492- The Hunt Between the Pines
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
It had been a long time since I had felt as good as I did in that moment. Teaching the children had been much better than I thought it could be. Connecting with what I loved, teaching them a little of our history, seeing how interested they were and how they asked questions.
I smiled, all silly and satisfied.
My only fear was never being able to feel as happy teaching humans as I felt teaching the little wolf cubs. There would be no stories about centuries-old night wolves, about the origin of the artifacts my father had studied and searched for his entire life. I would need to pretend that this part didn't exist or, worse yet, that it was nothing more than a myth.
I had no idea if I would be capable of that, however.
Believing in something without knowing the truth was one thing. But now, knowing the reality and pretending it simply didn't exist, was another.
It had been so extraordinarily good that I agreed to spend the entire day with Aurelka and Lana, wandering around the village. We went to the lake, then to the center, and ended the night at Anca's bar, drinking a few liters of buttered beer.
I tripped over a pile of leaves, catching my foot on a root. I grabbed onto the tree trunk, preventing the fall. I started laughing to myself, amused by my alcohol-clouded mind.
Aurelka and Lana stayed at the bar—the night wouldn't end anytime soon for those two; they had an endless battery, energy to spare.
I straightened myself out and resumed walking. A breeze blew some strands of my hair across my face, blocking my vision. I tossed them back with my fingertips.
If I were completely honest with myself, the last thing I wanted to do was go home and sleep, because, in truth, I wanted Anton so viscerally that it was frightening.
I let out a heavy sigh and bit my lips. My body burned, longing for the wolf.
I felt the moisture soak my panties, sticking them to my skin. My hairs stood on end as a wave of desire hit me.
I flattened a hand over my belly and kept my steps steady toward Edric and Lunara's house. As eager as I was, I wouldn't show up at his house in the middle of the night like a she-wolf in heat, begging for attention.
Besides, Anton could be... accompanied.
The mere thought of that possibility was enough to inflame me with rage. My she-wolf was quite strange when it came to him. She still didn't accept that he didn't belong to us, that he was a free man.
I rolled my eyes.
"All free, young, and single. Each one can do whatever they want," I whispered, talking to myself.
I heard a crack in the middle of the forest, like a twig breaking under a footstep. I bristled, adjusting my posture and becoming more alert.
If the Merchants appeared, I would be easy prey. I needed to concentrate, expel the alcohol from my system, and calculate my movements—only then would I have any chance against them.
I looked around, stopping my walk. I inhaled, absorbing the scents. Pine, damp earth, the sweet smell of the flowers blooming nearby... wild jasmine.
I furrowed my brow, confused.
It smelled like Anton, the same soft touch his brothers had, but different.
I resumed walking, focused on the path ahead.
Another noise to the right, a few trees away. I stopped and took a deep breath, calming my racing heart.
That was confirmation that I was being followed by someone. I still wasn't sure if it was something good or bad, but I knew that, regardless of who it was, they wanted me to detect their presence—so I would see that as a good thing.
I took a few more steps without looking to the sides, trying to pretend everything was normal, although I felt like prey being hunted.
The night was beautiful, warm, and pleasant. The moon shone brightly, illuminating parts of the path. There was a breeze that appeared now and then, shaking the leaves and carrying a touch of the occult.
A growl resonated, making my heart leap in my chest.
I wasn't being pursued by a man, but by an animal. I kept my muscles relaxed and my posture straight as I scanned the path, preparing to run.
I flared my nostrils, inhaling, trying to detect the scent of my pursuer.
He snorted, blowing his breath hard, as if impatient.
I started running, without waiting another second.
I ran with focus, jumping over some high roots that would have made me trip and fall. I weaved around some trunks, as if the maneuver could slow down the wolf that was closely following me. I could hear his paws scratching the dry leaves, although he was extremely silent most of the time.
I felt the warm breath near me, close enough to sway my hair.
My heart was racing, my breathing was heavy, and every small muscle in my body was rigid. The fear of dying and the desperation to stay alive consumed me with decadence.
I turned my neck to the side, trying to see my pursuer. I spotted grayish fur, and then his scent hit me hard.
Fresh pine and wild jasmine.
I couldn't control the smile that curved my lips. My heart raced even faster, fear replaced by anxiety.
I increased my pace, giving it my all to run.
The excitement between my legs intensified and my body heated up, as if it could spontaneously combust at any moment.
The wolf growled, catching my scent.
I bit my cheeks, not removing the smile from my lips.
I made a sharp left turn, sliding my fingertips along the rough trunk of a tree. The wolf skidded but didn't lose his composure, remaining steady behind me.
I thought about trying to climb a tree, but I wouldn't make it up in time, not before he brought me down. I veered right, weaving around the trunks and trying to increase the distance, but it seemed impossible—he was too skilled.
I looked to the side, trying to locate him. I felt my foot catch on a root. I lost my balance and flew forward, falling flat on my stomach onto the ground. The fall was cushioned by the thick layer of leaves.
I felt the pain of the impact but didn't focus on it. I turned onto my back and dragged myself away.
The wolf emerged from between the trees. I gasped, stunned.
The enormous animal appeared like a mist, exactly like the frightening and enigmatic figure that usually appeared in human fairy tale books.
His gray fur was mixed with some white tones. His long snout showed his fangs as he stared at me, approaching slowly and growling. His eyes glowed. One golden, the other emerald green. They exuded absolute power.
His enormous paws crushed the ground but seemed not even to touch it, as if he were floating, emitting no sound. He walked with sovereignty, radiating power.