Red 1

A voice was lifted up in song, it’s haunting melody filling up the room with it’s tune. The owner of that beautiful voice sat in front of her vanity, brushing out her knee length hair. Her hair was gorgeous, luxurious silk of platinum strands that glinted with a hint of blue when sunlight shined upon it. It was hair like no one had ever seen before, an exotic touch to an already beautiful face. It was this hair that made the girl known throughout all the nearby villages, and everywhere she went, people would call out to her, addressing her by her hair, “Platina.”

The girl frowned at her reflection, watching as she carefully stroked the brush through her hair for the one-hundredth time. How she hated that nickname! Day in and day out, even strangers would call out that name, choosing to ignore her insistence at being called her true name. “Lenneth.” With a sigh she set down her brush, and began seperating her hair into three parts. Winding the hair up and over each other, she began the task of braiding her thick mane into a manageable hairstyle.

A knock sounded at her door, and Lenneth watched it’s reflection, seeing it open to reveal her mother standing there. Her mother was a beautiful woman, with hair as golden as the sun, a complete contrast to Lenneth’s silver locks. They were like night and day in appearance, her mother blond and tanned, a healthy flush to her skin while Lenneth was silver and pale, the only hint of color to her skin when she blushed.

“Mother?” Lenneth turned, still fiddling with her braid. “Is something the matter?”

Her mother, whose name was Freya, nervously wrung her hands together, a worried look in her eyes. “It’s your grandfather Odin…He’s fallen ill.”

“Ill…?” The braid fell out of her hands, Lenneth rising to her feet in concern. “Is it serious?”

“The doctors don’t know…” Freya sighed, a heavy drawn out sound. “It’ll be touch and go for a while…” She broke off with a sob, and Lenneth came towards her mother, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting hug. Freya let out a sad smile, patting her daughter’s back. “I’m sorry….I shouldn’t get upset until we have more news…it’s just…”

“No mother. Don’t apologize.” Lenneth shook her head, squeezing her mother’s shoulder. “You have a right to be upset.”

“Thank you Lenneth.” Freya pulled out of her arms.

“Do you need me to do anything?” She asked eager to be of help.

Her mother nodded. “Yes….I have prepared a basket of goodies for your grandfather. He’s too ill to take care of himself, and so I sought to make him several meals. I want you to take it to him.”

“Me…?” Lenneth’s eyes widened in surprised. “But he lives out in the middle of the woods!”

“I know….but right now you are the only one who can do this….Your father needs me at the store….and who knows where your sisters have gone off to.” explained Freya.

“But mother! There are….there are creatures in the woods…” She shivered. “Wolves….!”

“Now you’re a smart girl.” admonished Freya. “You’ll know better than to fall prey to a nasty old wolf!”

“But still….what if one tried something…I don’t think I am strong enough to fight one off.” Lenneth said.

“A wolf wouldn’t dare try to force a girl from any of the surroundings villages.” Freya replied. “They know every huntsmen and able bodied man would track them down for a lynching if that were to happen!”

“But…”

“And no daughter of mine would be foolish enough to say yes to a wolf….no matter how charming and handsome they are!” added Freya, hands on her hips.

“Yes mother….you’re right.” agreed Lenneth.

Freya sighed in relief. Privately, like all mothers did, she worried about her daughters, worried about them falling prey to a wolf’s silver tongue. She was most especially worried about her middle aged child, knowing Lenneth did not have a suitor to keep her away from the temptation of wolves. “Come…it’s best you leave while it’s still early…” She gestured for her daughter to follow her, and dutifully Lenneth did so. They stepped out into the hallway, where a large basket sat waiting on a table.

“It’s all packed and ready to go. Hmm…it’s a long trip, and I’d feel better if you stayed over night at your grandfathers.” ~For both your sakes.~ Freya thought to herself.

“Yes mother….” Lenneth paused by the hallway closet, reaching for a scarlet red cloak. Freya made an annoyed sound, watching as her daughter settled the cloak over her shoulders, the length of it falling down to her ankles.

“I wish you wouldn’t wear that garish thing. It clashes horrible with your hair and skin.” commented Freya.

“But mother I quite like it.” replied Lenneth, tying the strings around her neck. “Grandma made it for me before she died….”

“Your grandmother was colorblind….” said Freya. “She had to be if she thought red would look good on you.” Lenneth just smiled in response, pulling the hood up over her head. It cast her face in shadows, hiding her hair completely.

“Now go straight to your grandfathers.” advised Freya. “No dilly dallying along the way, you hear?”

