Freya quietly sighed to herself at the situation she was in, wishing she was back home. Her life, while not the easiest, sure beat whatever this situation was. Because all she had to worry about was her bakery.
But now, she had to wonder if she'd make it to the next day.
She wiggled her fingers, feeling that they were about to go numb. As she did, Freya noticed the vines moving and a thought crossed her mind. It wouldn't hurt to try to at least loosen the vines.
However as Freya attempted to find and loosen the knots that tied the vines together, she quickly realized it was harder than it seemed. Media sure enjoyed making it seem like this was an easy thing to do.
Still with nothing better to do with herself, Freya pushed herself to continue working on the knots. And just when she felt that she was finally getting somewhere, a voice suddenly spoke out.
"Well, well, well. Looks like our little female is awake." A harsh voice spoke, making everyone go quiet. "And just what are you doing there?"
Freya stilled her body, turning her attention to the fire to see a massive man with brown hair walking over to her. Scars covered almost every inch of his body and he had the nastiest sneer on his face.
She couldn't help, but gulp down in terror. Perhaps she was better off dealing with whatever lay in the forest instead of hanging around these wolves.
"I asked a question!" The wolf beastman growled, his hand suddenly turning into a wolf paw. "Shall I beat it out of you, huh?!"
Freya let out of a squeak of panic before crying out, "I-I was just trying to stretch! My hands are numb."
Her words weren't a complete lie, but they weren't the full truth. Because there was no way in hell she was going to tell them she was contemplating escaping. That would get her killed.
And as much as she hated this situation and being in this strange world, Freya wasn't exactly ready to face death either. There still could be a chance she could return home and get back to her normal life once again.
She couldn't give up hope just yet.
"Hehe!" The wolf beastman let out a rough chuckle, stopping right in front of her. "Is that so?"
"Ye-" Freya started when the wolf beastman suddenly grabbed her hair.
He pulled her closer, causing her to yelp at the pain before he muttered, "Don't lie to me you scheming bit-"
Before he could finish his sentence, the beastman's head just disappeared. Blood splattered out of his neck like a headless chicken, spraying all over Freya.
His grip on her hair loosened and a moment later the headless body collapsed next to her. Freya gazed at the body before doing what any sane person would do - scream blue murder.
"ARRGHHH!" Freya screamed in horror, trying to push herself away from the body.
"Calm down would you." A gruff voice muttered as someone stepped into view from behind some trees.
He was a tall, lanky man looking to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. The man wore an all black suit with a long, black overcoat and had his left hand in front of him with some kind of black ball hovering above his hand.
Meanwhile, his right gloved hand held a black glove in it and he had a blank look on his face as his snake-like eyes scanned the clearing. Freya stared at him, almost forgetting how to speak.
Her mouth just opened and closed like a goldfish, unsure what to make of this development. Was he a good guy or just another problem for her?
The wolf beastmen finally gained their senses back after such a shocking attack and began growling at him. Some shifted into their beast forms while others only did half shifts. A few even brought their hands together.
But the newcomer clicked his tongue, making them pause. "Now, now gentlemen. Let's not make this one a difficult one alright. We all know how this will end, so just give me what I want and we'll go our separate ways."
His words seemed to kill the fighting fire inside some of them, a few glancing at each other, wondering whether to follow his words or not.
"Likely story!" One of the wolf beastmen suddenly yelled, breaking the tense silence. "We all know you don't spare anyone General! You heartless damn monster!"
He's a general? Freya mused to herself at the words. That should be good right…
A military person wouldn't hurt an innocent civilian. Then again, the rest of the beastman's words didn't give her too much hope that he was a good guy. Still, there was no way she wanted to be lumped in with those wolves.
"Seems negotiations have failed." The man sighed, lifting his left hand up.
"Wait!" Freya cried out. "I'm not with them! I'll surrender! Just don't kill me please."
She wasn't sure what she was saying at this point, but she was desperate. Freya was ready to do anything to live and wanted nothing to do with that wolf beastmen.
They could put their lives on the line if they wanted to, but she wanted no part in their nonsense and had to make that clear. Otherwise that guy could kill her along with the wolves.
The man turned to her, gazing at her for a second before asking, "And why should I spare you?"
"Because I'm surrendering!" Freya exclaimed. "I'll do anything!"
"Anything?" The man raised an eyebrow. He was quiet for a moment before he smirked and stated, "Marry me then."
Freya was taken aback by his words. Marry him? Was that all it took for her to live? It was definitely a strange request, but wasn't something too hard for her to do. She just needed to sign a piece of paper at the end of the day.
Of course, Freya did know there could be a risk in getting involved with this guy, but her life was worth the risk. When she said she'd do anything to live, she meant it.
"Fine then." Freya finally answered. "I'll marry you."