A/N: Hello everyone and welcome to my new story :)!
Writing a medieval story is something totally new to me so I hope you won't be too harsh :).

In addition to my other stories this one's inspiration comes from a book a very good friend of mine read and when she told me about it I could only imagine Erik and Christine in it. So, I thought "why not?" ;) ! The problem is though that this book is now nowhere to be found so please if this story reminds anything to any of you let me know so I can give credit to the original author.
Originally this story was based on true historic events but after some thought I decided to stick to fictional characters in case I got something wrong lol.

Before moving on I want to mention that I do not have a Beta and as many of you know; English is not my native language so pardon my mistakes.

And of course I want to thank all of you for your encouraging PM's and for sticking with me so far :).

Extremely Brief Summary: E/C as always. Medieval. War between two Kingdoms. Erik Dacre and Christine de Volk's family are enemies. One incident leads Erik to believe that the Wolves are responsible for the attack to his land so he vows to make them pay... (I wonder how ;) )...

So, without further ado, I give you the prologue and the first chapter of "The Heart of a Wolf"...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, all rights belong to their respective owners etc...

ENJOY :)!

The Heart of a Wolf

Prologue

Erik of Dacre narrowed his eyes and looked at the burnt wrecks of his castle through clouds of smoke. Nothing was saved from the fire that destroyed his newly acquired land. His normally white mask was dusted from the ashes as the wind blew them violently on his face.

He was gone for less than a week, as much as it took to meet his future bride and her family and talk to Empress Sophia and her husband Comte Geoffrey, about the wedding. A week earlier, when he first came at Dacre Keep, as the new lord of the manor, it stood tall and proud. Now... now it had turned into a mass of smoking debris.

Its reconstruction would require a lot of things: more men, more gold and certainly a lot of time. However half of his men were missing, the majority of his gold was in Empress Sophia's vault and moreover time was not enough.

The final marriage agreement was in the bag hanging by his horse's saddle and it waited for his signature. After he signed it, only the marriage's date would remain to be set. Then the marriage would take place and his new life would start. He really needed a lady for his Manor, but where would he bring now his new bride, Carlotta de Beaumont?

He should hire someone to supervise the manor's reconstruction as soon as possible, since he would be gone for several weeks... or months... as long as it would take him to find those people responsible for this dastard attack.

His chest protested each time he inhaled the thick smoke. He had already counted sixteen bodies; they were probably peasants judging from the lack of chainmail. But why did none of his men were among the dead bodies? Everything showed that they were either removed from the castle with force, or that they ran away as soon as they saw the enemies attack. Of course he refused to believe the second option.

When Empress Sophia granted him the title and the land, she also gave him thirty men. All of them had willingly vowed faith and allegiance to him. He was assured that all of them were faithful, honourable and brave.

But where were they now?

Under the strong light of the sun an object shined among the wrecks. Erik kicked the stones and burnt material that covered it and surprisingly he discovered something that looked like a sword. With caution he wrapped his cloak around his left hand and pulled at the sword's dagger.

Immediately a wry smile appeared on his lips. On the dagger, close to the handle, was graven a wolf.

Only one man would crave that emblem on his sword... Comte Gustave de Volk. Even though he had never crossed ways with the notorious Comte, he had talked with men who had fought him and all of them talked about the craved beast.

Now that he knew who was responsible for his castle's destruction he had to find his missing men.

Erik ran to his horse and as soon as they started galloping towards the forest he turned his head to the sky and shouted on the top of his lungs. "You have my word, Wolf! I will return your sword and I'll requite double."

Chapter 1

Every spring, since Christine de Volk could remember herself, Comte de Volk hosted jousting games and a festival. She always enjoyed it, however that year she was in an extremely bad mood.

Surrounded by more people she could count, Christine found it difficult to get rid of the anxiety that made her stomach ache. Not even the sound of clashing swords or the excited screams and laughs of the people could make her mood shift.

Christine sighed and walked away from the crowd.

"You cannot be leaving that early!"

An arm wrapped around her shoulders, stopping her. From the soft caress on her shoulder understood immediately who the person was without needing to turn around.

Christine lowered her shoulder to get free from his grasp.

"But indeed I'm going. The day seemed endless. My head is aching and all that noise doesn't help. Maybe a few silent moments in my rooms will help."

Raoul, the younger of her two brothers, caught her wrist and pulled her towards him, stopping her for a second time. "I'm really glad to discover that you haven't lost the ability of lying shamelessly." He smirked.

Christine winked at him "I had the best teachers, don't you agree?"

His eyes went wide momentarily, before they shined from the smile that appeared on his lips "Aye, I suppose you are right." He released her hand and ran a hand through his sweaty hair. "But maybe it is the time you stopped mimicking the example of your brothers. You are a girl after all."

"A girl?" Christine felt angry by this innocent statement. It had been years since she stopped being a girl and everyone apart from her family would find it difficult to overlook the feminine curves of her hips and the fullness of her perfect bust.

