The Hunter and the hunted

[katalynn]

She couldn't keep up with him when he began to move harder into her. No matter how good it felt, her body is exhausted from the many orgasms. She is also emotionally exhausted from all the stress this day has caused. When he came, she gave one last scream of pleasure before that exhaustion completely took over. Kynthia did try to stay awake, to enjoy him longer, it simply didn't happen and barely responds when he pulls out. Her arms instinctively wrap around his neck while he carries her to bed.

Even in her sleep, she wouldn't let him go easily, acting as if he is going to leave her again. Feeling him settling in next to her did calm her sleep down more, putting a silent fear at ease. His soft words reached her and they brought out a small smile as she whispered,

"I love you Daddy...."

Though, she is unaware of the exact words she used as she drifted off into a deep sleep...

****

A few hours later Kynthia woke up to a strange sound in the hallway. Victor had rolled over at some point, which allowed her to quietly crawl out of the bed. He must be very tired as she watched for a moment or two. It's clear that it wouldn't be easy to wake up him right away. Which gave her the chance to slip out of the room unnoticed. On the way out, she started shifting into a more comfortable form with her flowy tail flicking behind her. It was the she growled deeply upon seeing the human child!

It was playing with the wolf pups, chasing them up and down the hall, playing a small game of tag. I didn't like it being here, didn't the scent it gave off... all I saw was the future danger this human will create when it's older. Still, Victor brought it here all the same and the wolf pups didn't seem to fear it. The child most likely saw the castle in its true form considering how innocent children are. Yet, Kynthia looked at the mark on her hand and it was glowing softly for some reason. That gave her the urge to go to this child, which she did and touched the mark to the girls forehead. Now, she can see the castle for everything it had to offer, even clothes that will fit her. Also, it meant the child is under the castles protection.

The child seemed happy and curious about Kynthia, reaching for her tail and feet, though Kynthia wanted nothing to do with this child. Without a word, she walked off to let the kid do her thing, knowing the pups will look after her. Kynthia had other things on her mind and before too long, she was in full wolf form making the run towards the human village. Using the tracks left behind from the packs run yesterday... She needed to see for herself that the village is destroyed, to find out what claimed it if the wolves hadn't done it...

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

The sun was coming up and Ben stretched, standing up off the cold ground.

“Get up you man, we got to go check the traps.”

Ben went around getting the men up, they had only been in the area for a night, they had hoped to stop in the village to stay in the inn but something horrible happened. They wandered through the ruins until they found the corpses of the men, they looked like they had been ripped apart by dogs. It really was a mess, but their dress and skin tone told them they were from Borellis, maybe they were bandits or maybe a group of marauders, that country was well known for its lawlessness. It was rare for them to come into the Northland, but every time they did people died. This village was just another causality. But the ruins did offer some protection from the elements and they could hunt and trap from here for a few weeks before heading back to the city. Ben enjoyed his time out in the wild, there were no lawmen and most people never encountered one to report what he and his boys did. They could have their fun and make some coin and head back to the city an look like upstanding citizens. It was a good life.

The men pulled themselves up and headed out into the woods. They had several traps around the ruins, they were hoping to get a few pelts in addition to the meat, but even Ben hadn’t expected what they found in a snare trap. He had heard old tales of these creatures, but in his 40 years in the woods, he never had even caught a fleeting glimpse of one. He had written them off as a legend, until now. A girl, no a woman, mixed with a wolf, she was snared by the arm and was staring at him. She growled like a feral beast at him and used her free hand to swipe at him. She kept turning in circles to avoid his grasp. Grabbing her by the leg he dragged her down and using his weight he kneeled on her back driving his knee into her, her eyes burned angerly at him until he used the butt of his crossbow to sedate her. Ben dragged her up and threw her over his shoulder after using the excess of the snare to bind her hands and feet together, her tail limp covered her bits, but he couldn’t help but take a quick look and cope a feel. She was a fine woman, her sex was tight and offered some resistance to a probing finger.

The hike back with her took quite some time, it was well into the twilight of the day once he got back into the village, he got some of the men to look around, they found an old set of stocks that wasn’t in too bad of shape. They got it set up, using some rocks to hold it steady. They put her arms and neck through the holes and used the snare wire to lash it closed. She was still limp and her body sagged, her breast hanging heavy underneath her. Some of the men started to touch her, Their hands rubbed her breast and pinched her nipples. Ben wondered what the tail felt like and he lifted it like he was inspecting a hunting dog. Her tail was soft in his hands and a quick glance told him her body was responding to the touching. He cupped her sex in his hand, weighing it and feeling the telling sign of arousal, her lips red and puffy. The men continued to take turns groping her and he was curious. Leaving her exposed from behind he walked around the stocks, a thin line of drool fell from her lips, she was out cold, but the body has its own mind sometimes. He chuckled as he undid his belt and pulled his flaccid cock from his trousers. He rubbed it a few times bringing his cock to arousal, he rubbed the tip along her lips before sliding it into her mouth. His head hit her throat and she gagged, her eyes burned as she started to thrash. He almost lost his cock as her teeth gnashed at it. The men around her jumped back, as he started laughing.

“Look at the little beast boys, it thinks it can fight, he knelt down taking her face in his massive hand, little thing you aren’t going anywhere. I’ve heard of your kind, and I think some of the men in the city will pay good money for your ass. But before you get there we are going to make sure every hole you have is well fucked and ready for them.”

He walked away and searched around some of the debris nearby, he pulled a small metal object out of the ash. He whipped some of the ash off and chuckled.

“I think a bridle will do you some good missy, keep you from biting anyone today.”

She struggled, holding her mouth shut as he pressed the dirty metal against it, an ear ringing slap brought her jaw slack and wheeled tears to her eyes. The bit was meant for a horse and was much too big for her mouth but Ben didn’t care, he rammed it to where it held her mouth open and secured it around her head. She could try to chew on it, but her teeth wouldn’t come anywhere near connecting to bite. He rubbed his cock along her lips, his tip glistening with her spit. He knelt down next to her and whispered in her ear.

“Now, I’m going to fuck you, I’m going to fuck you till I’m done and you filled with my cum, then the rest of the men will have a turn. After that, I may take the bit out.”

He patted her cheek and stood, she could feel his fingers along her back before both his hands found her hips. Her tail was held by another set of hands and she felt him push into her. Her bodies arousal betrayed her, giving him a wet entrance. But her body started to react, this wasn’t her Alpha and she would not be pleased by him.

Ben laughed as her body tried to reject him, he pushed his cock inside her and started thrusting his hips. The other men laughed and fondled her breast and continued to tease her. One of them even stood in front of her and apparently was using her mouth for himself. His thrust was fast and hard, he jackrabbited into her and soon he was spent, he pulled his flaccid penis from her, dripping with his cum he smacked her ass before turning and tucking himself back into his pants.

“I’m done boys, you guys can take a turn if you want.”

On the edge of town, Jeremy could hear the men hooting, they had brought the girl into town and he was sure they were doing something worse than he wanted to think about to her. He had taken one look at her and felt pity for her, he offered to stand guard, even though there wasn’t anything for miles just so he wouldn’t have to be around them. A twig broke and he spun just in time to see the wolf lunge. He tried to scream but the blood filling the hole where his throat was prevented it.

Ben grabbed a wineskin and chugged it as he searched for a place to piss, He felt over something in the dark and landed in a wet spot. Through the gloom he saw the blood, then the mangled face of Jeremy. The flesh had been ripped from him, he started to panic before the last thing that went through his mind was the wolves fangs.

Kynthia had tears streaming down her face, the first had been bad, but the second was hurting her. Her body was in shock and in pain. The man finished and pulled out of her, her jaw hurt from the bit and her legs were weak. She heard the men step away, saying something about getting a drink.

Victor was furious, he had woken up to a wolf telling him that his mate had gone out into the woods toward the village. He had tracked her and found the spot where she was snared, the scent changed slightly and he knew her form must have changed. The other scent was what worried him, it was foul, a man that hadn’t bathed and must have drunk quite a bit the night before. But it made it easier to track them back to the village ruins, the first boy hadn’t stood a chance. The next one was the man he had tracked, he had taken his time to crush that one's skull. He smelt his mate and the smell of sex.

He was beyond raged then. The next two tried to fight, but he lunged and knocked the one onto the other. He bleed the first on out onto the other man before biting through the seconds face. Their blood was foul and left the taste of iron in his mouth. He shifted, and found a wineskin, using the liquid to wash the taste out he started to get fuzzy. The wine must have been laced with something, he had drunk as a hunter many times but something didn’t feel right this time. He walked through the remains of the village, searching for Kynthia, with every step he felt whatever was in the wine intensify. He stumbled around a corner and saw her, she was in a pair of stocks that had been used to hold public shaming for those that didn’t follow the rules. He drunkenly laughed, well that was fitting at least.

A light drizzle had started and the rain ran down his body, he could see it forming a small puddle on her back and her legs appeared week struggling to stand in the mud forming under her.

He walked toward her, he could smell the men on her and it raised his anger, he could also smell the lingering scent of her arousal.

Had she liked it?! What all had they done to her?! What was this feeling of jealousy and rage and sadness he was feeling? She was his, she didn’t belong to anyone but him, every part of her, every drop of blood, every inch of her sex was his!

Not speaking he pressed himself against her, he was angry with the men and her, she had put herself in danger and he didn’t know what to do with his feelings. He was inside her before he had time to think. His cock was hard and he thrust into her. His fingers dug into her hips and he was disgusted and aroused by the feeling of the other men in her. He wondered if she could even tell the difference between his cock and theirs. He drove himself deep into her, his primal side raising within him, the anger and fresh smell of blood drove the wolf mad and he could feel his cock shift, the knot forming at the base. He drove it into her sex, somewhere along the lines she had become wet again and he claimed her for him again, his knot spreading her tunnel wide. He came and collapsed onto of her, his hips pumping on their own as he filled her with his cum. He remembered something from his time as a hunter, male wolves sperm was competitive and it was believed that only the strongest males could father pups. He hoped that by taking her again, that even his seed would kill the traces of the other males inside her. His wolf had burned the toxin from his system, and his head was clear again. He felt a pang of guilt as his knot fell from her. He quickly ran to her front, and broke the wire holding the stock together and carefully removed her bit, he didn’t look her in the eyes for a moment, afraid of what he would see reflected back at him.

“Are you ok?”

 

[katalynn]

She ran hard and fast towards the village, all she wanted to do is check the place out. Look for any kind of clues to find out if she and her wolves were in more danger. It has been her job to look after the wolves for so long, that it is the natural thing for her to do. She knew that Victor will most likely be upset with her. Though, if she returns to him within a reasonable amount of time, then things will be okay.... However, the further she ran, there were new foul scents in the air. The scent of man and they were in the area recently.

Kynthia had tried to be cautious with her steps, trying to stay clear of known traps. Sadly, she's never been to this general area before because it is too close to the village. Normally this area is crawling with humans, though there were none out here today. Then again, it is still very early and for all she knew, they could still be sleeping. Due to the scent of fresh humans though, Kynthia decided to turn back, believing that the village is fine. The only danger here are the humans as always.

One wrong step into a trap she didn't see and it practically ripped her front leg off. It lifted her into the air and yanked her shoulder out of socket in the wolf form. Fear instantly rushed into her, almost overriding the pain shooting into her shoulder. Natural instinct kicked in and she shifted into the half form in order to cut at the rope. That didn't work though considering the weight on her caught arm ended up being too much to handle. Her claws weren't cutting through the rope well enough. Each movement only brought more pain.

That was about the time the hunters arrived and she fought even harder to break free from the trap. Events after that fell into a blur, sight is red and filled with sheer pain when they pulled her down. The fight kicked again until the world went into blackness. She can feel the sensation of being picked up, almost like she's floating in air. With her arms hanging freely, the pain her shoulder was felt subconsciously and she couldn't react to it. Eventually, the throbbing in her head stirred the reality to come back. Feeling many hands groping at her and a foul scent surrounded her.

Subconsciously she tried to wake up, doing what she can to force herself awake. However what did wake her is the nastiest taste she has ever tasted in her life. To make it worse, is that this thing is choking her, tearing into her throat. Instinctively she bit down and started fighting again, pulling at her hands wanting to get them free. Nothing she did worked and this filthy human forced something very painful into her mouth. She screamed and shaking her head in hopes to shake the thing off. She screamed again when the human penetrated her from behind.

That scream was cut off by another cock being shoved down her throat, she couldn't breathe. Couldn't bite, or claw... Completely helpless as these men use her. She choked and gagged so hard when the man filled her mouth with his nasty human seed. With that, she didn't register the man behind her had finished at the same time. Though she felt the seed dripping down her trembling legs. Another set of men took their place, this time the one from behind hurt... It was different and so much pain overwhelmed her, it felt as though he's tearing her ass right in half. She can feel the tunnel ripping at his size, however, she can't scream or breathe as the other man is buried in her throat.

