Chapter 50 HIT THE ROAD
Edeline
Once her meeting was done, we’d leave. I wasn’t going to let him hurt me any further or deal with the fallout of our past decisions.
"Hey there, wolves! Gather up, say hello, and get ready to hit the road."
Hopefully, she’d let me take charge again before anything risky came up.
…
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees beneath the moonlit sky. The air felt heavy, hinting at rain. My wolf was practically vibrating with excitement to meet her mate in his true form, despite my efforts to stay calm and not rush things. It seemed she always managed to get what she wanted, one way or another.
She made a soft noise to acknowledge his presence and let him know he could come closer. I couldn’t shake a twinge of unease in the back of my mind. Why was he even here? But my wolf didn’t share my concerns. She was practically buzzing with anticipation, eager to meet her mate’s wolf.
He emerged from the shadows, and let me tell you, his wolf was impressive. Big and commanding, an adult male with an air of authority, though he was accompanied by a younger partner. We were much smaller by comparison. He crouched low, his belly brushing the soft ground, and his paws stretched out in front of him. Slowly, he shuffled toward her, using his hind legs to push himself along. He stretched and shook out his fur, taking his time as he moved closer.
When he reached her, he leaned in and nudged her playfully, their bodies bumping together as he took in her scent. She remained still, allowing him to make the introductions. He turned, rubbing his muzzle gently against her scruff and sniffing deeply. She responded in kind, savoring the rugged, earthy scent he carried—something I’d always associated with sandalwood and the outdoors.
She relaxed, submitting to his stronger presence. As he sniffed her belly and nuzzled into her fur, he even checked between her legs, searching for any signs of another male.
There were none.
The wolf seemed pleased, letting out deep, contented rumbles from his chest. Her face reappeared in his mind as she playfully licked his snout, only to find blood on her own. She realized it was from a fresh kill, a deer. He took his time cleaning the blood from her fur with his tongue, while she continued to tidy up after her impressive hunt.
After a while, he lay on the ground, gazing up at the sky. It wasn’t a gesture of submission, but more a way to let her press her scent into him and catch his own. Her nose traced along his body as she casually rubbed her scent over him.
Then, she did something unexpected. She stretched right in front of him, her backside close to his head, bending down until her rump was high and her tail was lifted. She was inviting him in.
A pang of panic shot through me as I silently urged her to stop, realizing this was happening much sooner than I had anticipated. They had just met. Even when we were younger, we hadn’t had much interaction in our wolf forms. But she didn’t listen. He approached her from behind, gently placing his paws under her belly as he mounted her, preparing to join with her. This was a far cry from what was supposed to happen. In our world, you didn’t go in the opposite direction. That was unheard of.
I hadn't reached my heat yet, so it turns out I couldn’t conceive. But even if I could, getting pregnant in wolf form wasn’t possible. My virtue was safe, but my wolf’s wasn’t. Other wolves in the area would certainly be aware of that.
Just as he was about to make his move, I shoved my wolf aside, her frustration echoing through me. My fur retreated into my pores as my skin shifted and bones cracked, reshaping into my human form. With a weary sigh, I collapsed onto the ground. There I lay, Percival’s wolf’s fur brushing against the backs of my thighs, trying to calm myself. I felt my cheeks flush with tension. I knew his wolf wouldn’t dare act while I was human.
It was a strange shift in dynamics. There’s a bond between you and your human self, and a separate one between the wolves. When one is in wolf form and the other in human, it’s more of a sign of respect—a different kind of connection. The wolf always harbors a deep sense of love and protection towards their mate’s human side.
Percival’s wolf let out a disappointed whine, realizing his chance with her had slipped away. I chuckled softly, lying on my stomach, concealing myself. I heard the familiar sound of bones shifting behind me, signaling that he was changing back. Moments later, Percival settled next to me, lounging on his stomach.
My cheeks warmed as his skin brushed against mine. The electric charge between us was palpable, drawing us closer. I met his gaze, and he couldn’t help but smirk slightly as he cleared his throat.
“Sorry about that... he just—” he began, but I cut him off.
“Yeah, it’s fine. She was being stubborn and wouldn’t let me shift,” I admitted, feeling a flush of embarrassment. “But you really shouldn’t be here, Percival.” I looked away, focusing on the clovers beneath me. I propped myself up on my elbows, and as I did, my breasts brushed lightly against the grass.
He sighed deeply. “I know, Edeline. But honestly, I don’t think anyone’s gonna come looking for us tonight. Everyone’s too wrapped up in their own sadness.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “There’s more than one reason you shouldn’t be here! Don’t you have a pup to worry about? I appreciate your interest, but being around you just makes everything more complicated. Do you really want me to spend my nights crying myself to sleep because the wolf I’m meant to be with is the one wolf I can’t have?” My voice trembled with incredulity.