“Yes mother. I won’t let myself get distracted.” She paused by the table to pick up the heavy basket, sliding her one arm through it’s handle. “Goodbye mother.” Lenneth paused to give Freya a quick kiss on her cheek, before turning to leave the house.

It was a cool day, a breeze almost blew back her hood, but she caught it, hastily jamming it back in place. If luck was on her side, she wouldn’t encounter anyone who would call out that hated nickname of hers. Lenneth almost got her wish, having traversed to the edge of town, to the spot where the forest began creeping up on civilization when it happened.

“Hey Platina!!” A familiar voice called out, and she paused a look of annoyance on her face.

~Maybe if I ignore him he’ll go away…~ She thought hopefully, taking another step forward. Suddenly she was choking, the cloak’s tie digging into her throat as someone cruelly grabbed hold of the back of her hood, yanking her backwards. She stumbled, crying out and heard laughter.

“Where you going Platina?!” She could breathe better, the young blond man having let go of her hood.

“Hello Lucian…” She said dully, rubbing at her reddened neck. “How did you know it was me…?”

“That moth mottled cloak of yours is a dead giveaway.” answered Lucian. “Besides…I saw you leave your house!”

“You were following me?!” Lenneth angrily demanded, staring at him.

“Maybe for a little bit…” replied Lucian. “I was curious to see what you were up to.” He looked expectantly at her basket. “Is that what I think it is?” His hand reach out to grab it from her, and she slapped at it, stepping out of reach.

“It’s not for you. It’s for my grandfather!” snapped Lenneth.

“I knew it! It’s a basket of goodies!” Lucian said gleefully. “Can I have a taste?”

“No!!”

“Aw…” Lucian pouted at her, but she was immune to his begging looks. Then he did something he almost never, ever did. “Please?”

“Lucian no!” Lenneth said firmly.

“Shucks…” He stuck his hands into his pants pocket, looking down at the ground. Then he brightened and said, “Shall I come along with you, Platina? It’s a big ole place, these scary woods…filled with monsters!”

“Monsters?” Her voice wavered, and she cursed herself for sounding scared. Lucian nodded, but she laughed. “Lucian, my grandfather has lived in these woods for over forty years, and not once did he encounter a monster. I think you’re full of it.”

“But they exist! And it’s known for a fact that wolves prowl around the forest.” Lucian said. “I could come with you and protect you!”

Her confidence faltered, but she shook her head no. “No….wolves know better then to come near any of us from the village. I’ll be perfectly safe.”

“Fine…” Lucian said in his you’ll be sorry voice. “But don’t blame me if a wolf comes along to gobble you up, red hood and all!” His blue eyes angry, he stormed away from her, rushing to join a gang of boys who were playing card games nearby. Lenneth sighed, readjusting her hood, and resumed her walk.

As she strolled forward, the cobblestones at her feet slowly gave way to grass and dirt, the pathway soon turning into a packed dirt trail. The sounds of her village— the chatter of the people, the sounds of carts traveling along the roads, all faded away. Why even the great waterwheel turning in place could not be heard, and soon only the noise of the forest was heard. Birds singing, and twigs snapping underfoot. Even the lonely cry of some animal she could not identify. She found the sounds of the wood to be a calming influence, a quiet contrast to the hubble and bubble of village life.

A smile on her face, Lenneth began skipping down the road, a song bubbling out from her lips. She traveled this way for some time, until her toe stubbed against a stone in the path, and she stumbled, her song ending in a startled cry. Her arms windmilled about, seeking to grab onto something to stop her fall, but there was nothing there. Down she went, sprawling awkwardly in the dirt. “Ow…” muttered Lenneth, checking to make sure her foot was all right. A dull throb of pain warned her against standing immediately, and with a sigh she slumped backwards, laying on the ground, eyes staring up at the foliage of the trees.

“I say miss….that was a rather nasty fall you took…” A man’s voice intruded on her thoughts, and startled, Lenneth went to sit up. Even here, deep in the woods, the sun was bright, obscuring her vision of the man. She brought up a hand to her face, trying to shield her eyes from the sun. She could just make out that he was thin, with dark hair, and he was standing over her. She blushed, embarrassed to think some stranger had heard her singing, and even worse seen her take that fall. She self consciously reached forward to make sure her skirt was in place, not wanting to further humiliate herself by flashing her panties at the stranger.

“Are you all right?” Lenneth realized he had been talking to her for quite some time, and was now bending over her in concern.