By the time they were done, she was on the verge of blacking out again from all the pain. The world around her is in a haze and all fight vanished as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. To make it all worse, the rain is freezing, shocking her nerves more than they already are. Before she knew what's happening, more pain shot straight into her core and her screams filled the air. Another male is behind her and he is so much bigger than the humans. She couldn't smell him because of the cum cover her nose, her ears were pinned down from the fear.

It did take a few moments for her to fully realize that it is her mate using her. Her mate that is causing her more pain, he didn't free her first, didn't come to her aid... Instead, he took advantage of the situation. The knot caused her to give a blood curling scream as it added the mixture of pain she's already in. When he did eventually free her, Kynthia was in too much shock to look at him. Flinching away from his touch as he had the nerve to ask if she's okay. Deep down she knew he would be upset with her, expected him to scold her for running off.... But this...

"Do I look ok to you? .. No! .... I am not ok...."

She snapped at him with fresh tears and it's more than obvious that she's fighting back the need to cry. Every inch of her body is in sheer pain, which means to have her shift back into wolf form had to be excruciating for her. However, she didn't care as she shifted and he could see that her shoulder isn't quite right. Even heard it pop as she winced from the pain, her first step on that paw nearly floored her and she yelped.

Another step gave the same reaction, forcing herself to push through the pain, Kynthia started to move away. He can see the blood on her fur from when the man took her ass. The whole time limping on her front paw as she kept trying to run away. Just watching her trying to run away was painful for anyone to see. He can sense that her emotions were raging, a mixture of hurt that he would do that to her. Angry that this happened at all, he said there were no humans here and she felt as if he lied to her.

The biggest thing that hurt her the most is the fact that she has human seed inside her body! That thought alone had her stopping in her tracks and in seconds she is throwing up. The very idea that any human has used her made her sick, she can still smell taste them. Kynthia tried to run again, only to get a few more feet before getting sick again.

Of course she took the blame for coming out here in the first place... His action however, hurt her just as much as those humans did.. if not more considering he's her mate. She knew that Victor is right behind her, yet she wanted nothing to do with him right now and kept trying to put distance between them.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Victor watched her leave, what had he done? He didn't know what to do, she didn't want his help, he wanted to follow but was that wise? He sat down in the ash and watched as his mate limped away. He couldn't find the part of him that let him shift, his wolf was shut off from him. He started to panic, what would he do, how could he be with her after, and at the rest how could he be a part of the pack if he didn't have his wolf. He listened, he still recognized her howl a long sorrow filled cry to the moon, but he couldn't understand her anymore. He sat in the mud as the rain fell harder and tears streamed down his face.

The next morning the sun came up, the rain had stopped and the mud had started to dry out in the unseasonable weather. He looked around him, he hadn't heard anything all night, that worried him. Standing up he turned to survey the area, the last of the embers of the ruin had extinguished with the rains and bodies of the men from last night were starting to spoil. His stomach lurched and the acid burned his throat. He wretched on the ground until he had nothing to give anymore. He collapsed into his own vomit, he didn't care it might be where he belonged. Something akin to sleep finally took him. He never rested, his mind tortured him replaying her pain over and over to him. He didn't feel the teeth on his neck or his body being dragged until he hit a sharp rock that woke him from his stupor. He was groggy and looked up at the great black wolf that he ran with the night before dragging him, the eyes of the wolf glared back into him and his mind faded.

He awoke in wolf form, his muscles were bruised and he felt like he had been broken in a dozen places. There was light, but not much, the floor was hard and cold and he could hear the wind whistling. Looking around he saw he was in a cave. He tried to stand, his legs shaking before he was hit with something that felt like a horse. He slammed against a rock wall, he felt a rib crack before he went black again.

He awoke to feel a warmth wash over him, he felt the water around him, he was floating in something. He tried to open his eyes, they were human again and not well suited to the dark. Small dots of light lit up the ceiling and reflected like the stars into the pool of cold spring water he was in. He righted himself in the water and was turned toward the sound of water being disturbed. Turning he saw a human form at the edge of the water, but it’s forms wasn't solid and seemed to shift between masculine and feminine, human and a wolf without ever settling. He swam toward "it", as he approached the black wolf appeared and bared it's teeth before the human female reappeared and had a scolding look on her face. Victor was confused and had so many questions, but started simple.

"Who are you"

Her voice was like a wind in the night and the sound of moonlight on a summers lake.

"Who are you to speak to me as an Alpha?"

Her voice shifted and it was rough and sounded like bones grinding and flames crackling.

"You who hurt the one you loved, do you think you have the right anymore if you were ever worthy?"

Victor flinched at the tone it that. He stopped moving and floated in the water. "Her" voice returned.

"Victor, you have done something horrible, the pack won't see it that way they do not feel the way WE and you and Kynthia do. Your spirits are intertwined, just like mine and his."

The masculine form appeared, and shifted to his wolf, the great black wolf stood at the edge of the pool his fangs bared. Victor looked at its reflection and saw the white wolf from the other night reflected where the males image should have been.

"Who are you? Please tell me."

They spoke at once, both voices sharing the one mouth.

"We are the first pairing. The progenitors of the bloodline. The first Alphas. He was a great wolf who saved her from a human's hand. She was a fair elf maiden who used her magic to shape his form. They loved, they pained, we shared our forms and we became something else. Her elven heritage protected her, his wolf pack became their protection. We passed our magic on, to our pups to theirs and to worthy individuals."

Their form shifted and the woman was at the edge of the pool again.

"He brought you here to teach you a lesson, one we learned so many moons ago. You will remain here, trapped in this cave, there is no light except for the glowing worms above you, the water is fresh, and you will have to survive on the worms that drop from the ceiling."

She paused her form shifting rapidly, and Victor got the feeling THEY were arguing about something.

"You will not be able to leave until Kynthia chooses to come to you. If she doesn't you will eventually die here."

He tried to protest but she was gone, he heard a growl from deeper up the cave and the sound of rocks moving and a dust cloud rolled down the tunnel.



Back at the keep, a small girl waited at the gates near the woods, she was scared the man who brought her here and the nice wolf lady that had been nice to her and helped her talk to the wolves were gone. The wolf puppies were scared, they said the Alphas were gone. A big white wolf came out of the woods first, she had the same blue eyes as the wolf lady.

Rebecca ran up to the wolf, she wrapped her small arms around it. She ignored the wolf's growls, she was worried and scared. When the wolf limped past her she felt bad and ran to help support who she thought was the wolf lady in her wolf form.

"Ms. Wolf Lady, where is mister? I wanted to thank him for saving me. Kino says you and him are married?"

She helped the Kynthia up to the keep, instead of taking her to the bedroom, she lead her to a room her and the pups had found. She knew she didn't really tell the wolf to come, but she knew it was hard to be mean to a child. She had used it to get away with stuff in the village. Remembering her family made her tear up, but the Wolf lady was hurt and she needs to take care of her first. A great bath that was off the main hall. The room held 3 large baths, and around the walls were tables and cubbies for holding belongings. She turned the handles to release the water with a little struggle before helping Kynthia into the water. She got out long enough to run across the floor splashing water all over the floor, to grab a towel from one of the cubbies around the room. The water was warm and relaxing even to Rebecca.

As she settled in next to the wolf lady in the tub, her eyes rolled back and her voice changed. The pool became infused with magic and Kynthia could feel her wounds closing and her body returning to her. Rebecca talked with a soft voice, the sound of a stream lit by a full moon came from the child.

"Kynthia, your mate is lost to you, he has hurt you and broken something sacred. He will remain lost until you find it in your heart to help him find himself. I have used this child to communicate with you and I will do so in the future. You have lost a part of yourself too, this child will help you find it. Together you may save Victor. If not, then this is the end of both the elves and your true pack."

 

[katalynn]

On the way back allowed her time to reflect on the mistake she made by leaving. Although, how was she to know? She's been on these lands for many, many years, she knows these woods inside and out. She shouldn't have had any issues being out on her own, it is something she's done a thousand times over. Why would this run be any different, she shouldn't need his permission to go out when she feels like it. Having a mate is so new to her, having to answer to an alpha is even newer. When he did that to her, it felt as though he was punishing for the interaction with the humans. Almost as if he was blaming her for their actions....

What did he think? That she enjoyed that experience? He above all others, should know how she feels about the humans. Then to have him act just like one of them in those few short moments.... It only reminded her that he is more human than wolf. He's only been reconnected with his wolf for a few short days... Being human is his nature and perhaps that's why did that to her. Saw a helpless female, exposed and clearly heightened with sexual energy... What male wouldn't take advantage of that? It was as if he didn't see her as a mate in that moment.

Kynthia took her time getting back to the castle, a bit surprised that he isn't following behind her. Really surprised that he isn't trying to chase her down, no apologies, no scolding.. nothing.. It's as if he is that upset with her, enough to leave her on her own again. She couldn't believe that he is allowing her go without any fuss. That too made her upset and after a while, she figured he may have just gone back home.

The human girl came running out and instantly hugged Kynthia. The hug hurt, though she knew the child didn't mean to cause any pain. Regardless, it is just another human to deal with, luckily, she is just a child. Kynthia was shocked to hear that Victor hadn't returned yet. That created some worry and she almost turned around to go look for him. Sadly, she was in no shape right now to be out running around. Instead, allowed this child to guide her to the bath. It's been hours at this point and none of the wolves knew where Victor is.

This tore at her, one hand she is still very upset with him and extremely hurt by how he handled her. In the end, he is her mate and is the alpha of this pack. He has proven that he does care about the pack and what happens to it. Shaking her head, she can't think about that right now.... He took advantage of her, making an already traumatizing situation worse. For once she is actually afraid of him now. She felt the anger and a mixture of emotions pouring off him when he dominated her.

Suddenly the girl the changed in front of her, it was then Kynthia realized she had forgotten the child was there at all. The girl had been washing her fur while Kynthia remained in wolf form. She didn't want to talk, didn't want to show her emotions right now and the wolf hid all that. She is certainly not in the mood to deal with more human issues. This human child is clearly using magic... Kynthia instantly growled deeply, unsure of how to handle this.

She looked at the girl confused when she spoke in a different voice, more adult and full of wisdom. Another deep growl escaped when this voice spoke of her mate being lost. What did that mean? He isn't lost, he's just.... well, Kynthia didn't know where he is... But he isn't the type to go down easy.

"I am not lost.. I know exactly where my place is in this world... I don't need some human child's help!"

Kynthia snapped while shifting into her human form, suddenly feeling threatened by this unknown voice. More so when it spoke about Victor being lost and it is up to her to find him. That can only mean that this person controlling this voice has him somewhere. She glared at the child, the anger is rising again believing that this is another human playing games on her.

"Yes, he hurt me.. But that's just the human in him... That is what humans do.. He can't help himself. It was my fault, I shouldn't have run off..."

It's obvious that Kynthia is just trying to make up an excuse as to why he did it. Not fully aware as to how this voice knew what happened in the first place. Naturally, with her place being his submissive, she put the all the blame onto herself. Though, they all knew the truth behind it, that it was uncalled for and that he could have dealt with it better.

Kynthia shakes her head and her heart isn't in the right place to deal with this. Part of her obviously wants to go out and hunt for him, the other part is still crushed by his actions. The only thing she can think about is that she can't protect this pack without him. She hated the idea that someone else is playing games with her and the pack...

Taking in a deep breath to calm her nerves a tiny bit, trying hard to think about this more rationally. If she is to get him back, she needs to know what this all means. It was too much to process and she didn't feel lost at all. She just barely got him back and now he's lost again? How is that possible?

"He is too strong willed to be lost.. He knows where home is.. How exactly is he lost? What do you mean it'll be the end of us? I am with his pups... they will continue the generation of our kind... Just let him come home..."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

The voice in Rebecca's mouth seemed mournful at the hurt in Kynthia’s voice. The girl's body reached out and hugged Kynthia’s new form.

“You are mistaken my child, you don’t understand the point of what is to come. You may have pups, but if you do not tread this path their magic will be that of the woods. They won’t have the choice of two forms. The short life of the wolf or the tragic life of a human. As time goes your magic will fade as well, if this journey doesn’t end by the time his mind or body gives out, well there will be no more magic in the world that can save him.”

The child's arms tightened around Kynthia once more, and soft tears escaped the child's eyes.

“Don’t lose yourself to this Kynthia, my blood flows in you just as my magic gave us the choice, this child will help you find what you need to, but only you can do the searching.”

Rebecca let her grip lessen and started at the confused girl in the bath. She reached out with a hand and touched the mark on Kynthia’s hand.

“I will give you this one gift, my mate thinks you need to suffer for this to work, but we both know men can be so sure they have it all figured out, don’t we? "

She giggled as she spoke. A grin returning to the child's face before continuing.

"I think you will find that humans have the same trouble, they are capable of such great things but they fall prey to their lesser nature so easily. But we all have that side to us, don't we? Take care of this child, she will help find yourself so you can find him in return”

Rebecca smiled as her body slumped into Kynthia’s arms. A soft murmuring told Kytnhia the child was asleep. The water returned to its natural state and the room felt empty and less full of life as it had. Rebecca stirred in Kynthia’s embrace and rose up.

