Page 51 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

Unable to resist the urge, I scratch her behind the ears before quickly standing up and backing away from her, unsure how she might react.

To my secret delight, she follows, pressing her head back against my hand.

Smiling to myself, I repeat the action, my other hand joining as well so I can scratch behind both her ears at the same time.

After a few moments, she pulls away, shaking out her fur. Jumping up on the bed, she dangles her front paws off the end of it and lolls her tongue out of her mouth in what I can only imagine to be a self-satisfied smirk.

Spotting the shirt partially hidden beneath her tail, I let out a sigh. Of course she’s smug, her lack of thumbs gives her the perfect excuse to not assist me in packing up our meager belongings strewn about the room.

*Whoops,* Vannaria mutters in our mind. *Sorry, Aren. I was a bit distracted and forgot to pack before we switched.*

*It would seem so,* I grumble in response, bending to pick up our bag so that I can begin to fill it. *I hope the two of you enjoyed yourselves, at least.*

*We did. I’m not sure what all memories you might have access to, but we admitted our growing feelings for each other. One thing led to another and–*

*Please stop. I don’t wish to know what all the two of you did together,* I say, cutting her off as I scoop up Mariane’s sleep pants.

*Suit yourself.* An image of her shrugging flashes in our mind before I feel her presence retreating.

Shaking my head, I continue gathering up the rest of our belongings with yellow eyes trailing me as I move about the room. Once I’m sure I have everything packed away and properly secured, I do as Rosaline had requested and slam the heel of my boot into the floorboards three times.

Mariane leaps to her feet, hackles raised and lips instinctively curled into a snarl.

"Apologies, Mariane,” I mutter, cursing myself for not warning her. “That was the signal I was meant to use to inform Rosaline we were ready to leave. When it’s safe for us to come down, she’ll come up and let us know.”

Settling back down on the bed, she lets out an annoyed huff.

It only takes a few moments before I hear the sound of approaching footsteps and a quiet knock on the door follows soon after. After a quick glance at Mariane, I open it, revealing a smiling Rosaline with a large satchel slung over her shoulder.

“Oh.” The devilkin gives me a quick once-over, her smiling widening. “Well, hello again, Aren.”

I bow my head in greeting. “Good afternoon, Rosaline. Vannaria sends her regards, but we lost track of time and are in a bit of a hurry to leave. She’s the sentimental sort, as I’m sure you’ve realized, and didn’t want to prolong our departure further with an endless goodbye to you both.”

“I completely understand.” She giggles softly, slipping the satchel off her shoulder and holding it out to me. “PaMa is the same way. They’ve been hiding in the kitchens, refusing to come out until after you both have left.”

A soft thud behind me draws my attention. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Mariane walking towards us, her eyes glued to the bag in my hands.

Rosaline snorts, shaking her head at the wolf now licking her lips. “That food is for your journey, not right now. If you need a snack before you leave, you can snag something from the bakery on your way out.” Turning back to me, she says, “PaMa was able to whip up a couple of healing tonics for you both as well. It’s not much, but it’s the best they could do with what little ingredients they were able to find at the sad excuse for an apothecary down the road.”

I clutch the bag a bit closer, a wave of gratitude washing over me. “Thank you, Rosaline. And thank Slivo for us as well. Your kindness and hospitality both have been greatly appreciated.”

“Ah, none of that.” She lightly punches me on the shoulder. “You’re family, and family looks out for one another. And whenever you happen to pass back through here we’ll be more than happy to have you stay with us again. And feed you.” She glances down at Mariane. “That goes for the both of you.”

Letting out a low whine, Mariane lifts a paw and taps it on Rosaline’s knee.

Rosaline smiles, bending down to her level and patting her on the shoulders. “You’re welcome, Amara.”

I smile as well, our heart warming at the sight. I’m about to respond to her kind words, when the sound of a faint whinny from the stables below catches my attention. Mariane must hear it too, because her head whips towards the sound before her eyes lock onto mine and she lets out a low growl.

“What is it?” the devilkin asks, her brows furrowing.

Slinging the satchel over one shoulder and Vannaria’s bow over the other, I say, “If I had to guess, trouble.”

Another whinny has Mariane bolting out the door.

Brushing past Rosaline, I follow, taking the stairs two at a time in an attempt to catch up to the wolf. I make it to the bottom just in time to see her bursting through the front door and out onto the busy street outside. Cursing under my breath, I sprint after her, praying the sight of an unaccompanied wolf in the middle of town doesn’t raise an alarm.

Catching the door before it has time to swing closed, I slip through it and exit the bakery. A string of apologies flies from my lips when I nearly crash into a group of young women whispering to one another.