“I’m fine!” She said hastily, and waved her hands, inadvertently shoving him away from her. “Sorry! Sorry!” She apologized, blushing deeper.

He ignored her actions, holding out a hand to her. “Can you stand?”

“I think so…” She gratefully took his hand, allowing the man to pull her to her feet. A brief flicker of pain from her foot caused her to let out a whimper, and she glanced down in worry at her foot.

“Oh dear…that sounds troublesome…” He knelt down, and began pulling up her skirt.

“Wait a minute!” protested Lenneth, alarmed.

“Shh…” He said, and revealed her leg to him, hands sliding down her stocking clad skin. She shivered at the touch, watching as the man pulled off her shoe. “Where does it hurt…? Here?” He applied light pressure to her foot. “Or here…” And then that touch was on her ankle, causing her to cry out once more.

“Hmm…it doesn’t look broken just sprained…” He said, and began pulling at his shirt, ripping out long strands of the dark blue material. She watched as he began winding cloth around her foot, bandaging it tightly. “This should help you to tolerate the pain…I only wish I had some medicine on me to dull your senses.”

“It’s…it’s fine!” She said, blushing as he stood up. She got her first good look at the man, seeing he was good looking, a bit on the thin side, but handsome and healthy. He wore spectacles on his face, and behind those glasses were beautiful purple colored eyes, a rare color she had almost never seen except in her older sister’s eyes. His hair was chocolate brown, what she could see of it anyway. Most of his head was covered by a gray felt hat, with only a few strands escaping it’s confines. “Thank you.” She added politely.

“It’s nothing.” He smiled at her, and she couldn’t help mimicking his expression. “Can you walk on it now…?”

“I’ll try…” Lenneth said, and took a step forward. The man’s hands were solicitously by her sides, ready to catch her should she fall. The pain wasn’t as bad this time, though she avoided putting most of her weight on her foot, favoring her right leg. She’d have to walk with a limp but she could manage all the same. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and turned towards the stranger. “Thanks again….this should help me get to where I’m going…”

“And that is?” He questioned politely.

“To my grandfather’s house. He lives in the woods you see.” She nodded at the basket that lay on it’s side on the ground. “I’m delivering him some of mother’s best cooked meals.”

“Ah….a basket of goodies for dear old granddad. Quite nice of you…” He bent to retrieve the basket for her, and she took it gratefully from him. “Thank you….sir?”

“How silly of me. We haven’t been introduced. I’m Lezard Valeth…” He held out his hand to her, and she took it.

“Lenneth Valkyrie.”

“Lenneth….what a beautiful name….” He brought her hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it. With a blush she pulled back her hand, and watched as he reached up for his hat, sweeping down low in a bow as he removed it. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

A gasp issued out of Lenneth, and her hands tightened on the basket, blue eyes growing wide as two prominent brown ears sprouted up from his head. “You’re a….you’re a wolf!!”

“Why yes….yes I am…” He smiled, it was calm and without menace, but to the young girl it was a terrifying look he gave her. She stepped backwards, intent on fleeing, and almost fell down when he took a step towards her. “Is something the matter dear?” His hands caught at her waist, keeping her upright, even as she held back a scream.

“Let go of me!!” Lenneth demanded, struggling wildly. She shoved her basket into his chest, and he gave her a quizzical look as they fought with one another. “I mean it….let go….!”

“Please stop miss…I mean you no harm…” said Lezard, attempting to hold onto the struggling girl. Lenneth stubbornly ignored him, opening her mouth to scream, the sound loud and piercing, startling nearby animals. It was a useless gesture and she knew that, knew there would be no one around for miles to hear them, and yet she couldn’t stop herself, so terrified was she of the wolf that had her in his clutches.

Lezard winced, his delicate ears twitching, protesting the sound of Lenneth screaming in his face. Her cries drowned out his voice, the girl refusing to be silenced. So he did the only thing he could think to do. He kissed her. She struggled at first, squirming against him, her screams muffled against his mouth. Lezard only meant to quiet her, but upon touching his lips to hers, something happened. A spark of electricity traded between them, the girl softening against him, and she gasped into his mouth. He took advantage of that gasp, thrusting his tongue into her mouth, eagerly stroking his tongue against hers.

Lenneth made a startled sound, not sure of what to make of Lezard’s tongue in her mouth. It was an odd but not entirely unpleasant sensation. He caressed the tip of it along hers, and she trembled in his arms, confused. She could feel his hands on her hips, pulling her tight against him, the basket trapped between their bodies. At last he released her mouth, pulling apart, breathing heavily. She too was gasping for air, eyes wide as she stared at him. She desperately wanted to ask him what that was, but already knew…it had been her first kiss….stolen by a mangy wolf!!