Raoul could guess what she was thinking and let his eyes examine her slowly from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. "You're right. You're not a girl anymore." He sounded surprised "When did that happen?"

"A couple of weeks ago, I think." She rolled her eyes teasingly. She always enjoyed teasing and provoking Raoul.

He on the other hand ignored her teasing tone and sighed. "And why are you still unwed?"

Christine's body almost doubled from laughter. Out of breath she dried her eyes and with a wave she showed the men ready to start fighting. "And which of them would Comte de Volk find suitable for his little sister?"

"What do you mean?" Raoul frowned.

"It's simple, brother. Lately I encouraged many gentlemen to approach Gustave and ask for my hand, alas, in vain."

"Yes, but weren't his objections valid?"

"For him? Definitely. But not for me." Christine inhaled deeply and started saying "They would either be very old or very young. They weren't rich or powerful enough. They were either very arrogant or extremely humble. I remember one wasn't intelligent enough to become relative of the de Volk family."

Raoul looked her in the eyes "Why did you never complain until now?"

"Because I never felt that something was missing from my life."

"What do you want me to do?"

Christine shrugged "Maybe you could talk to the Comte and convince him that even my heart deserves love."

"It may not help, but I promise you I will try."

Raoul would surely keep his promise and talk to Gustave, she thought as she walked away. The short route to the castle was annoyingly quite. When she left the castle earlier all the maids were busy taking care of the numerous guests. It was a pleasant change, being able to walk around without someone watching her every step.

Of course if Gustave or his wife, Antoinette, discovered that she was walking around, not only without a guard but also without a maid they would scold her for hours on end.

Both of them faced her like some kind of prize that should be protected at all costs. The only valuable possession she had apart from the land she and her brothers inherited was her purity. And at that moment she would gladly give that treasure away to whomever found the courage to claim it.

She blushed in shame. Her brothers would be horrified if they imagined the naughty thoughts that dominated her mind. Was it normal to have these incomprehensible urges... that strange desire that made her stay awake at night and walk around mirthlessly during day time?

Is this why most girls are married young? In order to have that unappeased, torturous, physical stimulation while being already at the marriage's bed?

Now she could swear that she really heard bells ringing in her head. All these thoughts, questions and the longing for something she had never tasted would drive her to insanity.

...

She finally reached the castle but before retiring to her rooms, she decided to take a walk to the family room, maybe seeing her young nephews and nieces would make her calm down.

"Who do you think is worthy of marrying Christine?"

Christine froze right before entering the grand room, recognising Antoinette's voice. She hid in the shadows so that she could eavesdrop on her sisters-in-law, without them finding out.

"Lord Osmont's son looks promising." Meg, Raoul's wife responded.

Christine bit her lip to stop the exclamation of repulsion that was ready to escape her mouth. She wouldn't accept that pompous idiot as her husband! Not even if he were the last man on earth.

"Osmont's son?" Antoinette laughed "He doesn't have enough gold, power or intelligence to protect his own beautiful face, let alone Christine's too."

"I think that Christine's marriage has been delayed for a very long time. She's already twenty years old and she won't get any younger as time passes. She will be considered too old to have notable offers in a little while. She must get married as soon as possible."

"What a polite way to put it, dear?" Christine thought and was ready to go in the room and attack Victoria. With a tongue like that it was a wonder her cousin Adam had married her.

"Gustave is well aware of his sister's age." Antoinette replied with the tone that most of times made the people's blood freeze. "He does his best to find the most suitable man."

"Yes, well, I am afraid he has to try harder before someone detects the treasonous sparkle in her eyes." Victoria's statement made Christine blush furiously.

"Oh, so you saw it too, huh? Then maybe the three of us should offer the Comte our help." Meg's sweet tone made Christine relax "After all, we do know better what the best way to make a woman content is."

Content? Christine shook her head. "That's not the point!" She thought and left silently. None of them had compromised with something that simply 'left them content', so why did they think that it would be enough for her?

What she wanted was happiness. Christine knew very well what these women shared with their husbands. She had heard the husky laughter, the breathless sighs of bliss and the long moans of ecstasy.

That's what she craved. The love, the passion that sweep everything on their way but at the same time they offer true happiness and nothing less.

"My god, I'd better die before condemning myself to a life with a boring and barely 'sufficient' husband..."

Christine shrugged and tried to stop thinking those things as she moved to the staircase. However, after the discussion she had heard she was even more anxious than before. Maybe she could find a little relief if she had a little fun with the guests at the grand hall. However, the sight that welcomed her made her cringe, almost everyone in the hall was drunk and those who weren't; were either too old or too young. None of these two categories deserved her attention.

Finally, she decided to walk out of the castle again. If she couldn't trust her own people to find her a suitable groom, maybe the time to count on herself had come. With so many men outside, competing at the jousting games she would certainly find at least one person to make her heart flatter and her knees bend.

