps, Rock mistook her for somebody else, for which reason he picked her up. She would have convinced herself that he was one of those Alphas but his name wasn't on the list. What should she do? She was already breaking out in cold sweats.

"How was your trip? How is your father? Xena asked, ushering her into a room twice the size she slept in her late father's house. The bed was a queen size, with a comforting appeal.

Now Godiva was dazed. "You know my father?" She was almost certain that she was the only lost one among them.

"Of course, he...." Xena's voice was instantly shut but a domineering one.

"Out." Godiva turned to see Rock at the doorway. Her heart rate instantly increased. He gave her a frightful scare. She would have this conversation with Xena again but she felt the one she needed to speak to for explanation was right there. Xena made no resistance. "I'll get your food," she smiled and closed the door behind her.

Suddenly, everything was tense. She saw Rock stiff, his head turned to the back, his eyes closed, seeming he was trying to muffle some words as he approached her. He seemed so domineering, she felt intimidated.

She took steps back, as he was getting closer. Her back was tight against the door of the closet, leaving no room for any manoeuvring. His tall form towered her, trapping her between his arms.

Godiva never felt like this before. His presence gave her a fear she couldn't explain but it was different from the other people who wanted to capture her. When his eyes met hers, they were unreadable. His face closed up on hers, making her shiver when it was a few inches apart. His body didn't touch hers, his face moving towards her exposed neck. He stayed that way for a while, sniffing her scent.

When she thought it was going to get worse, he pulled away slowly, turning around and began to walk towards the door.

Godiva's mind was in a jumble. What just happened? "Wait!" She called out before he reached the door. Surprisingly, he halted, still facing the door.

"I don't know what all this is but thanks for saving me from those men." She swallowed tightly, her mind in search of the right words to say. Everything that happened today was too much for her but if Rock wasn't among the seven Alphas, then they could put their differences aside and work together. "I have a proposition for you," she said thoughtfully.

"What?" He asked. It was hard to determine his emotions as he appeared like a blank page.

"I want you to be my bodyguard," she said in one word, only breathing after completing her sentence.

The corner of Rock's lips curled but it was so fast that she missed it. His response took her breath away. "Payment?" He asked. Rock found her funny and naive.

"Ehmm, ehm," she hadn't thought of that and stammered. "And?" His voice contained urgency.

"My father's house. It wasn't too far from where you abducted me."

"Abduct?" Rock asked, his eyes dark. She couldn't understand what caused the sudden change. She didn't come here by her own will so it was definitely an abduction. With the little courage she had left, she continued, "he no longer lives so use it for payment. We can sign a contract it." Godiva knew the house belonged to all of them but Theresa would understand if she explained it was for her protection. She waited for his response, which was rather disappointing. "No."

Godiva wanted to weep. What could he want from her then? He walked back towards her. Godiva trembled trying to get away from him, she fell over the bed, rolling to her side and back on her feet. He did not attempt to get closer but his voice emitted clarity.

"My mark, your protection."