“Lenneth…” His purple eyes darkened with some unknown emotion, and he reached up with one hand to touch her cheek. He smiled and caressed her skin, and she stared back at him nervously. He began easing back her hood, and she saw his eyes widen in appreciation as he got a better look at her face. “You’re beautiful…” He whispered to her, leaning in for another kiss.

“Stop…” She begged, but he snuck another chaste kiss, murmuring “You don’t really mean that.” before kissing her again, deeper this time. His fingers were touching her neck, seeking to untie the strings at the hollow of her throat.

“Please don’t…” Lenneth murmured, feeling him kiss along her jaw line.

“Can’t you feel it…?” Lezard asked, and his nimble fingers had the knot untied, the red cloak falling to the ground, crumpling at her feet. Neither one was looking at the cloak, as Lezard pressed against her, nearly crushing her basket. He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, sighing happily. “You smell like lilies….” He told her, his tongue darting out to lick at her neck. “Of springtime….”

“Feel what?” She asked instead, ignoring what he said about her scent.

“The connection between us…” Lezard whispered against her neck, breath tickling her. “Can you not smell me too…?” It was a curious thing to ask, and she frowned, shaking her head. She gaped at him as Lezard tilted back his head, offering his throat to her. “My scent….you should know it…”

A bit bemused, Lenneth sniffed at his skin, getting a whiff of manly musk and something else….something that made her think of home, of safety. “Yes…” Lezard smiled. “You recognize it don’t you…” He touched her hair, stroking it gently, a sound almost like a purr coming from his throat.

“What does it mean?” asked Lenneth, still breathing deeply of him.

“It means we are a matched pair.” answered Lezard.

“Oh…?” She didn’t understand, and he could see the confusion in her eyes.

“Wolves mate for life.” He explained. “Our scents attract each other to us…and we are always searching for our mates…” He nuzzled his nose against her neck, wanting to cover himself in her scent. “Normally we can scent each other out from a distance…I guess because you are human it’s not as strong…” He kissed her on the pulse point of her neck, finding it fluttering fast like a bird beating it’s wings. “Wolves can go a lifetime without finding their chosen one…”

“Mate…?” Lenneth pulled back from him, giving him an odd look. “I’m not your mate!”

“Your scent says otherwise!” Lezard smiled, still petting her hair.

She shook her head, trying to throw off his hand. “I don’t care what it….or you say! I can’t be the mate of a wolf….I won’t!”

“What’s so bad about wolves?” demanded Lezard, eyes flashing with annoyance. “We are good providers, know how to hunt and are excellent lovers.”

“You cheat, steal and kidnap girls from villages!” retorted Lenneth, and she would have stepped back if not for his hands on her.

“I do no such thing….and if any of my brethren have….well….they are giving other wolves a bad name.” Lezard said, feeling insulted.

“Is that true….?” asked Lenneth, wanting to believe in him.

“I give you my most solemn word.” Lezard said.

“Well…..” Lenneth reluctantly conceded. “I believe you….”

“We wolves are very much like you humans.” added Lezard. “Except for the unfairly prosecuted part.”

“And the ears…” pointed out Lenneth. “They make you stand out in a crowd…”

“A genetic birth defect, nothing more.” answered Lezard. “Of course it is handy to have a second pair of ears…but you’ll find there is nothing magical or sinister about them…” His ears twitched, and he saw her glance up at them. “Would you like to touch them?”

“Um….”

“Go on…” he urged with a smile, and saw her bite down on her lower lip. “Touch them Lenneth…” He said beseechingly. He watched, eyes dancing with amusement as she slowly reached up with her hands, tentatively taking hold of his ears.

“They’re fuzzy….” She commented with a smile, rubbing her fingers along the backs of them. Lezard let out a sigh, closing his eyes, enjoying the feel of her caressing his ears. “And soft…” She added, and peered closer at the ears. She found they were the same shade of brown as his hair, but the tips of them were pure white. She touched them now, rubbing the ends with her fingers and heard Lezard let out a low moan. The sound caused her to draw back her hands, looking worried. “Did I hurt you…?”

“Just the opposite…” He said, voice tight with emotion. “You….you could touch them again….”

“Hmm….I better not…” Lenneth said, uncomfortable with the look in his eyes.