After keeping the guards away from her with a short wave, she headed to the festival. Thankfully none of her brother's generals were there; otherwise she wouldn't have got rid of them that easily.

The air danced with her chocolate curls and made her shiver. She pulled the hood of her woollen cloak over her head and proceeded with courage. Christine looked back over her shoulder to make sure none of her family's members was looking, and although she knew she had to listen to a tirade as soon as her family found out; at that moment she didn't care... At that moment she was thirsty for some freedom.

At her twenty years she was never allowed to go outside the castle's walls without the company of at least one of her brothers. But after her brothers got married they barely had time for her and as a result she had spent numerous nights all alone sitting in front of her room's window, listening to the rest having fun and feeling more and more alone with every thump of her heart.

She was tired of being obedient; she was disgusted of being the blameless Volk sister. If she were past the ideal age of getting married then certainly she was old enough to take care of herself and seek some fun.

But just in case, before getting out of the castle's walls, she checked the small sheath that hung from her belt to make sure that she had her dagger with her.

She walked faster to meet a group of merchants with their families that headed to the festival, after all, being amongst others offered everyone a certain security.

The night was beautiful, the moon and the stars decorated the cloud-less night sky. It was the ideal night for a festival to take place. Once there, she walked alone around the people, until...

"Are ye here alone?" A man had grabbed her arm and stopped her abruptly. "No lass should be alone here a night like this. Come. Me and my friends and will keep ye company."

Although a man's touch was something she had been dreaming of lately that was definitely not what she had in mind. The man reeked, it must have been a loooong time from the last time he or his clothes were cleaned, and his friends weren't in a better condition.

"Nay, thank you." Christine tried to free her arm from his grasp but it was futile. Suppressing the urge to bare her dagger, because something like that would cause a scene and having everyone's attention focused on her wasn't something she wanted at that moment, she straightened her back and said "My husband is waiting for me."

Surprisingly, her bluff worked. The guy freed her arm and backed down "Pardon me, milady. We meant no harm."

Okay, nothing serious had happened but she preferred to avoid giving him and his friends courage. Consequently, she nodded swiftly at him and continued her way. Suddenly her nose caught a waft of deliciously smelling air, her stomach growled so she decided to let her nose guide her in the crowd. As soon as she reached the source of the delicious smell she froze, she immediately recognised the castle's cooks... those would certainly recognise her.

She looked around until her gaze fell on a little boy who looked very hungry and Christine doubted that he had the money he needed to buy some of the delicious meat. So, she took some coins from her pouch and approached him.

"Lad, would you please do me a favour? I'll pay you well."

The boy's eyes sparkled when he saw the golden coins. They were enough to buy food for at least ten people. "Aye, milady."

After she gave him the coins she told him "The only thing I want is a llittle bit of the spit roasted pig. You can keep the rest of the money and do whatever you want." She smiled and resisted the urge to lift her hand and push his gaping mouth closed "I'll be waiting for you here."

Without a single word the little boy run to fulfil her order. Christine's stomach gargled impatiently.

A little while later she saw the young lad running towards her with her order in his arms. But suddenly he stopped. He stood frozen at his spot with his eyes wide as saucers. Christine saw his lips moving but she couldn't make out the words in so much noise. She took a step towards him and then she heard someone shouting behind her "THAT'S HER!"

Before she had the time to react a hand covered her mouth stifling her scream, while another one wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her to the shadows.

Erik Dacre observed with wide eyes the four men snatching Christine de Volk almost from his grasp.

Two days now he ambushed with his men in the festival, waiting for the right moment to abduct the Comte's sister. And now, someone was stealing his prey. He swallowed a scream of indignation to avoid the unwanted attention and for the same reason he didn't attack the men who had the audacity to ruin his plans.

"Milord?" Sir Dudley's voice echoed his surprise. "Should I order the men to run after those bastards?"

Bastards? Erik almost burst into laughter. If those men were ragamuffin louts then what was he? After all hadn't he come to the Volk's castle with the same goal?

Okay, maybe not with the exact same goal. His men would abduct Volk's sister and would bring her to Dacre's castle blindfolded. Then he, Comte Erik Dacre, would save with bravery the damsel in distress, he would comfort and secure her in order to bring her back to her brother safe and sound; gaining this way the Comte's eternal gratitude.

He wanted to attack those four men but unfortunately they were in a hostile area and they didn't want to draw people's attention. And first off because he would have to explain what he was doing at the Volk's festival.

"Nay, don't do anything." He replied at his general "We'll follow them closely. Don't do anything before I tell you unless the lady's safety is in danger. Our plan can still succeed."

A/N: Yeehaaaaaa and the action starts already ;) and there's still a lot to come, I promise! I hope you enjoyed it, please let me know what you think:)!

Until the next time, folks :D!