Page 36 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

“A wolf ey?” Slivo grimaces. “Ye, seems like dey do. Dis friend gon’ be covered in fur when ye bring ‘er back with ye?”

“That’s the plan. I’ll be trading places with Aren as well. Had a bit of trouble back in Brenhill.” I shrug casually. “Daring escape after rescuing a fair maiden and such. You know how it is.”

They bark out a laugh. “Eh, ye ain’t changed a bit, have ye?”

“Not at all, my old friend. Not. At. All.”

Chapter Sixteen

Mariane

Nervously shifting from foot to foot, I tighten my grip on Obsidian’s reins. What in the hells is taking Vannaria so long? She’d promised it would only take a few moments. How hard is it to find a tavern? An inn? Anywhere that isn’t as exposed as sitting atop a horse and attempting to hide behind the only few trees on the road directly outside of town. Adaman alone would be hard to hide, I’m currently sitting atop a beast nearly as tall as the damned trees are.

I’m about to give up on waiting and head into town myself, when Adaman whinnies, drawing my attention to a figure I can barely make out through the darkness. My hand instinctually goes to my swords, even though there is no need. Adaman’s second excited whinny is proof enough of who’s approaching our makeshift hiding place.

“What took you so long?” I ask, releasing my white-knuckle grip on my sword hilt so I can swing down off Obsidian’s back. “You said it would only be a few moments.”

“Apologies.” They lower their hood, revealing that it's Aren, not Vannaria, that’s returned. “Seems that Vannaria not only had gotten a bit turned around, but our friend had moved. It took a bit longer to find them than she’d originally expected.”

My brows furrow, a bit of unease settling in my gut. “Your friend? Vannaria didn’t mention she had a friend in town?” I glance back in the direction we’d come from. “Is that why she was so keen on coming here?”

Noticing my obvious tension, Aren holds up their hands and quietly explains, “I assure you, our friend is trustworthy. They apparently now run a bakery here in town with their adopted daughter. We have a long standing promise that if either of us were to run into trouble we could find shelter with the other. Vannaria had hoped they were still here to honor that promise, knowing taverns aren’t the safest place for you to be right now.”

Exhaling a shaky breath, I nod. “Right. I’m sorry. I’m just a bit on edge after…”

As I let my words trail off, they nod. “Understandable. We are as well, which is why we have a request to make.” They give me a sheepish smile. “Would you be so kind as to take on your wolven form until we make it to our friend’s shop?”

Already having predicted this request, I hand the reins of both horses to them with a sigh. “I had a feeling that would be the smartest idea. Should I also assume that’s why you’re here now?”

“It is.” They nod again, turning their back to me. “I hope you don’t mind. And don’t worry, I’ll be returning control to Vannaria as soon as we’re back at their shop.”

Chuckling, I start unbuckling my armor. “Of course I don’t mind, Aren. You don’t have to switch back solely for my benefit.” After draping the soft leather over Adaman’s saddle, I tug my shirt over my head, my nipples instantly hardening as they're exposed to the cool air around us. “I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel as if Vannaria is the only one of you I care about. That wasn’t my intention.”

While I take off my boots, their head lowers and I see them fiddling with the reins they’re holding. “It’s alright, Rayne and I understand. It would make sense Vannaria is who you’re most comfortable with, you’ve spent the most time with her.”

I frown, pausing with my trousers halfway down my thighs. “I’m not uncomfortable around any of you.” Tugging them the rest of the way off, I step around Aren so I’m in their line of sight, fully aware of my own nudity. “Have I done something to make you feel otherwise?”

They suck in a breath, eyes flickering over my exposed skin before looking away, their cheeks darkening. “No. You haven’t.”

“Good.” I smile at the obvious effect my current state of undress is having on them. “Regardless of who is in control when I shift back, that person owes me a massage.”

Without waiting for a response, I drop down to my hands and knees, fur already beginning to sprout on my skin. My muscles, still sore from the previous fight, burn as they stretch, my bones creaking as they painfully elongate and rearrange themselves. A loud gasp fills the air, the last sound my human vocal chords make before I lose the ability to speak.

When the shift is over, I whimper softly, my breaths coming in ragged as I pant through the worst of the initial pain.

Aren kneels in front of me, a look of concern on their face. “I’m so sorry, Mariane. We’ll find some other way soon, I promise. We won’t ask you to endure this any more than necessary.”

I nod, smacking my lips to get used to the feel of my new mouth.

After gathering up my discarded clothing, Aren begins leading the horses towards town. When I move to follow, a soft breeze rustles my fur, reminding me of my time running through the forest. When I’d still lived with my tribe. When I’d still had my magic and the change hadn’t hurt. When I’d been free.

A strange sense of calm washes over me, my tense muscles relaxing slightly.

I trot after the trio. Soon. I’ll be back home soon and then… Then I can plan my next move. My gaze lifts to Aren, their features much easier to make out in the darkness with my wolven eyes. Our next move.

Whatever this budding relationship between us may be, I have no intentions of letting them go. Even if it means I have to stay on the run for the rest of my life. For some strange reason, I truly believe I’d be fine with that as long as they were by my side. But perhaps…

What if we won’t have to keep running?