The Chase

"So tonights the night, is it?" asked Hazel as she lay on Gretchen's bed watching her go through her clothing in search of the perfect outfit for tonight.

Gretchen looked in the mirror and shook her head. "Jesus, I'll never get used to you people being in my mind like this."

"You're avoiding the question, deary."

Gretchen rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Yes. Are you happy? Do you really want to hear about how I'm going to be riding your uncle's dick later?"

Hazel chuckled to herself and looked over to Gretchen. "Now we're talking. You're so nervous though. Why?"

Gretchen turned around and said, "I don't know."

Hazel smirked because she knew the truth, even if Gretchen wasn't ready to admit it to herself. Gretchen breathed in deeply through her nose then said, "It's the full moon, I guess. My senses are all crazy, it's like I'm on full alert and just waiting for something to happen. Does that make sense?"

Hazel nodded and smiled. "It does. I think a lot of things are going to become very clear to you tonight."

Gretchen looked confused. "What are you talking about? Why don't any of you just say what you really mean? It's like every statement is laced in mystery. It's frustrating as hell, you know."

Hazel smiled and looked down at the charm on her necklace as she played with it. "It wouldn't work with you, Gretchen. You're too headstrong and defiant. It's the alpha in you. If we told you outright, you'd never believe it."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about," said Gretchen while she looked through her drawers for a top to wear. "Believe what?"

Hazel sighed and said, "You'll see."

"So, what do you think of this one?" asked Gretchen as she held up a black sweater against her body.

Hazel twisted her lips to the side and shook her head no. "No, the first one. I’m so jealous, Gretchen. I wish I could shift. I’d love to go running with Rhett every once in a while.”

Gretchen shoved her things into her bag then closed it. “Why can’t you? Damien and Daniel can both do it."

Hazel rolled onto her side and shoved a pillow under her head. “They’re both really old and have read all the books already, they know the magic word for word. It’s next on my list though. By the way, my grandparents are having a bonfire for you tonight afterwards. Surprise!”

Gretchen smiled as she pulled her hair out of it's ponytail then fluffed and scrunched her hair. “Are you serious? I told them not to make a fuss over me."

“They just want to make you feel welcome here, Gretchen. You're just about part of the family now. It’s good, really, we don’t do a lot of things like this very often. The soldiers have been working really hard to keep the lands clear of trespassers. Everyone could use a bit of fun to take the edge off. So, what do you do? Are you going to change here or down in the woods?”

“Better that I do it here. I don't want everyone seeing my bare ass," Gretchen said as she pulled off her shoes.

"No, I don't expect that Uncle Damien would care much for that at all, now that he's seen it up close and personal."

Gretchen pulled her lips to the side and grinned. "Alright you perv, can you take care of my things?”

Hazel sat up, then took Gretchen's bag. ”Of course I will."

Gretchen stood up then pulled off her shirt. Hazel clapped and said, "There we go. Shake those tits.Sorry I don't have any money to put down your knickers. Should I call Rhett in? It's almost his birthday, we could both give him a lapdance. That would just make his whole bloody year."

Gretchen rolled her eyes and smirked. "Shut up."

As Gretchen removed the last of her clothes, she shook out her arms and legs. “Ok, stand back, I can get a little bitey sometimes."

Hazel crossed her arms and raised her brow. "Well, let's see you then."

As Gretchen's nails stretched out of her fingers and fur sprouted from her skin, she dropped to her hands and knees while her bones and muscles snapped and popped. The golden brown wolf shook out its fur and Hazel ran her hand across the wolf's back. “Look at you, Gretchen. Who's a pretty girl?”

Gretchen went to the door and whimpered for Hazel to open it. As they walked down the hall together, they were met by Haldir and Damien in the foyer. “There she is,” said Haldir as he dropped to his knee. The wolf licked his cheek and nuzzled against his bushy beard. “Best looking wolf in the Realm, hands down.”

"I agree." Damien looked down at Gretchen as the wolf circled him and rubbed her body against the back of his legs while she sniffed them. He smiled and reached down to pet her head. "That's right, my love. It's me. Can your wolf eyes see me now?"

“Look at her, already has her dancing shoes on,” said Rhett as he and Jason entered the foyer. Rhett swung his arms back and forth and smacked his hands together. "Gretch does not play around. Well, alright then. Let's do this, my hearts just fucking pumping."

