Morning came. A soft orange glow filtered into the room through cracks in the wooden walls. Ava opened her eyes slowly. Her entire body ached; she felt as if a truck had run over her a dozen times.
She tried to move, but she couldn't. The giant's massive arms held her tight, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. His face was buried in the nook of her neck, his warm breath steady against her skin.
"Are you awake... little human?" his raspy voice whispered in her ear. Ava flinched.
"Let me go. Now," she said through gritted teeth. She struggled to break free from his embrace, but it was useless.
The giant didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her closer. He lifted his head to look at her, his dark eyes filled with a haunting, obsessive affection. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I love you..." he murmured. "I love you so much."
His words made her skin crawl.
Ava wept silently, the tears streaming down her face. A wave of physical and emotional pain crashed over her.
She loathed herself, she loathed him, but she was trapped.
"I hate you! Just let me go!" she screamed.
He didn't argue. He simply nuzzled into her neck again, inhaling her scent with terrifying devotion while his hand stroked her back with haunting gentleness.
"You are mine... forever," he whispered.
Ava bit her lip and stopped fighting. She closed her eyes, trying to block out every sensation, every feeling.
When the giant left to hunt, Ava scrambled out of bed. Her legs were throbbing with pain, but the hope of escape made her forget the agony.
She ran straight to the tree's entrance. She hammered on the wooden walls with her small fists, over and over, but the wood was as hard as stone. It didn't even budge.
She searched for a crack, a lever, any way out, but there was nothing. The walls were perfectly smooth, as if the tree had grown around her on purpose.
Ava collapsed to the floor, exhausted. She began to sob uncontrollably.
Her hope shattered in an instant. She was a prisoner, locked away with this half-human monster.
Her cries echoed through the chamber until they faded into weak whimpers. She had no strength left.
Soon, heavy footsteps thundered from outside. Ava looked up in a panic. He was back. He carried a large deer over his shoulder, fresh blood staining his clothes.
He saw her sitting on the floor, looking broken and hopeless.
The giant dropped the deer carelessly and rushed to her side, his face etched with worry. He knelt and lifted her off the floor as if she weighed nothing.
"What happened? Why are you crying?" His voice was strangely tender, like a father comforting a child.
Ava tried to push him away, scratching and clawing at him.
"Get off me! I told you to let me go!" she shrieked through her tears.
He ignored her protests and held her tighter. He buried his face in her neck again before kissing the tip of her nose.
"Do not do this to me. It breaks my heart... I cannot let you go because I love you, little human,"
he murmured. "You belong to me."
He carried her back to the bed. He began to tear the raw deer meat apart with his bare hands, roasting a large piece over the fire for her.
"Eat... you need your strength."
Ava shook her head, looking at the meat with disgust. "I'm not eating that!"
He reached out to wipe a tear from her cheek.
"You will die if you don't eat," he insisted.
"I want you to be healthy, so you can give me strong sons."
"I will never have your children!" she snapped. "Never!"
A flash of genuine pain crossed his dark eyes. He picked up the meat again and held it to her lips.
"Eat... for me."
She clenched her teeth and looked away. "No!"
The giant didn't give up. He remained incredibly patient and attentive, holding the food there until, finally, her hunger won. She was forced to surrender and open her mouth.
She chewed slowly. The taste was strange, but not as bad as she expected. He continued to feed her, one bite at a time, like a mother bird feeding a hatchling. He treated her like a priceless relic.
When she finished, Ava went silent. She turned away from him, her coldness obvious. No matter how much he tried to please her, she gave him nothing back.
The giant didn't seem to mind. He stayed by her side, holding her close as if her coldness didn't affect him at all. He kept whispering his love, pressing his face into her neck with obsession.
A single thought began to race through Ava's mind, making her heart pound with dread.
Pregnancy.
Last night... he had taken her over and over. How could she not be pregnant?
If it really happened... a child with this creature... whatever he was. She couldn't accept it. Not in a million years.
A new fear replaced the old one. She wouldn't let it happen. She refused to carry a monster's child.
Days passed, and the anxiety gnawed at her soul.
His touch felt like a branding iron, burned into every inch of her skin. It was a constant reminder of that night. The word 'breeder' ruined any hope of peace.
She imagined a life spent carrying the child of this creature. She felt no joy—only revulsion.
"It is time you see our home," his deep voice rumbled beside her. He reached out his large hand to lead her. She stared at it with pure suspicion.
"Home?"
"Don't you want to know how my people live?"
"No." Her answer was sharp and short. She didn't even look at him.
"But you must."
He didn't wait for an answer. His hand gripped her wrist—firmly, but not as violent as before.
"From now on, you are part of us. You are my Queen."
"Let go! I'm not going anywhere!"
She tried to twist her wrist away, but his grip was unshakeable.
"You are going!"
He pulled her along, indifferent to her resistance. She dug her nails into his hand, but he didn't even flinch.
"My tribe will be honored to welcome my mate."
Ava narrowed her eyes, her heart filled with bitter resentment.
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