“Ms. Wolf lady, why are you naked?

Somewhere deep in Kynthia's mind, the sound of a man's heart sounded. It was strong and vibrant. As she listened to the sound it became faster and harder as if it was stressed by hard work.





Victor climbed from the pool. The weight of the situation hadn't quite hit him yet, the night before, his actions, the cave, what he assumed was his ancestors, everything was just too much. He sat on his haunches and put his head in his hands as the feelings overwhelmed him.

He sat for what felt likes hours in the dark, nothing but the drips of water into the pool and the sound of air moving to distract him. Eventually, he rose out of his depression, his muscles sore and his joints stiff, he heard several pops as he started moving.

Once he reached the point where the cave ended and he could hear the outside world behind the massive pile of boulders he leaned against them with his weight. Feeling no change he decided to save his energy. He was stuck here, for how long he didn't know, he couldn't move the stones and he only saw the one path to the pool and the glowing worms. He turned trying to see in the dim gloom, the room wasn't large, maybe 20 ft across and roughly circular except for the wall of boulders. On the far side of the room, he noticed it, a form leaned against the wall. A muscular man with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Who are you?"

The man chuckled and uncrossed his arms taking a step toward him. He was naked his skin darker than Victors and his hair black and tied into a tight knot behind his head. Standing over Victor he was a giant all muscle and sinew. A massive scar ran down his face and his neck. The man had no shame as he stood before Victor, who for the first time seemed to notice the chill on his naked skin.

"Victor, you should know me. The man shifted into the massive black wolf with the scar momentarily before returning to his human form. Do you know why you are here?

Victor lowered his head in shame.

"Because of my actions and the pain, I caused Kynthia"

"Wrong"

Victor glared, he was confused, why else was he here?

"Because I didn't protect her?"

"Wrong again boy"

Victor grew angry, his heartbeat raised and he lunged the man. He was quickly thrown to the floor, earning a face full of dirt for his trouble. He glared up at the man.

"Because I raped her when she needed me to save her."

"Wrong again."

The man kicked him, it felt like his ribs were caving in and his breath failed him. Victor tried to stand but he couldn't put any weight on his arms. Everything hurt.

"Boy, your answers tell part of the story, part of the problem, part of why you are here."

The man returned to his spot on the wall, crossing his arms before speaking.

"Don't worry Boy, we have time, Kynthia has to come for you and until then I will wait for your answer or until you break and I put you out of your misery."

Victor laid on the cold ground and stared at the man, he was confused and he reached out for his wolf, he found nothing but the void to answer him. For the first time in his life, he was afraid, tears ran down his face as he screamed her name into the dust.

 

[katalynn]

The more she listened to this voice, the more she hated this situation. Getting the urge to pry this girl off her. Realizing that this child is a hugger.. Something Kynthia is not comfortable with at all!! The part where she claims Kynthia needs to suffer really hit a nerve, like reopening a wound... Hasn't she suffered enough already? What kind of gift allows another to suffer? Then that talk of the humans having the same troubles. That almost made Kynthia laugh, humans are the cause of all the problems in the world. Their greed is what made her kind practically extinct.... It was the humans that chased off the elves, enslaved them....

"Damn it... Why are these things happening to me? I've lived in peace for so long.. I never needed to 'find myself'... I hate my human side... I never needed to accept it before..."

Kynthia growled very deeply, fighting off the urge to break down... It's clear that she wanted to nothing to do with being human, hated every aspect of it and getting raped by them only proved that humans were worthless creatures. Glancing down at the child, angry that she has to take care of this creature. She knew nothing of how to care for a human child, she didn't know why this child is still here.

"I am always naked.. Clothes are useless and they suffocate me. Also, I am hardly ever in this form.. My wolf fur is good enough."

Kynthia spoke as she stood up while glancing down at the human creature again. This kid is only going to get in her way, if it comes with her, that means Kynthia will have to protect it as well. Not to mention, she'll have to listen to it ask a million questions.

"I suppose you need clothes though huh? Did you not find any within the castle?"

Her heart ached when she felt this other sensation running through her core, the way it felt, she can only assume that it is Victor. But, she listened to Rebecca's answer and found out that she did find a room fit for a child her age. That it has lots of clothes and toys for her, that at least took some stress off Kynthia. The other thing is having no idea what to feed it. Victor knew more about what this child needs than she did.

"What do I call you? You can call me Kynthia.. It's easier than wolf lady."

The girl gave her name and Kynthia gave a tiny smile, though the girl didn't really see it. With that, Kynthia dried off and braided her hair to get it out of the way. Naturally, Rebecca followed her around and wanted her hair braided too. Kynthia hated this, having no idea what to do with this little creature. Though, she did find it odd that humans start out innocent like her... Kynthia kept trying to find what game this child is playing. There is no way she is this innocent....

"Go pack a small bag of... whatever it is you eat... I can't leave you here alone and it looks like I have somewhere to be.. Hurry along, I will wait for you outside.."

Kynthia didn't know if there is food in the castle for the girl, she only assumed there is. However, where they are going, food will be scarce and Kynthia only know how to hunt for raw meat. Humans don't eat raw meat, something Kynthia could never understand... Like everything else, humans destroy the meat by cooking it. She just simply didn't understand humans, in all honesty, the elves were difficult too with all their way of life. If she had her way, she'd stay in wolf form and could be happy with that.

"Humans.... what have they done for me? They have taken everything from me... Even now they are taking and tearing my world apart..."

She growled to herself while shifting into her wolf form, it would be easier to travel in. The child can ride on her back and she can go greater distances with the wolf form. This entire thing disgusted her, someone has her mate, she can't feel him like she used to. To make her more angry is this so called gift that is meant to make her suffer... The last thing she needed. It isn't as though she is without emotions, she does care, loves and all the things that humans do... She just doesn't like them because they get in the way of the task at hand.

"If you are ready.. Climb onto my back and hold on tight. We have a long ways to go."

Rebecca did as instructed, she's surprisingly smaller than Kynthia had expected. Before she took off, she told the other wolves that she'll be gone for a few days. Leaving one of them in charge of hunts, telling them to stay near the den as much as possible. Soon they were off, returning to the village where she had left him. It is the only place to find his scent and tracks...

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Victor pulled the glowing worm off the floor, they always stuck to what every they touched. He popped into his mouth, its bioluminescence splashing onto his lips as he chewed it. They were beautiful, but they tasted horrible. His feet dangled in the water, holding his bruised ribs he glared across the room at his companion. True to his word the man had kept his constant companionship, only talking to ask him the question over and over and tell him he was wrong. If Victor answered wrong too many times the man would beat him. He was so much more powerful than Victor could ever hope to overcome. His blows felt like being pummeled by the mountain itself. The bruises over his body told him the awful truth, he was outmatched.

“Why are you here?”

Victor glared at the man, he hated hearing those words. Nothing he tried worked.

“Because you drug me here you colossal shit.

“Boy, you want an ass whipping don’t you, then let me oblige you”

Victor wasn’t prepared for the blow even watching it come. The man’s fist drove into his face and knocked him into the water. Victor sank to the bottom of the pool, it was just deep enough he could stand on the bottom and be about a foot under the surface. He glared at the man from below and he heard it. A growl, angry and hungry coming from his throat.

It was the fifth day of his isolation.



Rebecca ran to pack, she didn't know where they were going, but she always enjoyed traveling. Her mamma had taken her a few places, never more than a day or two but camping on the road had always been fun. She threw some clothes in a small bag and grabbed a few bits of food from the castle. She ran to meet Kynthia and was a little disappointed to see her in her wolf form. But at least she could understand her now. She ran up and hugged the wolf around the neck, kissing her muzzle before dancing off into the distance.

Rebecca played with her braided hair, it was adorable and every time she played with it she wanted to thank Kynthia for it but the wolf lady wasn’t always happy to be thanked for it. She rode on Kynthia’s back, her eyes wandered from tree to tree, she laughed as the squirrels ran higher and some of the smaller creatures scurried away. They had little to fear, they were bite-sized for Kynthia and she hadn’t ever had meat. Her mother had been too poor to afford anything more than some simple bread and grains for gruel.

So far, she had just gathered some berries and fruits. Making fire had been troublesome, but she had figured it out. She cooked up a simple stew with some fresh water and the ingredients she remembered.

“Ms. Kynthia, would you like some soup? It’s good, I put strawberries and some mushrooms in it.”

She talked to the wolf constantly, she wanted to know about her and why she lived the way she did. Why did she stay in her wolf form? Did she love Victor? Did she like her? What were they hunting for? Did she know who took Victor? What was a mate? Why did when she slept at night did Kynthia’s tummy rumble? Was she excited about having puppies? Could she play with them? What happened when they found Victor? Could she turn into a wolf? A thousand more questions spewed forth the child’s curiosity was endless, and she wandered about everything.

“Ms. Kynthia, do you think Mister Victor is ok? You said he lived in the village, I don’t remember anyone being able to turn into a wolf there.”

Sometimes she rode, sometimes she walked beside her. They had strayed further than they had intended, it was almost a week now and Rebecca was growing tired. The cold nights had brought on a case of sniffles and her head was stuffy.
Ms. Kynthia, do you think we could rest for the night? My head feels funny.”

Rebecca lost her grip on Kynthia’s fur and fell to the side of the trail. She curled into a tight ball and shivered. That night she had curled up to Kynthia, using her fur as a blanket as the fire flickered. Her dreams were frightful and full of terrors.

“Mamma” She clung the wolf and settled once she curled under her leg and Kynthia’s paw draped over her.

As the moon shone on their little camp, Kynthia heard it for the first time in days. Victors howl, but it sounded a million miles away.

On the edge of the camp, two glowing eyes stared at the pair unbeknownst to their senses.

 

[katalynn]

This child irritated Kynthia so much that she came far too close to eating her and getting it over with! There other times when she thought about returning her to a human village. However, doing that is too risky, also there isn't enough time. Kynthia didn't know how much she honestly had, but she felt Victor and just knew that she needed to find him. There were a few times when she had to fight off some other predator to protect this child. They were in other wolves territory and they were not the only ones here that would love to have this child as a snack. Why she protected her... Kynthia will never know....

For most of the time, Kynthia ignored the bombing of questions, a few she answered... Others... well.. she couldn't answer if she wanted to. They did make her think long and hard about them. Mainly the questions about loving Victor, if she is excited about the pups... questions she hadn't thought about. Then the big one that hit hard is the "Do you like me?" question.... How is she suppose to answer that one? If course she didn't... This child is a human... There is no liking humans... Then, Victor is mostly human.. was raised by them. However, he ended up hating wolves and spent most of his life hunting them... That is unforgivable all on its own...

"You need warmer clothes child... And a hot bath..."

Kynthia sighed while looking around the area, it's been a very long time since she's been out this far. The creatures out here were far more dangerous than wolves, which meant she can't leave the child alone for long. She growled deeply with frustration, she knew this would happen. There is no time to take care of a sick child, they needed to keep moving. Though, it's clear that this child couldn't keep going tonight. Already passing out on the cold ground, to make it worse, it is starting to snow.

"Such a troublesome creature..."

Kynthia shifted and carried the child in her arms to find a better place to sleep. Where they were wouldn't do as it was too open and unsafe. It would be roughly 15 minutes before she found an abandoned den. She made sure that it was clean inside, sniffed around the area for any recent activity and found nothing recent. The girl was out and shivering, though there was nothing she could do about that right now. Kynthia covered the den enough to hide it from other predators.

With that, she went hunting for anything close by with thick fur, it didn't take her too long to find a decent size bear. It was an adult, maybe two or three years old, some of it will go to waste. She dragged it back to the den, checking on the girl and saw she's still sleeping. With that, she went off again to find some herbs that the elves had used for their sick. When she came back, she allowed the child to curl up against her for warmth. Doing what the kid did, Kynthia started up a fire, using the small pot she had with her and for the first time, she cooked a soup using the bear meat.

Eventually, she woke the kid up and made her eat the soup, telling her that it'll make her feel better. Meanwhile, she cut the rest of the fur with her sharp claws, being careful to keep it clean and not to rip it too much. In that time she heard Victor and that put a pause in all her actions. She ran out of the den to look in the direction it came from. The terrain is so rough in that direction and it did sound as if he is deep in the mountains. Her heart sank deep into her gut at the thought of how painful that howl was.

"Stay strong mate.... I'm coming..."

She whispered while looking down at the girl, seeing she's going to sleep again. A soft smile crept on Kynthia's lips when noticing she ate all the soup. With the bears fur and some magic, Kynthia created a nice thick cloak, some boots and gloves for the child.

It would be almost three days before she was well enough to travel again. Which really had Kynthia upset, too much time had passed and the snow is thicker now. His scent is gone, all she had to go on is his heart beat which gave her some direction.