“You’re right…I should be touching you!” Lezard said, and his hands tightened on her body, trying to pull her closer if not for the basket being in the way. He let out a little growl of frustration, letting go of Lenneth’s arm long enough to toss the basket back onto the ground. He heard her let out a breathy little gasp, and his pulse quickened at the sound, his smile feral as this time he crushed her to him, kissing her with all his possessive might.

~How delightful!~ He thought as she wiggled and squirmed in his arms, soft supple body pressing against his, moving in interesting ways. Lenneth was making sounds, soft whines of pleasure as he kissed her, succeeding in encouraging the wolf further on. His hands slid upwards, seeking out her curves, and she gasped when he touched her breasts, a light squeezing touch that caused them to swell up out of her low cut blouse.

Kneading her skin, he broke the kiss to bury his face in his neck, both breathing in her scent and licking her skin. She tasted as sweet as she smelled, and Lezard let out a happy growl as he licked and kissed the side of her neck. Lenneth was arching her back, pushing herself into his groping hands, her fingers finding their way into his hair, dancing among the brown strands.

Biting down lightly on her skin, he began sucking at the side of her neck, working to darken her skin with a love bite. He could hear her moaning, feel her body reacting to him, her nipples pebbling underneath his skillful hands, straining against the tight material of her blouse. “Lenneth….” He called out her name, placing a kiss on the spot he had just bitten. “Do you want me to stop….?”

“I….I….” She fell silent, and he squeezed her once more, hearing her let out another moan. “I don’t know….it feels good…”

Lezard chuckled, rubbing his cheek against her neck. “It can feel even better….” His hands pulled down the material of her blouse, exposing her chest to the cool air. She let out a choked sound, body shivering from both his actions and the cold air. He slid his hands over her bare breasts, letting their heat warm up her cool skin, rubbing back and forth across her nipples. Lenneth let out a small whimper, teeth flashing as she bit down on her lower lip, trying to stifle the sounds she was making.

“Don’t do that….” Lezard told her, leaning in to steal another kiss. “Let me hear your voice…!” He bent over her chest, and his tongue darted out to lick at her skin. Lenneth cried out, the sound loud in the quiet of the forest, and Lezard smiled before dragging his tongue down her one breast. It traveled over the roundness of her, heading towards one dusky nipple.

“AH!!” Lenneth cried out in surprise, feeling the wetness of his tongue on her hardened nipple. She was torn between telling him to stop, and urging him to continue, knowing things were rapidly getting out of hand. She shouldn’t be letting anyone do this to her, let alone a wolf and yet….her voice was silent except for her pleased cries, and she arched into him when the wolf opened his mouth to fasten onto her nipple. She gasped and she moaned, feeling his teeth gently graze her skin as he sucked fast and hard against her.

“Lezard!” Her fingers continued to massage his scalp, and she called out his name, moaning as he sucked. The suction of his lips caused something deep inside her to stir, sending pleasured tingles through her body, and focusing on her center. Her eyes half lidded, she saw they were moving, felt him lowering them to the ground as he continued to suckle at her teat.

The dirt and grass was at her back, Lezard at her front, and she stared at the top of his head, watching as he licked and nibbled at her breast, saw how his fingers played with her other mound, not wanting to leave either of her nipples neglected. Her fingers nudged against his twitching ears, and she felt him tense up as she began stroking their velvet softness. “You feel so good in my mouth…” Lezard crooned to her, rubbing his face between her breasts. “And I love how you touch my ears…!”

Emboldened she continued to caress them, up and down she stroked as Lezard returned his mouth to her chest. They were both moving, wiggling and writhing as they touched each other, Lezard’s left hand touching her hip, bunching up her skirt under his fingers. He was pressing down on her, knee pushing between her legs as her skirt moved upwards inch by inch.

A voice in the back of her mind whispered to her, urging her to think on what she was doing, to stop. She quickly shoved it away from her, wanting to lose herself in Lezard’s arms. Her skirt was higher now, up past her knees, sliding smoothly along her skin. Lezard was kissing upward from her chest, lips touching the front of her throat, licking across it.

Suddenly he paused, a whimper of pain emitting from his lips. Lenneth looked up confused, and saw his head move, a grimace on his face. He turned to stare over his shoulder, and something struck him in the face. “Go on get!” A familiar voice cried out, and another small object bounced off of Lezard’s forehead. Lenneth saw it was a rock, and with a frustrated growl, Lezard leaped off her. He turned towards the stone thrower, fingers curled like claws and paused.

