Page 2 of Kept By Her Obsessed Minotaurs

I merge with the flow of the crowd, my limp disguised amongst the throng of weary bodies. The lowtown is a cacophony of sound—vendors hawking their wares, the distant clink of a blacksmith's hammer. It's disorienting, yet there's a vibrancy here that's absent in the sterile halls of Wlloza's estate.

A groupof dark elf soldiers marches by, their armor gleaming in the lantern light. I press myself against a grimy wall, holding my breath as they pass. Their presence here is a reminder that even in the lowtown, I'm not safe. Not yet.

As the soldiers round a corner and disappear from sight, I release the breath I've been holding. My gaze falls on a tavern across the street, its sign swinging gently in the evening breeze. The Hound's Tooth, it reads, the image of a snarling beast painted beneath the words.

A plan begins to form, the gears of my mind turning as I consider my next move. The tavern could be a goldmine of information—or a trap. Either way, I need to know more about the world I've stumbled into, and the patrons of The Hound's Tooth might just hold the answers I seek.

I pull the hood of the cloak further over my face and step off the curb, my eyes fixed on the tavern's entrance. A pair of burly minotaurs guard the door, their eyes scanning the crowd with a practiced ease. I approach with caution, my steps measured and deliberate.

"Evening, gents," I say, forcing a casual tone. "Heard this is the place to be if you're looking for a good time."

One of the minotaurs grunts in response, his gaze lingering on the cloak's hood. "Depends on what you're looking for," he rumbles, his voice deep and resonant.

I offer a small, secretive smile. "Information, mostly. And maybe a drink, if the price is right."

The other minotaur chuckles, his massive shoulders shaking. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Go on in, but mind yourself. The Hound's Tooth isn't known for its gentle clientele."

With a nod of thanks, I slip past them and into the tavern, the heavy door closing behind me with a resounding thud.

2

GARRON

The din of The Hound's Tooth tavern fades into a distant rumble as I fixate on the parchment. The human female's face, a mix of innocence and iron will, stares back at me, igniting a flicker of recognition that I'm quick to smother. I've been down this path before, and it led nowhere good.

"Another human?" I mutter. The words taste bitter on my tongue. I toss the parchment aside, the image of the woman now seared into my memory, as if it could somehow prepare me for what's to come.

Calo, ever the optimist, leans back with a carefree grin that seems out of place in our current predicament. "Easy gold, Garron. One girl. How hard can it be?" he replies confidently. His naivety grates on me, but I've come to expect it from the youngest among us.

Lazir, on the other hand, catches my eye with a knowing glance. "Harder than you think if you underestimate her," he warns, his voice a low growl.

I clench my tankard, the metal cool against my palm. "Last time we dealt with a human, we lost everything. Our clan, ourhonor," I say. My voice is low, steady, but inside, the beast of my past roars to life, threatening to break free.

Calo's enthusiasm doesn't wane. "And this job could buy it back," he insists, leaning forward with a glint in his eye that speaks of more than just gold. "We need this, Garron."

The room seems to hold its breath, waiting for my decision. The weight of our banishment hangs heavy on my shoulders, a constant reminder of the life we've lost. I'm silent for a long moment, weighing our options, considering the risks. Finally, with a resolve that's become my armor, I nod.

"We take it. But don't let your guard down. Humans are... tricky," I say. My words carry the weight of experience, a lesson learned the hard way.

Calo's grin widens,while Lazir merely nods, his gaze never leaving mine. I can see the questions in his eyes, the silent acknowledgment of the danger we're walking into. But there's also a spark of something else—determination, perhaps, or the glimmer of hope that this time, things will be different.

I drain my tankard, the ale doing little to quell the storm brewing within me. We're playing a dangerous game, one that could either restore our honor or lead us further down the path of ruin. But as I rise from the table, my decision firm, I know there's no turning back.

We're minotaurs, warriors born and bred. We've faced darkness and despair, and yet, here we stand, ready to face whatever this human has in store for us. I square my shoulders, my gaze sweeping over my companions.

"We have a job to do," I declare, my voice cutting through the din of the tavern. "Let's not forget who we are and what we're capable of."

With that, we leave The Hound's Tooth behind, stepping out into the cool night air. The city is alive with the sounds of revelry and danger, a perfect reflection of our own tumultuous journey.

Calo, Lazir, and I move through the throngs of people, our eyes scanning for the woman whose face is etched in my memory. Lazir's voice, low and urgent, cuts through my focus. "There," he murmurs, a nod of his head indicating a figure draped in a cloak, navigating the crowd with calculated ease.

My gaze locks onto the woman, and I see what Lazir has seen—the subtle tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes dart with more than just the typical wariness of a city at night. She knows she's being hunted. The realization sends a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

A group of dark elf soldiers suddenly passes by us. Their armor glints in the flickering torchlight as they weave through the crowd, seemingly following the same trail we are. Lazir's curse is a soft hiss beside me. "Rivals," Calo growls, his fists clenching.

My mind races,the strategies of a thousand battles coalescing into a single plan. "Lazir, Calo—deal with the dark elves. I'll grab the girl," I order, my voice but a whisper. They nod, their forms disappearing into the sea of bodies.

I shadow the woman, my steps silent, a predator stalking its prey. She slips into an alley, and I'm on her in an instant. My hand clamps over her mouth as I slam her against the wall, the impact sharp and sudden. The edge of my blade soon kisses the soft skin of her throat.

---