"Listen kid, we need to make up for lost time. I am going to run hard and fast... There is no more stopping until night fall. Do you understand? I need you to be strong and hold on like you have been.. Keep that cloak on because there is a lot of snow where we are going."

When Rebecca nodded, Kynthia shifted into wolf again and made certain that she is snug. Soon, she took off running faster than she has been running, causing Rebecca to hold on tighter.

"Yes, kid I do love my mate.. I miss him a great deal.. we are hunting for him... You are a pest... however, you are a good pest..."

Kynthia didn't say it out right, but in her own way, she admitted to liking the kid... It was enough to receive a hug from the kid. She could never actually admit verbally that this kid has grown on her some. The nightmares she had did make her wonder about her past, wondering what happened to her mother.

"And yes.. you can play with my pups... I will even allow you to name one if you wish....Tell me something kid... What happened to your family and the human village?"

They didn't get very far from the den before some strange coyote came running up out of nowhere. He just started running along side Kynthia and the kid seemed to recognize him too. Kynthia simply ignored him for now while listening to Rebecca's story, hoping he'll go away!! She didn't want anymore company..

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

The wind and branches lashed at Rebecca's face, Kynthia ran and they were covering a lot of ground at this rate. Rebecca had remained silent for some time, she wasn't sure what to say about her family. She didn't want Kynthia to not like her anymore because of them. She buried her face into the wolfs neck before answering.

"My mother traveled for work, she never took a man for more than a night. My father well I meet him once after I'd seen him in town a few times. He always wore nice clothes. He smelt nice, but he wasn't nice. When my mother told him about me he slapped her and spit on me. That was last winter. I remember because it was cold in the house. We lived behind Mr. and Ms. McNeil. They were nice people, but that winter there wasn't much wood to go around and Mr. McNeil had broken his arm before the snow."

She hugged Kynthia from her position on her back, Rebecca didn't know if it was the memories or the wind but her eyes were red and teary. She buried her face again and tried to remember happier times. She barely registered the blurry spot in the flurry of snow that appeared beside them.





Victor's wolf let out a howl as he exploded toward the black wolf. It had taken him far too long to shift and it had been a painful experience. His duality pulled at him. Teeth bared and snarling he lunged, the black wolf dodged and bit down on his hind leg. The yip Victor gave was enough to make "Scar" snicker even with this wolf muzzle. Victor thought he was figuring out what he was there for, he wasn't sure and he wasn't sure he would ever get out of the cave as long as he couldn't beat Scar.

"Why are you and your mate bound in spirit?"

His question pulled an inquisitive look from Scar as he shifted back to the giant of a man his human form was.

"Hmmm, you ask a question even though you haven't answered mine yet? Lucky for you that your question has merit. We are bound because our bond was strong and when we died the magic she passed to me rejoined her and when she passed well even the forest wept that day."

Victor pondered his answer, he felt like there was something there he should figure out but he couldn't quite place it.

"I am the Alpha of my pack, how is it you can claim your position over me?"

Scar snickered and shifted into his wolf be for charging and snapping at Victor attempting to roll him over into a submission. Victor dodged at the last second, watching as Scar slide to a stop and glared back at him.

"Why don't you tell me, HOW do I claim anything?

Victor's heart pounded, he was figuring something out. He would be back with Kynthia soon. He hoped she would forgive him. His heart soared with the thought of her embrace and his gut wrenched with the thought of her pain.

"You have no right, I will teach you that the past is submissive to the present."

Scar sneered as the challenge rang out.

"The teach me, Boy."

Victor thought as they circled one another.

“It’s been one week, I can survive this. I love you Kynthia, wait for me.”





Coyote followed the pair from their campsite, they were headed toward the mountain where he had seen the wolf bastards take the man wolf. He had joined their hunt out of boredom, but he held no love for the wolves or elves, or the humans or the hybrids for that matter. But the child, he felt fey magic lingering on her, and that interested him. He cloaked himself from the child's vision and appeared beside the white wolf.

"Howdy! That child doesn't seem comfortable or well suited for this weather, where might you be going? I may be able to offer some advice on the best route. These woods are my home and I know them quite well."
He started using his body to lead the wolf in the direction he wanted her to go, using the terrain and crossing her path to make her turn and weave when he wanted.

“Oh so very rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself, names Coyote, just your friendly woodland spirit.”

Coyote worked a bit of magic and the snow began to fall heavier. It created a heavy blanket that was hard to see through. If his plan worked he would have a shot at getting the child and not have to fight the wolf for her.

“Oh dear, the storm is worsening, I know of a village nearby, the people are kind and they would be remiss to turn away a child and her….dog.”

He couldn’t help but goad with that last word, it was much too fun to get others blood running. He ran ahead and yipped jovially. Leading them to the edge of the village.

 

[katalynn]

It was heartbreaking to hear the childs story, Kynthia didn't know what to make of it really. Kynthia mates for life, and if her mate rejected her, she would never search for another. But this childs mother seemed to take on many mates? It wasn't unheard of though, there are plenty of creatures out there that don't care who they mate with. However, to hear that the father didn't want his own child, that was heart crushing. Again, most males don't stick around to raise the young, so perhaps that is the case with her family. Kynthia couldn't understand why humans would be like that, just another thing to confuse her.

She wanted to tell the kid that she is safe now, for some reason, she couldn't get the words out. The world were stuck in her throat and wouldn't give voice. It didn't matter though as this dang coyote took voice and breaking the awkward silence. Of course she knew the girl isn't having a good time, she knew that this isn't the place for a child. But that damn voice told her to take care of this child and she couldn't leave her with the wolves. If something was to happen to her, Kynthia wouldn't be there and then who knows what would happen. She didn't know who owned that voice or what they were capable of.

The blizzard got worse and the child held on tighter, Kynthia could feel her curling up more under the cloak. Hopefully her face is under the cloak too, that should keep her warm for the time being. Then this damn coyote started getting her way and is apparently guiding her to... somewhere...

"No.. this isn't the right way... I have to go this way.. I know where I'm going..."

That was a huge lie, she honestly didn't know where she is going, this is the farthest she has been in so long. She couldn't remember the last time she's been out this way and some of the terrain has changed over the years. None the less, she is following the strength of his heart beat. Constantly feeling its anger and pain that he is going through, all the while she feared of what is happening to him. When she went in the opposite direction, the feeling grew weaker... so she knew what direction she needed to go.

All the sudden he started to speak of a human village and before she knew it.... human scents filled the wind around her. At first she couldn't see the village through the blizzard and the scents were all around her, confusing her sense of direction for a moment. Her heart began to race harder than ever, leaving no doubt that Rebecca could hear and feel it pounding.

"NO!!! I will never step a paw there... The child is fine.. They may accept her, but they will never accept me. I am responsible for this child and I will not allow her out of my sight!"

Kynthia growled deeply while glaring down at the coyote, it's clear that she didn't care about him calling her a dog. Being insulted is the least of her concerns. She is dangerously too close to this village, close enough that she can hear their voices. Shaking her head as the fear and some anger rose more. Naturally she did want to drop the kid off, to leave her with her own kind and find a proper family. Again... that voice came out of nowhere and it actually scares Kynthia more. That voice has her mater, doing who knows what to him... Kynthia wasn't about to defy whoever it is and leave the child with strangers.

"We are too far in the wrong direction... You led me into a trap!!"

She snapped at the coyote and proceeded to head back in the direction of her mates heart... She had to get to him... too much time has been wasted...

"I'm cold and hungry Ms Kynthia..."

She heard Rebecca whisper near her ear, Kynthia only growled again knowingly. This hasn't been an easy trip for the girl and she didn't know what to do anymore.

"I know you are... But we can't stay here, it isn't safe for me. They will take one look at me.. see you are in danger.. then take you from me... Most likely kill me... They will not see me as a pet dog.. All they see is a dangerous wolf with a child."

The scent of humans made her sick and as she started to run, flashbacks of her rape were triggered.... No, she won't step foot near those humans.. Those memories made it to where she knew full well that shifting into her human form will not be possible. Also, humans for some reason have an issue with others of their kind being naked. That will no doubt cause the men to react the same way those hunters did. Chaining her up and doing as they please. Then if they find out she is an elf... a hybrid.... No, she can't allow that...

"Just hang on for a little longer. That fur I gave you will keep you safe if you stay under it...Don't worry, I will find us a safer place for the night.."

Truthfully, Kynthia is hungry and just as tired, running through this snow with the blizzard hasn't been easy on her either. Her face hurt from the sharp snow and cold winds, all she wanted to do is find a safer spot. Though, she'll have to go hunting again, which will be difficult in this storm...

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Coyote cursed, he had planned on her taking the girl into town for him, but he could deal with that. He weaved a spell into the air. His magic a mix of yips and yowls that his kind made at the moon who had tricked them. He put the girl to sleep, he watched as she fell off the wolf and he lunged before the woman could turn and catch the girl. He stole her away and ran toward the village.

“Just hang on”

That was the last thing Rebecca heard, her body couldn’t hold on anymore she was cold and tired. She came to being dragged through the snow. A funny voice was talking to her.

“How ya doing little thing, that stupid wolf let you fall off, well good ol’ Coyote has you now. I’ll take you to the village and they will get you some food. Once you're healthy I’ll come and collect you and we can have a chat.”

She heard growling and then she was knocked into the air, she landed in a snow bank and shivered. She heard shouting and then she was being lifted into someone’s arms. She heard the sounds of fighting and she experienced something new. She smelt something, it was chemically and reminded her of sweat and pee, then she smelt cooked meat and tanned hides as she was lifted into the air from the ground. Then she was warm, and she felt a soft material under her. A gentle hand was resting on her head.

“Amos, the child is sick, she’s burning up what are we going to do? Why was she out with those beasts?”

“I don’t know Tabitha, but all we can do is try to take care of her, the pass isn’t open, and the Doc won’t be back from gathering herbs for a few weeks.”

Rebecca rolled over, and a soft whimper escaped her. She hurt all over, everything felt wrong. Her body didn’t feel like her own and she felt too big and too small at the same time. Why was everything so loud.

“Where is Ms. Kynthia? I’m scared”

“Oh, dear, who is Kynthia? Amos, do you think that it could be her mother? Go out and look for her! Get your old ass out that door and find the poor woman before she dies of cold!”


Victor made the first move, he lunged but dive away as he got close, He came at Scar form below and grabbed him behind his front leg. The brute howled and tried to snap at Victor's hindquarters. But Victor was smaller and turned and kept his legs out of the wolf’s teeth. His mouth was filling with blood and he was on the verge of gaging before Scar shifted and he felt the man’s hands pull him off and toss him onto the floor.

“Dammit boy, you finally got a bite, how did it taste? You think that is enough to make you the Alpha of your pack?”
Victor shifted and righted himself.
“No, but it’s a start. I think I figured out the game you are playing. You aren’t keeping me here, I am. I won’t forgive myself and I pushed my wolf away.”
Scar glared at him, and for the first time, a genuine smile formed on the man's face.
“Well, well, well the pup figure it out, now what are you going to do about it boy?”
“First, I’m going to find my wolf and not my anger, then I will beat you, then I will find a way to earn Kynthia’s forgiveness.”
“Well, you have a few obstacles in your path. I’m not too proud to say that I am the least of your hurtles. But since you made some progress pup, here is a reward.”
Scar vanished for a moment, reappearing he dropped a doe on the floor of the cave. He shifted into his wolf and took the first bite of the deer. Shifting into his wolf victor lowered his head and maintained eye contact with Scar as he bit the deer’s throat and had his first solid meal in over a week.
“Do you want to know my side of how I and my mate came to be?”
The words traveled the space between them, Scars voice seemed distant and unfocused.
“I wasn’t always a wolf, she says I saved her from a man, but I was a man once too. I wasn’t the same man that she fears but in some ways he is still me. I meet her on the edge of the river, she was stunning, I wanted her and even though I had been warned of the tricks of the elves I didn’t care. I waded across the river only to be met with a fleeting glimpse of her robes in the trees.”
He sighed and sat on his haunches, his tail curling around him.
“I chased her every day for a year, one day I got upset and threw a rock into the woods. I wasn’t aiming at anything but I hit her and knocked her out. I heard her pain and I ran into the woods, she was there on the forest floor unconscious and I wanted her so bad. I let my beast take hold that day. When she awoke she was devastated, she cried and I tried to apologize. Her father arrived as I was standing over her, her tears falling and her womanhood still on my shaft. He cursed me, his staff cracked me across the face, giving me this scar. I wandered for years, maybe decades I don’t know. I couldn’t even speak to the other wolves, I was an outcast. I lost myself at some point, I became a wolf and lived as one, but I couldn’t die and I outlived even the oldest of the packs.”

Scar shifted into his human form, he sat crossed legged in front of the deer and reached his hand in ripping off a piece of meat and taking a bite before continuing.