“Lucian?!” Lenneth said, in disbelief seeing the boy fumbling with his father’s rifle. His hands shook as he aimed it at the wolf, finger on the trigger. “Get away from Lenneth or I’ll shoot!” Lucian ordered.

Lezard growled again, not taking his eyes off of Lucian. He snarled, and Lenneth cried out. “Don’t!!” She wasn’t sure who she was telling that to, Lucian or Lezard, but she didn’t want either one to get hurt. Lezard took a leap in mid air, and the gun went off, Lucian falling backwards from the bucking of the rifle. Lezard let out a cry, and blood splattered onto Lenneth’s body.

With one last look at Lenneth, Lezard took off, running deeper into the woods. “Wait!” Lenneth cried sitting up, arms crossed over her chest. Lucian was also struggling to his feet, his blue eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and fear.

“Did you see that Platina?! That was a wolf!!” He turned to look at her, taking in her dishelved state, and his gaze grew heated. She frowned at him, seeing the youth did not have the decency to look away from her nudity.

“Lucian turn around!” Lenneth ordered, and he laughed.

“Why you’re positively red with embarrassment!” Lucian commented, but reluctantly turned. Lenneth quickly pulled up her blouse, and settled her skirt back into place. “It’s a good thing I came after you.” He added. “Who knows what that wolf would have done if I hadn’t shown up…”

“Yes…” Her tone was frosty, and she knelt down, grabbing for her cloak. She draped it over one arm, reaching for her discarded basket with her other hand. “You should be proud of yourself….injuring a defenseless wolf…”

Lucian turned to gape at her. “Platina what….what are you saying?!”

“How could you Lucian?!” She demanded. “He wasn’t doing anything wrong….!”

“Wasn’t doing anything wrong….” He repeated, shock in his tone. He gasped then. “You liked what he was doing!” His eyes narrowed a he accused her. “You…..you…” He was at a loss for words.

“I didn’t say that…” Lenneth shook her head, embarrassed at being caught in such a situation.

“What would Freya think?!” Lucian asked, coming closer to her.

“She doesn’t have to know….” Lenneth replied, panicked at the thought of her mother hearing about her encounter with the wolf. Lucian suddenly smirked, and she grew uncomfortable with the way his eyes traveled up and down her body.

“What will you give me for my silence?” He asked, leering at her.

Her cheeks flamed, she shook her head. “What are you getting at?” She warily watched as he approached her, slinging his arm through the rifle’s loop. He stopped in front of her, and again his eyes traveled over from head to toe.

“It’s okay right….? After all you were gonna give yourself to that WOLF…!” She realized what he intended to do, moments before he moved, grabbing hold of her arms, and forcing his mouth onto hers. Lenneth let out a cry of disgust, finding Lucian’s kiss to be a world’s difference from Lezard’s, harsh and invasive. Lucian’s tongue tried to worm it’s way into her mouth, and in defiance Lenneth bit down on it.

With a cry of pain Lucian jerked back away from her, anger in his blue eyes. “Lenneth what…..?!” His lips curled back, showing his teeth and his hand lifted into the air. Lenneth flinched back, fearing he might strike her and that seemed to calm Lucian down. “Why?” He asked at last.

“Why what?” She questioned, confused.

“Why a wolf and not me?” He clarified, and she blushed.

“It….it just happened okay…It doesn’t mean anything…” She touched his arm then, giving it a light squeeze. “Thank you Lucian….if you hadn’t come along who knows what would have happened…”

“Right…” He said gruffly, but looked pleased to hear her say thank you to him. “Shouldn’t you be on your way to Odin’s place…?”

“Oh yes….” Lenneth glanced up at the sky, seeing the sun had change it’s position several times over. “It’s getting late…at this rate I won’t be there until nightfall.”

“Want me to come along…..for protection?” asked Lucian. “In case that wolf comes back….?”

“No…..No need….” Lenneth said quickly. “You got him for sure….” She touched the blood staining her white blouse, her eyes flashing with pain as she remembered the pained yelp Lezard had let out. “I’ll be fine….”

“You sure?” asked Lucian.

“Go home Lucian….” Lenneth sighed. “Just go home….”

“All right…” Lucian said, and turned to leave. She watched him go, stifling the fear that coursed through her veins at the thought of never seeing her wolf again. Even worse was the thought of him having crawled off to die somewhere. “Damn you Lucian…” She murmured under her breath, and began walking the dirt path with a noticeable limp.

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To be continued……..