Chapter 22

Wolfariane felt the exact moment the lightweight on his back stirred from her sleep. So, he switched back to half-shifter because he knows she is not ready to face his full-shifted form as the werewolf or the mountain lion.

My bed is moving. Why is my bed moving? Ismena's brows furrowed as she stirred on her...bed?

Her eyes opened, landing on trees...so many trees. She is in a forest. What is she doing in a forest at someone's back? 

Then, the memories rushed through her head; pawning a ring... Wolfariane at her doorstep... His lips devouring hers... His announcement that he'll hold her captive until his ring is found... Being attacked...

BEING ATTACKED!? 

She raised her head from his back and surveyed her surrounding. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong filled the air. It's early morning, she decided, seeing the way the night's darkness hasn't cleared completely.

It's obvious they aren't at their destination yet, but at least they must be close because he is no longer running. "Where are we...?" Her voice was drowsy.

"In Naturiah." He stopped and waited for her to straighten down from his back. After she regained her footing, he allowed the wolf to recede completely, shifting back to his male form entirely. 

He began walking forward again, "We are about to enter the very heart of Naturiah."

Ismena's eyes found the driver—no, he isn't a driver, according to Wolfariane. He is a leopard Alpha. "Good morning to you." She said to him.

Degar inclined his head to the woman beside him, without breaking his stride.

They walked in silence, and all the while, Ismena's head was still recalling the attack on the night before...and Wolfariane's defense. Catching lots of bullets flying from all directions on his hands and throwing them right back, while maintaining a fast run and with a woman hanging on his back? Heavenly heavens. She shivered.

A very dangerous man. Scary. Fearless. Powerful. What is this man?

She can't even begin to guess. Just thinking so much about it is threatening to give her heart failure. So, she suppressed the thoughts from her mind. Instead, her eyes surveyed him carefully...

"You're wounded!" She gasped when she saw the blood that smeared his left shoulder.

Wolfariane spared the wound a glance, and shrugged, "It's nothing."

She wanted to say something else but the thick frown on his face wasn't encouraging it, so, she snapped her mouth shut. Even the palm of his hands where he'd caught the bullets were bloodied too. 

Guilt assailed her, it is all her fault.

"I'm very s-sorry for pawning your ring. I had no idea..." Her throat felt heavy and tears blurred her eyes. 

The last twenty-four hours have been tiring, she'd put people's lives in danger. He, Degar, her old neighbor... 

What about poor Mr. Amil? Did he survive the attack? What about her house that has been destroyed? Her poor landlord...? Her clothes, shoes, meds...? Everything she has ever worked for is in that house.

She sniffled miserably. Suddenly, the weight of everything that happened was pressing down, hard on her shoulder. She's trying to keep the tears at bay, "What do I d-do now?."

His wolf stretched in agitation at the feeling of her anguish, Wolfariane turned towards her. "Keep it together. You have done great so far, don't fall apart now." He meant to console but his tone came out hard.

Ismena nodded her head vigorously, "Okay, okay. You're right." She sniffled again. Keep it together, Ismena. You have to keep it together, she told herself.

Degar's other half also felt her anguish, but he knows it was because she is an unclaimed potential mate. Either that or because she carries the scent of their Alpha King no matter how faint it is.

As they continued walking, Degar patted her back in consolation too. 

Ismena nodded in gratitude. 

*************

The instant they stepped out of the unending forest, Ismena gasped in awe and shock. Her eyes widened, "Woah,"

People were moving around to their various destinations. Some women were seen carrying baskets held to their left side, laughing and talking as they walked. Children were playing around, having fun, screaming, and laughing. Men with guns and swords that looked like guardians, warriors sentinels, and lieutenants at the same time were walking on the other side of the path.

There were no cars on the paths. Beautiful trees were scattered everywhere, and children climbing and jumping from them. Most of them were dressed...weirdly? 

No, not weirdly. Just so last centuries.
Houses were built with timber flakes, wooden flames, and walls of plaited branches covered in clay. More like a dwelling, instead of a house. There were a few manor houses scattered around too. 

The view was just so beautiful. So ancient. So nature.

"It's like stepping into a scene in olden days movies." She whispered in awe. "So beautiful..."

Degar smiled, "We try to keep up with time, but I guess we love the old ways because it's more...less technology to suit our animal nature. Most of our people refused to go into the non-changeling world because they hate it there."

Ismena can clearly understand what he meant. Staring at these people, she can practically see the love and obvious happiness on their faces. So stark and blatant, it was enviable.

"Alpha King...!" A child screamed in excitement.

That was when the other kids noticed their Alphas and a woman at the edge of the wild forest. The kids screamed and started on a dead run toward them. Two little cats jumped down from the tree and joined the run. 

Ismena watched with awe as these children and cats reached closer and threw themselves at Wolfariane and Degar. They caught as much as they could, while the others climbed their bodies, grabbing hold of their clothes as they did.

"No scratching, no shredding," Wolfariane instructed in the gentlest tone she never knew he was capable of, love and care for this children practically overshadowing the constant coldness of his deep blue eyes. 

She stood in shock watching the total transformation.