“I don’t know when, but I started seeing a young elf in the woods, she didn’t look like the rest, to small, to petite, to human. I watched her grow, she didn’t fear me as a man or as a beast, when I would come near her she would smile and clap her hands to call me out of the tree line. Every time I would leave, and stay away for a few months, but I always returned. I watched her grow this way, she transformed into a beautiful woman, she aged quickly for an elf but she slowed once she reached maturity. One day she was in the woods, dancing around the trees and a man approached her. I couldn’t understand his words anymore but I could smell his lust. He lunged at her and I ended his life quickly. I don’t know what made me, I can’t even say it was really more than just a primal instinct driving me at that point. But the girl, she cried and hugged me, she told me she couldn't thank me enough. I regained some of myself in that moment. She had undone some of the curse laid on my soul so many years ago. Eventually she worked her own magic and allowed me to have two forms. It wasn’t until after I was able to find out that she was the same elf I had taken so many years ago. Her father had been ashamed of her and cursed her to a new life. He stripped her of some of her elvish heritage as punishment for giving herself to a man. She remembered it all, but she had forgiven me years ago. Her new life had taught her that pain is best to be let go and never to allow it to deny a future of happiness. Her endless attempts to bring me out of the wood was an attempt to heal my own scars. I decided then that I would devote myself too her. Eventually she did the same to me. We had many children and she found ways to pass the dual forms onto others. We would spend many years together, locked in an embrace that eventually transcended life. When we passed, we did so together, we simply walked from one side of the veil to the other, hand in hand. Our spirits were eternally bound then. We can maintain our own forms for a time, but when I am not here with you, I am with her.”

Scar went silent after that, he stood before Victor could speak or even fully understand the tale.

“I’ll be back tomorrow Pup, be ready with your wolf.”

Scar turned and took a step before vanishing into nothing. Victor sat there, his mouth full and his heart racing along with his mind.

 

[katalynn]

It happened so fast that Kynthia couldn't react fast enough. In fact, she stood there stunned for a second, processing the events that just happened. In the blizard, she caught the shadow picking up the kid. It could only be a human judging from the shadow, that is the only thing it could be. With that, for the first time in an extremely long time... She let the rage of the wolf take over. It all came flooding out at once when she lunged at the Coyote. He was watching the child and didn't see Kynthia coming at him. She grabbed him by the neck in her jaw and with a powerful twist, she threw him hard.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE HER!!! YOU FOOL! ONLY I CAN CARE FOR HER!!"

She lunged again at him, all her emotions came pouring out as she chased after him, barely grabbing him by the tail and tossed him again. Any normal creature would be dead with a broken neck at the first toss. Yet, she knew that this isn't a normal coyote and he can take a beating. This one though, all he did was cackle a laugh at her. Almost as if he is challenging her, asking if that is all she had to offer. With that, a beating is what she will give him!!

"THOSE HUMANS WILL KILL HER!!"

Somehow, she knew why the girl is sick, there is this unfamiliar sensation that kept pricking at her. It isn't entirely unfamiliar, more like long forgotten, however, the girl is connected to her. That sensation felt like it did when she herself first changed into the wolf. It scared her, made her weak and all Kynthia wanted to do at the time is sleep... Exactly like what the girl is going through. She can feel the child through the mark on her paw. It throbbed with her heartbeat, it called to the girl and it urged Kynthia to go to her.

"SHE IS MY PUP NOW! I REFUSE TO ALLOW ANOTHER THING BE TAKEN FROM ME!!"

She caught him again by the hind leg and causing him to yelp this time, again she threw him hard. Deep down inside, she is crying, once again hurt by the actions of another being. There is no indication at all that she is aware that she called the human child her pup.. Kynthia only had one thing on her mind and a ton of unanswered questions. More and more she just wanted to be left alone, so tired of everyone being against her.

"WHY DOES EVERYONE HATE ME SO MUCH? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS PUNISHMENT?!? WHY IS IT THAT ALL I CARE FOR GETS TAKEN FROM ME?"

He can hear the sadness in her voice, though she growled very deeply to hide. Yet, even in wolf form, tears were breaking through and she charged at the coyote again, however she didn't attack. This time, she gave him a very disappointed look, believing that he had betrayed her... Like everyone else in her, another high and mighty being has messed with her heart... More than anything she truly believed that she is being punished and she couldn't understand why.

"LEAVE ME BE!"

She snapped and gave one last lunge towards him, only to hear him smirk at her. With that one smirk, she charged at him in hopes to surprise him. However, he took off running and vanished into the snow. As she watched him take off, there is a fleeting moment where she seriously considered taking her life. Her mate is gone, she failed to protect the child... Blaming herself for everything and anything. There is nothing she can do right anymore. This thought of ending it all increased when she felt her mates heart again, wishing he was here with her now. He would know what to do... He understands humans far more than she is ever willing to understand.

The mark on her paw pulsed, catching her attention and much like her mates heart.. it urged towards the child. Reluctantly, she carefully went towards where she last saw the child and growled lowly when the humans shadow came towards her. Every fiber of her being wanted to attack this human, he took the child and Kynthia can smell her all over him. She snarled when the man came into view, however she remained low.

It wasn't easy for a dire wolf to look nonthreatening, but she did her best as she sniffed the air at him. No matter how much she tried, there is no hiding the sadness in her crystal blue eyes. Even the deep sounds coming from within her had a hint of sadness. Kynthia wanted to just run away, to leave the girl here.. To go and find a spot and fall into that eternal sleep. For some reason her paws wouldn't move away... She wanted the child back! Wanting her pup returned to her! The man would see that she is acting exactly like that, a wild mother in search for her child and there is something in her way. Which in turn caused Kynthia to feel utterly helpless...

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Amos walked into the gloom, the snow was still falling and now that he had seen those wolves fighting he wasn’t keen on being outside. But being inside with Tabitha if he didn’t try to find the girl’s mother was possibly worse. He approached where the girl had been found. The wolf’s growl stopped him in his tracks, but no attacked follow. He stepped closer and he could see her, a huge white beast, but those eyes weren’t that of any beast he had seen. They had more intelligence to them than they should. She pawed at the ground where the girl had been, but every time Amos came closer she would growl.

“Are you looking for her?”

He felt dumb for talking to an animal, she wouldn’t respond to him, she couldn’t even understand him. When she turned and stared at him and took a step toward him he took a step back. Did she answer him? Was she just going to eat him now? Should he run? The wolf walked toward him, it sniffed him, the growl seemed to confirm what he thought. He stepped aside, and pointed toward the cabin, he wasn’t turning his back on a wolf anytime soon but if she really understood they could walk to the cabin.

He pushed the door open for the wolf who had stopped at the entryway like it was waiting for an invitation. He heard Tabitha scream and the sound of a pot crash against the floor. He ran into behind the beast. Finding the wolf with her hackles up and her teeth bared at his wife, he ran in between them with his hands raised.

“Tabitha, honey, I think this wolf was looking for the kid, it didn’t attack me out there, so I don’t think it means any harm. But can we not throw things at it, those teeth aren’t just for show.”

Tabitha clung to him, her body hidden behind his, he felt her head nod and he sidestepped. She followed his lead. Giving the wolf a wide berth, they moved toward the fireplace on the other side of the room and let the creature pass to the child.




Rebecca was burning up, it felt like every part of her body was on fire, she whimpered, and tears tried to form but they seemed like they were burnt away by the flames in her body. She heard the woman taking care of her scream and she could smell wet fur. Whoever was in the room was afraid by the sounds she heard, but everything seemed miles away. She could feel something in her start to change, it felt like something new had found a place and was pushing its way out of her body.
“Ms. Kynthia….”




Victor sat there staring at the tawny wolf staring back at him. He turned his head to the right and the wolf did the same, he raised his hand and the wolf raised its paw. He smiled, and the wolf bared its teeth. He shifted into this wolf and the reflection in the water changed. He looked down at the human figure in the pool. A glow worm fell from the ceiling and broke the illusion, ripples distorting the image when the watered settled he stared down at the glowing eyes of a wolf. He lowered his head for a drink, this form was becoming second nature to him. But he never felt fully in control, the wolf’s instincts seem to drive him. Even now he wanted to hunt, he wanted to track, he wanted to fuck. He heard a sound from the upper chamber. It had been almost five days since scar left and he wasn’t sure if he was ready or not. If the man had appeared the next day as he promised Victor would have maybe given up, he could shift but he wasn’t fully a part of his wolf at that moment. Either he was all beast, or he couldn’t make use of the form. His human brain screamed to be released when his flesh transformed. He had made a breakthrough last night, he was dreaming of Kynthia, she was in trouble being attacked by something, he saw a small black pup running toward her then something pulled it away. He heard his mates wails as she attacked the mysterious figure, he had woken up snarling at the shadows and he felt something click inside him then. He hoped the dream was just his mind playing out its fear but something was wrong he could feel it. He spent the next three days shifting back and forth, he tried to call out to his wolf every time, seeing what the beast wanted Last night he had shifted in front of the pool, he was looking down at the reflection of the cave ceiling when he noticed that his reflection wasn’t his own body. He always reflected the other side, a wolf for his human eyes, his human face for his wolfs. No that is quite right, his face, both of them.
Walking into the room, he found it transformed. A circle of stones ranging in size from a fist to small boulders had formed in the center, on the edge of it Scar stood, his mate stood beside him. Her voice was even more beautiful when not being paired with her mates.

“Victor, something has changed, you are needed in the pack, a threat is taking advantage of your absence and we cannot allow that.”

Scar spoke next, his voice hard and deep after the lucid tones of hers.

“I hope your ready pup, you’ve made progress, you aren’t where you should be, but you will have to do. Step into the ring when you’re ready”

Victor watched as Scar shifted and stepped into the ring, he met the females eyes, she looks from him to the circle and smiled. Victor shifted as he leaped at Scar.

 

[katalynn]

Kynthia is on the edge of giving up entirely, she figured after she sees the kid, to see the humans that took Rebecca... She will leave with the intention of never being seen again. There is nothing here for her and the kid will be better off with her own kind. The human surprised her when he spoke and actually allowed her into his home. The female human startled Kynthia and at this point, she is trapped between the two humans. She kept expecting him to stab her in the back, to do anything bad to her from behind. Instead, he moved to defuse the situation.

Kynthia didn't trust being inside a humans home, it kept her guard up with all her nerves were jumpy. Then, if they decided to kill her right here and now, she doubted that she would stop them. For the first time in her life, she felt defeated and more lost than she has ever felt. There were times when she can sense Victor, his heart pounded within her. However, he felt so distant and she seriously had no idea how to find him. In truth, she didn't know if this heart beat is actually his or not anymore. This so called gift is meant to make her suffer after... For all she knew it's just a sensation that mimics a heart.

Once they allowed her to see the child, Kynthia instantly curled beside her, pulling her in close with a massive paw. The entire time, she was hoping that she was wrong about the kid. She is just a human child, there is no sense as why she would be changing. Then Kynthia recalled the same thing happening to Victor... There were no signs of him being a hybrid... There were no indication at all and they both are very much human. That crushed her all the more when realizing she can't sense her own kind. All she sees and smelled are humans... Yet, he changed and now this child...

Kynthia sighed as she held Rebecca close, all the while watching the humans and noticing their confusion. They were obviously scared and Kynthia couldn't blame them. However, if they see a human child shifting.... That will cause panic and who knows what they will do. If they see her shifting, it'll cause the same reaction, perhaps a worse reaction. Again, that overwhelming sense of being helpless too course. Victor would know what to do..... But he is gone... Perhaps even dead... Unable to trust her own emotions anymore...

She put her paw with the mark to Rebecca's forehead, putting her at ease and taking away most of the pain. More importantly, putting her to sleep. There is no doubt at all that she will shift while she slept, but at least for her first time, majority of pain won't be felt. Rebecca curled up against Kynthia, which most likely didn't help with the cold wet fur. At this point, she had no choice anymore... Rebecca isn't just sick and these humans are very confused. There is no choice..... The only problem is.... how will they react? What will happen once they see? Speaking their tongue is still difficult for her, ever since Victor shifted, speaking to him had gotten easier... .But, these humans are not him....

Eventually, she got up and went back outside, she couldn't trust being in here in the middle of a shift. They will panic and they will attack. At least outside, the night and the snow will provide a small amount of cover. Naturally, the old man chased after her, trying to call her back only to realize she didn't go very far. The figure of the wolfs form stopped and looked back at him and that figure started to change. The snow beating down on his face made it impossible for him to see the actual change. In a few seconds, she is in her half form, basically proving that she is the wolf.

Her heart is pounding with fear and she honestly didn't want to step into the light again. It took great effort for her to not run back into the darkness of the woods. Knowing the child is safe...... Then again, she didn't know if the child is really safe... When she shifts, they will see it all and most likely call her a demon... The sad truth is.. she needed to stay here for the child. Very slowly and with much caution, she stepped to where the man can see her again. His reaction is typical as he stepped backwards and fell onto his ass in the snow. Kynthia paused for a moment, showing no threat to him....

"Kynthia... the child needs me..."