Jason asked, “Are you coming along, Dame?”

He looked over Gretchen and she licked the back of his hand. “Absolutely, I wouldn't miss it."

As her feet hit the cobblestone path, Gretchen inhaled the scent of freshly split pine and cedar wood. It reminded her of Christmas when her father would drag the tree inside, then spend the next day trimming it up because he always bought the biggest one and it never quite fit in the house.

When they walked past the Sentry's post, Gretchen could see the soldier's stacking the wood in the field and the kegs being brought off the wagons. Gretchen lifted her snout and howled low into the air. "Owwoo."

Rhett laughed. “Yeah, I hear you Gretchen. There's nothing like it. This place will be jumping by the time we get back. Me and Gretchen are just a couple of hillbillies, we love a good bonfire on a night like this."

When they reached the edge of the woods, Jason and Rhett went behind the trees to strip out of their clothes and shift. Gretchen paced back and forth quickly while she whimpered and waited.

“What’s wrong, my love. Hmm?” asked Damien as he knelt before Gretchen and rubbed his hand in backwards strokes along her head.

Haldir shook out his fingers as the electricity of the hunt surged through him. He had once been a Viking in the days when such men existed. He'd seen his fair share of battle in a thousand years and it still sent waves of excitement through his veins. He loved the hunt, the chase, the glory of claiming the spoils. “There's nothing wrong, Damien. It’s the quickening, the pause before battle, the calm before the storm... and our girl’s a powerful goddamn storm. I wager she'll bag herself a hefty prize tonight.” Haldir knelt down in front of Gretchen then combed his fingers through her curly coat and said, “You take them boys to task.” Then, he put his forehead against her cheek and said, “This nights all for you, Gretch, go fuck it up!”

"Ow Ow Owoooo!"

Gretchen whipped around quickly towards Jason's howl. "Ooowooo," she called back. Gretchen turned around to look at Damien as she pranced nervously waiting for him to shift.

Haldir slapped Damien's back and said, "Never keep a good woman waiting, son."

Damien gave Gretchen a side grin then instantly shrunk to the ground into a large grey wolf. Gretchen walked over to Damien then licked his face and sniffed his neck. The witch in Gretchen may not know who Damien is, but her wolf was no longer confused. She understood exactly who he was now.

She playfully nudged him with her nose and then took off running into the forest in search of her pack. Damien quickly followed behind her. His appearance was just an illusion, so he wouldn't be able to hunt with Gretchen, but there was no way he was going to leave her all alone in the woods in the height of her Season with two male wolves. That was a chance he just wasn't willing to take.

As they ran through the woods, Jason caught the scent of a deer. They yapped and barked at each other as they decided who would lead. Having three alpha bloods was sure to cause a disagreement, but since it was Gretchen’s night, they let her take command.

Gretchen lifted her snout and howled into the night then bolted into the thick of the woods. As the three other wolves ran after her, Gretchen leaped over boulders and splashed through a stream in chase of the scent.

As the full moon lit their path across the forest, Gretchen spotted the flash in the stag’s eyes ahead. She slowed her pace and crept along as her pack followed. Crawling across the forest floor, she peeked through the branches of a downed tree as Jason and Rhett moved to flank the creature.

Sensing danger, the stag suddenly took off running through the trees and brush. Rhett and Jason gave chase and Gretchen ran alongside her team as it herded the deer towards a clearing. Gretchen bared her teeth and growled low in her chest, signaling to the others to attack. Rhett and Jason lunged at the deer from each side, bringing it crashing to the ground. Gretchen jumped onto the animal's side and bit into its neck, ripping and tearing at it’s throat. When the deer stopped moving, Gretchen stood on it’s chest and howled out to the moon in victory. Her melody was answered by Jason and Rhett as they recounted their versions of the battle to anyone listening.

Back at the bonfire, Haldir listened as the wolf trio cried out in the distance, then he began to laugh out in his raspy way. He smoothed out his beard before he took another drink from the bottle he was holding.

Rosemary sat on Daniel's lap, leaning against his chest as he ran his fingers through her long auburn hair and gently placing kisses along her neck. She looked out towards the forest while she listened to the wolves victory tune. “That' so beautiful. Is that good news, Haldir?”

“Yes, it is. Get the spit turning boys, deers on the menu!”