With that, the man gathered himself up and with his own caution, brought her back into the house. The woman nearly had a heart attack when seeing a naked female walking in next to her husband. Then she caught the ears and tail, growing more confused than afraid. Once more, Kynthia went to lay down next to Rebecca, pulling a blanket over them both. She had to cover herself anyway so it seemed like the reasonable thing to do.

"Child... like me... She, not sick... just... changing...First change is hard on her.."

Her ears are lowered and her eyes held a mixture of defeat, being lost and fear of what they will do next. It seriously surprised her when they accepted her and took care of her and Rebecca. It took Rebecca three more days before she took on the full form of the wolf. On that day, the woman treated it like it was her new birthday and all of them celebrated. Kynthia still had her guard up the entire time, never fully trusting, though she did relax enough to enjoy their company. Through it all, she still wanted to end this life and her dreams didn't help much either. At the end of fourth day, Kynthia had to break the news them all.

"We have to go soon. The storm has lifted, you are better now.... Victor is still out there.. dead or alive.. I need to find him..."

Though she was still very tempted to leave Rebecca with the humans, they were no longer her people. They wouldn't be able to teach what she needs to learn now. They stayed one more night and left early the next morning. When they left, it started out perfectly fine, the day was beautiful with the sun shining bright on the fresh snow. However, they were being followed and towards the end of the day, the coyote struck again, attempting to take Rebecca away again. No matter how hard Kynthia fought, he still managed to beat her.. He was more determined this time and more agile than she is. He ended with a sneaky move to knock Kynthia out cold. Then the coyote left in the opposite direction of where Victor should be. Which meant when Kynthia wakes up... she will have to choose between the child and her mate... Although, Subconsciously, she had no will and no fight left to wake up this time...

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Rebecca was afraid and shifted back into her human form. The coyote startled and jumped back before growling at her.

“How did you wake up, you should be asleep lil one.”

Rebecca grabbed a branch and swung it at the mangy dog. He seemed surprised and didn’t move out of the way quick enough. She saw him roll into the underbrush. She waited for a moment and ran, shifting back into her wolf form. She was small, and the new form was odd, but she loved running in. She remembered when it happened the first time. Kynthia looked happy, almost proud as she hugged her. Amos and Tabitha were so excited, they threw a small party. Amos brought out some wine and Tabitha cooked an amazing meal. She had never eaten so well before. She had laughed as Kynthia seemed grossed out by the cooked meat and she couldn’t help rolling on the floor when Amos turned green when Kynthia brought a raw rabbit in for her to share. These memories drove her, she wanted to have a family like that. She had to get back to Kynthia, her mom could protect her. She realized the though, and she whimpered in her run, when had that happened? She saw Kynthia’s sleep form on the ground, the snow has started to cover her and she shifted mid-run.

“KYNTHIA!”

Things went dark and she heard the yipping of Coyote above her. Her next memory was being laid into Kynthia’s arms, a man standing over them.

Victor ran down the mountain, his paws barely catching ground before lifting off again. He had to rescue them. He couldn’t leave them to Coyote. He hadn’t felt this strong in his entire life. He circle was hell and he didn’t know how he had done it, but he was free now. He felt Kynthia’s heart she was in pain, he would fix that. He hit the forest floor and bounded through the trees, somehow, he felt closer to her than he had in almost two weeks. Scar had told him he would not be given another chance if he messed up and hurt her his life was forfeit. The white mark in the fur on his face was a reminder of his pledge to the Alphas. When he was in his human form the mark rested on his chest, a spiral scar that was cut into him.

He ran remembering the fight. He had made the first attack, scar lunged in return they clashed, teeth claws and furry. Victor tasted blood first, a well-placed bit on the shoulder of Scar. The older wolf returned the favor, he tore a mouthful from Victor’s side. They had circled each other, blood dripping from their wounds and their tongues lolling. Victor broke first, he charged, he watched as Scar braced for impact, he shifted at the last minute, wrapping his human arms around the wolfs throat and squeezing. Scar panicked, he hadn’t expected combat in both forms. Victor tightened his grip, Scar’s form changed, the man’s hand fought for purchase at the arm blocking his breathing, but it was too late. Victor held on for a second longer than needed, just to make sure the man wasn’t faking. He lifted scar up and laid him at the feet of his mate. She smiled down at him and touched his chest, the scar forming under her fingertips. She patted Scar on the chest and motioned toward the wall of boulders, for the first time Victor could see through them like they were never there.

He must have run for miles, but he was nearing her, he could smell her scent on the wind, but who was with here, wait for two. His mind raced, what was going on he picked up his pace. He found the two first, he watched as a wolf pup shifted into the girl he had rescued, Then he saw him, the coyote was behind her, he didn’t reach her quite in time and coyote did something to her, she fell as he lunged at the attacker.

“COYOTE! I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TRYING!”

Victor’s teeth ripped into Coyote’s neck. He tore a great chunk out of his throat. Coyote tried to yip, scream, anything but all that came was a weak gurgle.

“That’s right rat, I can wound you, that means I can kill you. Come near my mate or my Pack again and these woods will need a new trickster.”

He watched as Coyote limped into the brush, wounded but no less deadly than before. Turning his attention to the girl he lifted her and walked out of the tree line. He found Kynthia holding herself up weakly. Laying the girl into her arms, Victor looked down at her weakly.

“I missed you, I’m sorry I left, it was for mine and your good that I was taken.”

 

[katalynn]

There were some very odd sounds in the distance of her darkened world, one sounded small and it practically squeaked. Another one is deeper, filled with anger and then the quick yip of another creature. Although, none of these things were familiar to her and they sounded so distant, as if she is dreaming the whole thing. Yes, that had to be it.... It's just a dream... Nothing more than a dream.... However, there is something else that is wrong... She is freezing and couldn't get warm for the life of her. That's what ended up waking her from this strange dream.

That voice rang through her ears again and she didn't understand the words, didn't know the person behind the voice. When she opened her eyes, it ended up being the shock of her life!! A human male is standing over her and he is naked!! Also a human child is hugging her for some reason.. Then the real shock came crashing over when she realized her fur is gone! She isn't in her wolf form for some reason, instead she's in her original elf form. A form she hasn't been in for many, many years. In fact she couldn't remember the last time she took this form!!

Kynthia looked around in panic, having no idea where she is or how she got here. There is a strange prickling feeling that made her feel as if she is searching for something. What that something is though.... She had no idea... There is nothing out this far for her to be after... Her heart is pounding harder than it has in a very long time when she looked at the man standing there. She knew this man... this human... this human... hunter... kills her wolves!! What is he doing out here.. and with her no less?

"What... What did you.. Who.. are..."

Her voice is thick with the elvish accent and the language is long forgotten. Kynthia shook her head as her voice didn't sound like her own, she is used to growling and speaking as a wolf... Why is she human? The wolf within her is clawing at her very soul, begging to be set free.. to take on the form she is truly meant to be in... Her core burned and is on fire.. Much like what Rebecca had felt earlier. Only with Kynthia, something is preventing her from shifting... It didn't feel right.. This isn't the form she is meant to be in.. it's too dangerous!!

"Please.... don't hurt me... hunter..."

A sound from behind her caused her to jerk in fear, searching out what made that sound. A deep growl escaped her lips when the human child hugged her tighter... Kynthia didn't like that hug, didn't like these humans being near her. Is this hunter training this child to hunt? Why is it hugging her then? It ended up being too much for her and Kynthia jerked away from the human child. That obviously confused Rebecca and she tried reaching out to hug Kynthia again, not understanding what is wrong.

Victor however, can sense that she isn't herself.. not with just what he is seeing in her actions. But through their bond, he can feel the strength of her wolf crying out to be free. Feel it clawing at his mate for understanding, sensing that her wolf feels trapped for some reason. All her actions indicated that she has the instincts of the wolf from before he shot her. An almost feral vibe is pouring off her and she is acting as if she is trapped in a corner.

When Kynthia made the attempt to take off running.. She tried to run like the wolf, as if she hadn't been on two legs before. All she knew is that she had to get away from this particular human... He hunts down her kind... She has been messing his hunts and camp for years and in her eyes, he is upset with her for it. Unfortunately, she couldn't run very fast, or very far due to being frozen and lost!

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Victor put his hand on Rebecca’s shoulder, the girl was hurt, he shared her pain. Something was wrong with Kynthia, she looked at him like she didn’t know him. Hunter…. He had feared this day, but he never thought it would come so soon. She must be rejecting him and anything that he had brought into her life. He couldn’t really blame her. He chewed on his lip, he didn’t know what do with his mate trying to claw her way away from him. Rebecca’s voice broke his thoughts.

“She can’t shift.”

“What?”

“Something is wrong with her, she doesn’t know us, Victor I’m scared.”

The child clung to him, he wasn’t sure why she was with Kynthia or even why she was able to shift now. So much had happened while he was away, what was he going to do? He hugged the child.

“It seems a lot has happened since I was away, but we never got introduced properly and I’m afraid it will have to wait a bit longer.”

He let Rebecca go, taking a step toward Kynthia, he kept his hands down with his palms out. Trying to show her he means her no harm.

“Kynthia, my name is Victor, I’m your friend.”

The chose friend since if she truly didn’t know him he figured it would be easier to accept than mate or Alpha. She lunged at him, her elven form luckily lacked the impact of her wolf form and her nails raked across his chest only leaving a slight red scratch. He didn’t want to hurt her but if she was going to attack him how would he help her? He approached her again as she growled and attempted to run from him he jumped her. Pinning her under his weight, she got a lucky shot with her flailing legs and he felt his stomach lurch. He hoped he was still intact, but the pain searing his groin didn’t give him much hope. He gulped down his pain and wrapped his arms around her neck, he applied careful pressure to cut off her airway. Her body went limp under him and he cried into her hair.

“I’m sorry.”

“What did you DO!”

Rebecca seemed worried about what he was doing and ran her small hands hitting at his arm. He looked up at the girl.

“Don’t worry, she’s just asleep, she wasn’t going to be easy to do anything within her state. We need to get her somewhere we can look after her. I don’t want to take her back to the pack right now.”

The girl looked up at him, her eyes confused and scared. He lifted Kynthia and showed Rebecca that she was breathing albeit slowly. The girl was quiet and spoke softly.

“We can maybe go back to the place we stayed. The couple there were very nice to us, they took care of me when I was sick.”

“Humans? Kynthia stayed with humans? Well, a lot has happened, hasn’t it! Let’s go then, anywhere is better than in the snow.”

Rebecca leads the way, talking and asking questions along the way, Victor kept Kynthia pressed against him, trying to keep the wind off her. He answered the child’s questions when he could and tried to keep her mind off things.
They stepped out of the woods after what seemed like an eternity. Victor wasn’t familiar with this village or the three-people standing outside of the hut Rebecca was leading them too. They all turned and watched as Victor approached, he heard the woman yell and they ran to meet them. The woman was hugging Rebecca and showering the girl with kisses and questions. The elderly man, whom Victor assumed was the woman’s husband and the younger man who was carrying a bag approached him with suspicion in their eyes. Rebecca announcing who he was helped cut some of their gazes, but they didn’t fully trust him, he was ok with that. That meant they cared his mate and Rebecca.

“Kynthia was attacked and she doesn’t remember me or the girl anymore.”

“My names Rebecca!”

“Sorry, me or Rebecca.” Victor smiled at the silliness of their introduction.
The younger man examined her, his eyes traveling over her body, any other man would have been under Victor’s fist but he was professional if he had any interest he wasn’t showing it. But he must have sensed something from Victor and looked up from his examination.

“Don’t worry about me Victor, when I feel the urge to be with someone, she wouldn’t be my type anyway.”

Victor didn’t know quite what to say, he had never encountered anyone that would prefer a man over a woman if that was what the man meant. But he didn’t feel that Kynthia’s modesty was to be concerned with this one at least. He finished his visual examination and directed the group into the house. He apologized to the elderly couple for the inconvenience and was promptly accepted their offer to help. Victor held Kynthia by the fire while the couple and the doctor set up a makeshift area to care for her. The house was modest and only had the one bed, but another was quickly set up in the corner. The man, who introduced himself and the others to Victor, offered a pair of trousers, he claimed he didn’t want Victor to be cold, but Victor thought it had more to do with modesty than anything. Laying his mate down on the bed, he quickly dressed and found a chair to sit near her. She was murmuring and she seemed restless. The doctor, who Amos had introduced as Charles, rested his hand on Victor's shoulder.

“I wanted to talk to you, her throat has some bruising, I assume that was from whatever did this to her?”

“No, that was me, I didn’t know how else to control her, she was so afraid, and she wouldn’t let me near her.”

“It’s ok, doctors restrain patients for a lot of reasons, I wish I had been there, I could have given her something to sleep and saved you and her the added pain. But what is done is done and, well what comes next might be a bit hard for you.”
The doctor looked older at that moment like somehow the weight of his profession had dulled his blonde hair and weathered his fair skin. He shoulders sagged under the weight of his pack as he pulled it onto his lap. The bag was made of some kind of hide, inside were a variety of bottles and plant clippings and a large book that looked to have been rebound time and time again.

“My family has been doctors for a long time, we grow up knowing what we will be, and we train till the day we leave with our elders. On the day we leave they give us this book, mainly it’s a breakdown of treatments and diseases and suggestions of how to deal with them. We add to it as we learn on our travels and each of us has unique ways of dealing with an ailment. When we head back to the family lands we spend a few weeks transcribing what each of the family members has found.”

He lifted his tomb out of the bag, laying it down on the bed beside Kynthia, he opened it to a page, a drawing of a young girl her eyes wide and her back to a corner was scribbled onto the page. His fingers touched the girls face as one would after seeing a lost loved one after years. Like how Victor had longed to touch Kynthia.

“This was Abigail, I was called to a town a few miles from here, she had been seen playing in the woods and had been attacked by a dog of some kind. After her mind was broken. She couldn’t remember anything about her family and acted terrified of everything. By the time I got to her, she had been locked in a room for the families’ safety for three days, the smell was horrendous. I worked with her for a week before I made any headway, I found a combination of herbs and using a technique my uncle brought back from the lands to the far east to coax her memories out. I will never forget seeing her mother sob on the floor with the girl, it may be my proudest moment as a doctor.”

Victor listen to the man speak, he seemed sad still somehow and he wondered why.

“What happened to her?”

Charles seemed to be in thought before noticing the question, he answered with pain in his voice.

“She died, a secondary infection of some kind, it attacked her brain and she passed a few weeks after I was able to bring her back.”

The man dropped his head, and Victor didn’t press for more, something was troubling him, and he had already helped make Kynthia comfortable. Victor placed a consoling hand on his back.

“I told you this because from the description of her symptoms before I arrived it seems Kynthia is affected by the same thing. Do you know of anything that might help me cure her? Anything she encountered? Amos told me of her unique physiology, sorry jargon, her other form, so I’m not sure how that helps or hurts yet. I still find it amazing that creatures like her and Rebecca exist, but I trust Amos and Tabitha, they have been good friends to me and my family. Are you like them also, sorry that was rude, I forget my manners sometimes. My family always said I lack any bedside manner.”

Charles laughed, and Victor felt a bond forming between them. He was a kind man and his intelligence was interesting. But his attention needs to be on Kynthia and not new friends.

“It’s alright, I am like them, but I didn’t always know that you could say I was a late bloomer. Kynthia was attacked by something that doesn’t quite belong in the world. I think he or it did something to her. Maybe a spell or something. I just know she didn’t recognize me after.”

Victor balled his fist and gritted his teeth, a low growl escaping his lips “Coyote”

“Coyote? They look like dogs, don’t they? I wonder if this creature was what attacked Abigail? Look, I’m not fully understanding what is going on, or what you three are. But I think I can help, but after the last instance I went home, and my Uncle told me that sometimes it helps to have a loved one go under the hypnosis, that’s the technique he learned. Basically, I use the herbs and some suggestive techniques to put your mind in an open state. I can suggest things and apparently from his notes, it seems that the patients experience a vivid shared dream of sorts.”

Charles lifted himself off the chair, he placed his hand on top of Victors for a moment before smiling and stepping away. He gave Victor a small vial of clear liquid.

“This will keep her asleep for a few hours per dose, it’s very strong so use it sparingly, just tilt her head back and pour a bit into her mouth. I have to gather a few herbs for the rest of the treatment, and that will take a day or so. If you want to allow me to treat her I will start now.”

Victor nodded his head and Charles stepped through the door, he said something to the elderly couple, but Victor was caught up in his own head and wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at Kynthia when Rebecca came over to him, she was rubbing her eyes sleepily and leaned against him.

“Are you tired, Rebecca?”

“Uh-huh, can I sleep with mommy?”

Victor was surprised by the child, was she tired or had more happened while he was away? He lifted the child onto his lap, she leaned against his chest.

“I think that will be ok, I will be here beside you the whole time.”

Laying her down next to Kynthia, he watched the girl curl into her breast and quickly fall asleep. He tilted her head back, his thumb pressed against her lips, he used it to open her mouth, her tongue wet under his touch. He opened the vial with his mouth, tipping the liquid into her mouth he gave her the first dose. Letting her mouth closed, he saw the reflex of her throat draw the liquid down. He capped the vial and kissed her softly before collapsing into his chair.

He heard Amos and Tabitha quietly talking and climbing into bed, he would have to replay them somehow for all this.

 

[katalynn]

There are two sides tearing at Kynthia's soul and one of those sides is the wolf. This wolf does know who he is, in fact she knows too much and has been silently growing furious. From the moment Victor shot her with that arrow, her world has been spiraling out of control. She is furious with Kynthia for taking on a mate... Not just any mate... but a hunter... The same hunter that has been taking wolves for years. The wolf blames him for seducing Kynthia, for tricking her into mating with him. She has been perfectly fine on her own for hundreds of years... Then he comes along... takes over as if it is the most natural thing for him to do.

Her wolf is furious that the elder Alpha had died and she wasn't there to protect him. This hunter was suppose to protect, instead he returns with the Alpha dead.... For all she knew, he is the one that killed the Elder. Yet, Kynthia didn't question him, never questioned how he truly died. The wolf didn't know if the Elder honestly told him to be the Alpha of the pack. She knew nothing about Victor or his intentions.... He runs the pack and they follow him blindly. She has been their protector for years, she was there when the Elder was just a pup.... Now she feels as if she had no power.

He brought a human to the pack... A human to her den... How did he know he wasn't being followed by other hunters? Even now, her pack could be in danger.. possibly even dead... Kynthia however, didn't stay with the pack. Instead, she went after the very same hunter that obviously punished her for running off. Again, she didn't need permission to go out on a run and it made the wolf within furious that he punished her for it. Never again will she allow him to touch her like that! If he ever touches her again! The wolf never forgets and this anger has been festering from the start.

It was all Kynthia's fault... Everything that has happened is her fault. Her fault for falling in love with this hunter... her fault for allowing a human child the gift of the wolf. It's all her doing and the coyote only made it possible for the wolf to take complete control of the situation. Kynthia didn't deserve the power of the wolf anymore and the wolf will keep the elf asleep. Sadly, the coyote also did something to prevent her from shifting. Preventing her from taking full control over the body.... Another thing she blamed on Kynthia, another thing to make the wolf furious.

She can smell the humans surrounding her, some of those scents were familiar.... causing a deep growl to emerge while the body sleeps. Again, Kynthia brought the wolf here to these humans... all for a human child! The wolf didn't understand what is wrong with her elf counter part. Did she honestly need the humans that badly? After all they had done to her kind? After all they had done to her pack? Is Kynthia that desperate to be accepted that she will trust and forgive so easily?

If it wasn't for the wolf counter part... Kynthia would have ran straight into that hunters arms... Then no doubt mated with him.. forgiving him instantly for raping her. He didn't deserve her forgiveness and the wolf will make sure he never gets it! All the wolf had to do is wait out whatever this coyote did, shift to take over the body and leave this place for good!

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Victor watched his mate struggle in her sleep, he worried about Rebecca, but it seemed she was safe enough. Kynthia never pushed her out of the bed or seemed to register she was there, but the night did well for the young girl. She need Kynthia in a way that he hadn’t expected. He still didn’t understand how she gained the power to shift, but somehow it had happened and now she was theirs. If “they” were going to be anything now. He was tired and had only slept a few minutes at a time throughout the night. Amos and Tabitha had taken Rebecca out that morning, promising the girl a day of shopping and a few chores around town, she seemed thrilled with the idea and hugged Victor before heading off. Tabitha had given Victor some food before they left, but he hadn’t touched it, his stomach wasn’t ready for food just yet. Charles had stopped by early in the morning. He looked like he had been out in the woods all night, but he held a white flower in his hand, the smell of it filled the room and he seemed relieved to have found some. He crushed the entire plant into a vial, it released a foul-smelling brown liquid that Charles began to pour various liquids into. He held the larger vial up to the light, swirling the concoction.

“The flower has a toxin in it, it’s similar to pipe tobacco, but this flower has some special properties. It only blooms at night and can be difficult to find. We could use other sources, but this one works best.”

He repeated the process, adding ingredients and watching them swirl around. Victor watched in amazement, he had little to no experience with medicine the way Charles practiced it. He knew a few herbs that were useful to the hunters but nothing that would touch the knowledge of Charles. Finally, it seemed Charles had the mixture to his liking, he sat the vial onto a small device that he struck a flame to. The liquid quickly roiled from the heat. Charles sat back in his seat, his hands dangling to his side.

“Sorry Victor, I’m exhausted, it was a long night, how did you sleep?”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, I kind of expected that, but I can help with that, give this liquid an hour or so and it will be ready, I can’t say it will be pleasant for you. I’m going to rest my eyes for a moment.”

The man closed his eyes and was quickly off to sleep, Victor was a bit jealous, but a sound somewhere between a cry and growl drew his attention back to Kynthia. Her hands were stretched out and her body stiffened, she seemed to want to shift but something was holding her back. He shifted from his chair beside her bed and onto the edge, placing his hand on her face, his fingers gently stroking her hair away from her face. He laid his head beside hers his hand slowly running through her hair.

“I’m coming my love, I hope you want me to save you this time.”

Charles woke him, the daylight was a bit duller and the doctor had a small gleam in his eyes.

“It’s ready.”

“Let’s do it then.”

“You know, you’re not the first man to say that to me,” Charles said smiling.

Victor sat up in bed, he smiled despite the situation, his heart was soaring. Hope, simple and pure, he could help her this way. Charles directed him to lay beside Kynthia, his feet next to her head and his head resting beside hers. Victor laced his fingers in hers, she tried to pull away but he tightened his grip. She wasn’t getting away from him this time. Charles brought the vial over, he pulled a small dose out of the vial and dripped it onto Kynthia’s lips, before repeating the process to Victor. He thought it seemed like a small dose compared to how much the doctor had made. His mind started to fuzz, he couldn’t focus his eyes and the room seemed to ascend away from him, no he was sinking the dark walls of his mind rushing past him as he fell from the room. He heard Charles say something, but it was lost to the sound of the wind rushing past him. His world went black and he felt something cold and hard on his back. His whole body felt off, he couldn’t feel his own weight, it was a disorienting feeling. A wet tongue lapped his face and left a slimy trail over it. Opening his eyes, a large tawny dire wolf was standing beside him. He recognized it immediately. He ruffled the beast’s fur between his ears. It was a bit weird seeing your inner wolf on the outside of your body, kind of like seeing a painting of yourself without clothes on. You know what it looks like but sometimes it surprises you what you look like to others.

“So this is what I look like, you're mangier than I thought”

The wolf turned and kicked some leaves back at him before strutting off to sniff the area, finding a large tree to claim as his. Victor looked around, massive trees filled the skyline, their topmost branches seemingly hundreds of feet away. He heard the sounds of leaves rustling and a soft giggle from behind him. He twisted his body from his seat on the forest floor to see a small girl rubbing the belly of his wolf form, who was actively enthralled by her touch and his tail was wagging a hundred miles a minute.

 

[katalynn]

Kynthia's inner wolf is extremely restless and growing impatient with the current situation. There is something blocking her, something keeping the physical form asleep. She keeps trying to shift with this increasing need to run from the human scents. The wolf needed to run hard and fast, to get deeper into the mountains. She didn't feel safe anymore and felt the need to find a new home far from humans.... Most importantly, far from this Hunter!!

The little girl that Kynthia kept hidden from the world is the first one to notice the energy shift in the realm. A strange energy within the area she was playing in. Naturally she had to go investigate this strange and very out of place energy. Hopefully before the wolf discovers it, which honestly won't take long at all! The wolf is never happy with any changes to her realm. It took the little girl no time at all to find the source and once she saw Victor, she smiled softly. However, she kept to the shadows to watch him and his wolf for a few moments.

It wasn't that she's afraid of them, not entirely anyway..... Yet, she didn't trust them either. None comes here ever, it's always been just her, the wolf and the elf.... This had to be a trick... Though, tricks around here never happen either. The wolf hates trickery and never plays them on the little one. The tawny wolf sniffed the girl's hiding spot out before she could run off. That first lick of his warm tongue made her giggle and she knew right then that they were really here.

The little one looked exactly like Kynthia's true elven form, only much younger. Perhaps 12ish, her hair appeared to be more silver than white and her eyes are of the purest blue than he's ever seen. She held all the innocence that a child is meant to have while she played with his wolf. However, in the far distance a howl filled the air right when the little girl was about to speak. Instead of speaking though, she ran to the entrance of the cave to look outside. With eyes wide and filled with fear, she looked back towards Victor...

"Starfyre is unhappy that you are here. She is coming right now. I have to go, she will not be pleased seeing me here with you..."

The child began to take off, only to turn around and smile sweetly at him. Without any hesitation, she ran back to him and gave him a small hug.

"The Elves once called me Aspen... They had named the wolf Starfyre.. Though, she may not like you calling her by that name..."

With that, Aspen took off running back outside into the forest and unaware of the tawny wolf following. Shortly after, Starfyre howled again, this time sounding much closer. When she sniffed the air, she growled deeply after catching the scent of the child nearby. That growl grew even deeper when the Hunters scent filled her nose. This made her travel faster in the direction of his scent.

"HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY REALM... HUNTER!"

Her voice carried in the wind that swirled around him for a moment. When she arrived at his location, one last growl escaped and this one he can feel it vibrating into the ground under his feet. Starfyre paced out in the open grove, glaring at him with pure golden eyes. Her body moved with the smoothness of the mist, fur flicking in the air like blue flames. He'll notice that she is much bigger than she is in outside world.

"You are not permitted to be here.. Nor are you permitted to speak with the child! I will not allow you to corrupt her the way you corrupted the elf!"

She let out another growl and baring her teeth as a strong gust of energy pulls him out into the openness with her. For now she showed no intentions of attacking him, behind the rage in her eyes, he can see a hint of sadness and confusion.

"What have you done to my body? Why can I not shift into my true form? What did you humans do to block me? Why do you imprison me? ANSWER ME HUNTER!"

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Victor watched as Aspen fled into the wilds, he nodded at his wolf and his other self bounded after her. It wasn’t long before he could hear the wolf, he knew they would have to deal with this side of his mate sometime, but he wasn’t quite prepared for her ferocity when she appeared. She was massive, easily making him feel small in comparison, but she fit in this world of massive trees. She was beautiful even with her teeth bared.

“I’ve done nothing to you, you couldn’t shift before I ever touched you. What have you done to Kynthia, Starfyre, why won’t you let her talk to me.”

Victor took a step toward the wolf, his hand outstretched to her face. He ignored the threatening display, she was part of Kynthia and he knew she loved him, even if she was angry with him.

“You know that both sides of me love you in all your forms, I know you're angry, but you’re going to tear yourself apart. I’m here to stay, my name isn’t Hunter, I am Victor and I am your mate and your Alpha! Come with me and let me fix this.”


The tawny wolf ran behind Aspen, he was enjoying the feeling of the wind rushing past him. His world was not as lush as this one. He had spent many years behind a great wall, it surrounded his entire world. He had lived in a small forest, he had chased things and heard great commotions from the other side of the wall. One day on his thousands of treks around the wall, he found a damaged section, he had been able to slowly dig his way through and the next thing he knew he was on the outside, Kynthia had been beautiful in both her forms. Their first run with the leaves and ground under his paws had been so amazing. This run reminded him of that, the girl was fast, unnaturally so for one her size. He could outpace her, but somehow, she always appeared in front of him again.

“Aspen, why are the three of you? Where is Kynthia? Why is Starfyre so mad? How do you feel?

 

[katalynn]

"You are no Alpha of me.. Alpha's protect those that follow.. They protect their mate and do not harm them... You have brought pain and danger in our lives. Only I can protect us."

Starfyre glared at him hard as he had the nerve to move closer to her, by all right she should push him out of this realm. She knew that she couldn't hurt him physically in here, perhaps she couldn't push him out either. Though, she wanted to try and if it didn't work, she would trap him here. That option wasn't easy either as he didn't belong here and it would hurt Kynthia in the end.

"You believe that you can 'fix' this? All of this is your fault... Hunter... You brought the elf out... You corrupted her and now too many humans know of us! These humans will tell others... More hunters will come for us... There is no fixing that! They are probably on their way now to take her body while she sleeps..."

Starfyre kept her distance from him and if he got too close, she would give a warning push at him with a gust of power. She knew that he is trying to close in order to trick her somehow.

"The pack is possibly dead because she decided you were more important... They are alone and we are stuck here. Because of you.. her choices have brought more danger in her path. She gave a HUMAN child the power of the wolf... Humans now know of that child... They will tell others.. More humans will hunt us because of what we are... Kynthia especially will be hunted for being an elf.... You can not fix that!"

Starfyre never took her eyes off of him and it's clear that she's hiding the buried emotions behind the anger. She had a lot of pent up hurt and refused to let it out. There is more fear than anything else though, fear for her life, fear of him and most of all, fear of being trapped again....

"I have protected Kynthia since she was a child.. I have kept her safe since the day her parents were dragged away... I kept her safe when the humans attacked the elves... Kept her safe from you for a long time. She got shot twice since meeting you... You hurt her when those hunters captured her... You can not protect her when you cause pain..."

*******

Aspen loved running with the wolf, it reminded her of all the times she ran with Starfyre . Lately though, Starfyre has been on edge and doesn't want to play like she used to. That made Aspen lonely at times, but she also understands that Starfyre is protecting her. Aspen didn't answer the tawny wolf right away, kept running until she came up to a cliff side. It overlooked a set of waterfalls and a river down below in a massive canyon.

"I created this place for us. Starfyre is my only friend.. I created it for her. One day humans attacked my home.. Starfyre told me I would be safe here. I've been here ever since. Kynthia only came here recently, Starfyre is upset with her."

Aspen picked up a bunch of yellow and white flowers in the area and sat down at the edge of the cliff. She remained quiet for a moment, almost fearful of saying too much, though she can sense that Starfyre is distracted. Slowly, she started to tie the flowers together to make a circle.

"Starfyre feels betrayed. We haven't been with humans... since that day.... Humans are dangerous.. Starfyre just wants to keep us safe and she can't. She is hurting.... is lost and helpless. I think it's my fault... I can't make her happy anymore..."

Aspen wiped a tear and put on a smile to hide behind while she finished the flower ring. When she is done securing the last flower, she slipped the ring over the wolfs head and around his neck. The only question she didn't answer is about Kynthia's location. It wasn't her place to tell him and if she did, Starfyre would be upset with her. Though, she did glance towards a darker area of the forest.

"It's okay though, Starfyre says that she is working on finding a safe place for us again. She promised that I can play with her again soon.... She promised to take care of me."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Starfyre growled and snapped at him, she wouldn’t let her get close to him, her power pushing back at him. Victor didn’t want to push her, he needed a way in but her words were biting harder than her fangs.

“Kynthia is safe with me! You can’t protect the whole pack when your mind is like this! Victor waved his hands around him, look Starfyre, your world is lonely, let me be with you. The world outside is dangerous but better than locking yourself in here! The pack is alive, they will be more of us, OUR pack will continue to grow, we will have pups in the future, you will be able to guard the new generation.”

Victor took a few steps toward the wolf, she wasn’t attacking, does that mean she doesn’t want to or that she couldn’t? He was close now, he reached out his hand and touched her neck, running his hand from the back of her ear down her neck.

“You have always protected Aspen and Kynthia, let me help you now, you know I would never hurt her, surely you can sense the changes and my vows.”

Victor touched the spiral scar on his chest.

“My oath, on pain of death and denial of my place as an Alpha in the afterlife, to wander alone for all eternity. Packless.”

He let his eyes drop, the memory heavy, the oath had formed its line in his head as the Alpha had scared his skin. He spoke it to Starfyre.

“My oath is to the pack, to protect in life and to guide in death. My oath is to my mate, to remain true and to protect her against all threats. My oath is to my love, to honor its virtue and correct my wrongs. My oath is to myself, to stand when others wouldn’t to be the last thing the Packs enemies see and to give everything if asked. My oath is to Kynthia, to love and hold her through to every sunrise.”

That had been all he promised the Alphas, but he added one now.

“My oath is to love and protect all parts of Kynthia, to cherish them as they are one and WE are one.”

He leaned his head against hers, he let his hand rub behind her ears.

“Look, you don’t have to trust me right away, but you can’t punish yourself. You, Kynthia, Aspen your body needs to eat, let her wake up, your pup needs you.”




The tawny wolf watched as the girl made the ring of flowers, he smiled his wolfy smile when she dropped it over his head. Giving her a sloppy kiss on the cheek to thank her. He didn’t like that she was upset, her tears hurt as much as Kynthias would have. He leaned his large head against her, letting the salty drops fall into his fur.

“Aspen, I love you, you know I am part Human, right? Humans are dangerous, but we aren’t all one thing.”

He looked at her with his eyes, even his wolf the green of them shone through, Victor wondered why Kynthia had three forms when he had two, and they seemed so disconnected. Maybe if he hadn’t been with the Alphas he would have been like them, his wolf and his human half disconnected. He didn’t know what to think, it was true both forms drew off unique parts of his personality, but they weren’t separate, and he thought it would feel lonely to be split in your own mind.

“Hey, how about a game, hide and seek. You find a good place to hide and I will come to find you.?”

He turned his eyes toward the darkness that Aspen seemed to think of when she avoids the question about Kynthia.

 

[katalynn]

His voice and the things he said had distracted Starfyre to some extent, oddly she did find his voice to be soothing. She did back away at first, growling deeply as he reached out to pet her. Though, she was focused on the things he's saying and trying to process those words. She snapped at his first touch, yet she didn't pull away either. On one hand, it reminded her the first time he petted her and how good it felt then. Somehow, that seemed so long ago and she had forgotten about it.

"Do you honestly believe that it will be that easy to win me over? Hunter? I am not hiding. Nor I am punishing myself, all I want to do is find a safe den. I no longer feel safe.. I need to run further north... away from here.. It appears that I am imprisoned for some reason. I would be long gone by now if I could shift... "

She growled again and flinched away when he proceeded to pet her ears, leaving him with no doubts that it is effecting her. Only when she realized that it did feel good, did she pull away from him. Not an aggressive pull, but enough to put another couple feet of distance between them.

"Yes, I do sense a change within you... Yet, you hurt me.. you punished me... When I needed you most.. you punished me... I can not forgive that so easily.. I've been alone for too long that is all I know... That is all I want.. and need.."

She growled when he touched her again, although this growl didn't seem nearly as threatening. Indicating that she does actually like the touches, however, she isn't about to submit to him so easily.

"You also brought home a human child... a human to the den. How do you not know hunters were watching? They could have followed you.. a beast with a human child... Humans find that as a threat. They could have followed you to the den."

Her breathing started to pick up more at the thought of humans finding the den. Dreading the idea of going back to an empty den and the wolves slaughtered. Starfyre didn't believe him on the surface, yet he can see that flicker in her eyes that wanted to believe his words.

"That coyote brought more humans into our lives.... He forced us to show the humans what we are... what I am. Elves are long forgotten, I am the last that I know of.... We are a breed that every slaver and hunter wishes to capture. I have been able to remain hidden up until that damn coyote... How... How will you protect me from hunters?"

The fear in her voice increased and he could hear a hint of his Kynthia slipping into there. Almost as if she watching through the wolf's eyes. Then the wolf shook her head and lightly pulled away from his touch.

"I can't trust you... You make everything so confusing and because of you I feel too much. I do not like these human emotions.. Why are you here? Do you like tormenting me? If I wake.. No... I can not allow that. ."

He can hear the fear just as much as see it in her actions, fear of being touched. The aggression has settled down some. Yet, the things he had said really hit her in a way she didn't expect. That only made things worse on her, not trusting these emotions, nor the things that he said. However, she can see that he speaks the truth and she knew those markings were from her creators. He would notice that she has a similar marking in the fur of her hide leg. Although, she's never actually seen them before, only know that they brought her to life.

"I can not wake up.. Something keeps our body asleep. Besides, If you are here, that means our bodies are unprotected. What if we wake up in a cage? We are surrounded by humans, I can smell them all around me. Humans like to cage our kind.. enslave us."


*************

Aspen smiled and giggled at the lick to her cheek while blushing at the things he said. Then she frowned slightly when thinking of what he said about humans. That tiny bit he spoke of brought back a trickle of painful memories.

"I know you are like me... I am not afraid of humans... I miss them actually. I miss the friends that I used to have. Starfyre told me they were... they got lost in the humans raids. I don't remember much after that. Starfyre keeps her secrets from me to protect me."

Aspen lowered her eyes and tried to stop the tears from falling onto his fur. What few did, she wiped away while combing her fingers through his thick fur, without hesitation, she hugged him tightly as more tears fell. When he looked into her eyes, he can easily see how lonely this little one actually is. She wasn't able to be the kid that she should have been, having to grow up far to quickly. She is well beyond her years as a child and yet she still yearns to hold onto that innocent youth.

"I love hide and seek! I haven't play it in so long! Hope you are ready..."

Aspen grew excited and stood up looking off in the distance, already knowing where she'll go. He had the ability to sniff her out, which is something she can't do. He had all the advantage, although she used to play this game with Skyfyre and had her own tricks. Also, Aspen knew the realm where he didn't which is to her advantage. She waited until he turned his back and closed his eyes before she ran off into the woods. A few feet beyond the trees, she wiped some mud on her arms and legs in order to hide her scent more. She zig zagged in a few ares, circled other areas to throw her scent off in different directions. Soon she found a hiding spot in a hole underneath a boulder.