by Alexis Batty
“Shift first. I’ve never actually paid attention to you shifting before, plus it happens so fast. Can I watch?” I’m intrigued. Ash shifting is a magic all its own.
“Sure, there really isn’t much to watch. I’ll slow it down as much as I can though.”
The moon is bright tonight, and I can feel my magic surge within me. Moonlight gives me a boost of magic. Ash lifts his face up to the moon.
My parents and Jared came out with us. We watch as his skin writhes and his bones morph. He sprouts fur at the same time.
It takes him almost a minute to shift, but at the end, there is an enormous Timber Wolf in front of us. He’s gorgeous and looks to be more than two hundred pounds. His fur is almost black along his spine and on top of his head. It transitions to a light tan then an almost white color the closer you get to his feet and his muzzle.
In the blink of an eye, Ash runs up to me and sits at my feet. I can’t help but scratch behind his ears. I’ve always wanted a dog. He’s so soft and warm. I could curl up and sleep next to him and never need a blanket.
“Can you understand me, still?” I ask unsure of what the answer would be or if I would understand it.
A rumble of laughter in my head coincides with what appears to be Ash laughing in his wolf form. He makes little huffing noises as his body shakes.
“What the heck! Are you inside my head?”
Ash looks at Jared and then takes off running. I assume that meant Jared has my answers. What else is there to do but stare at him till he tells me what is going on?
Jared stares up at the stars, trying to avoid me. “You are putting me in an awkward position. Dad told me not to tell you anything about Lupines.”
“Screw Xerxes. This is one of the worlds I am a part of, and I should know; especially, if I’m supposed to be the head of the Council. How am I supposed to know how to guide and direct the witches, if I am only given a fraction of the picture? That is not an effective way to go about it, and you know that. Besides, do you always do what daddy dearest says?” I prod, hopefully, that will be enough to push him to tell me.
I don’t know much about him still. Most of my time is spent in training with Xerxes and Ash. We have gotten closer, but it’s not enough to be able to read him efficiently. “Besides he’s inside and can’t hear you right now.”
Jared’s eyes drill into mine. “You may not want to know. Have you considered that? The Spook world is very different from the human world you grew up in. Maybe, just maybe you really don’t want to belong in this world. There are truly some bad things in this world that you won’t like.”
I arch an eyebrow, “I didn’t choose this life; it threw fireballs at me. If I am to survive-”
“Fireballs?” demands Jared.
“Yes,” I said slowly unsure how he didn’t know that part of the story.
Jared grabs ahold of my shoulders and grips tight. “Are you sure it was fireballs?”
“Well that’s what was thrown at us when we were walking and after we hit the ground, but it was more of a flame thrower type thing when I turned back to help Ash. Didn’t Ash tell you?” I ask confusedly.
Jared turns and bolts inside the house.
“What in the world?”
Ash came running from the garden. He looks like he is going to run me over, but there’s no time to do anything about it. Lupines are just that fast. He quickly transforms back into his human self and grabs my shoulders rather tightly.
“Are you sure it was fire?” Ash demands.
“Yes, I don’t think I will ever be able to forget being encased in fire, or you being on fire. Don’t you remember?”
“No, you don’t understand. I couldn’t see the magic. I could just sense it coming at us and figured that it was some kind of surprise attack and went on the defense. How were you able to see it?”
“She was able to see it because she is apparently more powerful than we have given her credit for. There is a very rare ability that shows up occasionally where a witch is able to see all magic even if measures have been taken to hide it. With practice, she will one day be able to look at a shifter and tell what they shift into,” informs Xerxes as he walks out onto the back porch.
“That’s cool.”
Xerxes smiles slightly. “Indeed. Come it is time for you to learn the proper etiquette while at the council.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Can’t Jared do it?”
“No, he is going to investigate this new information in the little time we have left,” said Xerxes.
I follow Xerxes to the training room where I’m going to be drilled and lectured for eternity.
12
It has been four hours since Xerxes started lecturing. My butt is sore and my hands hurt. College wasn’t this difficult; of course, then I could use my laptop. I’m ready to send my pencil straight through his eyeball and laugh in glee while doing a happy dance as he collapses.
The last time he quizzed me I didn’t miss a single question, but that isn’t good enough. Apparently, we have only skimmed the surface of all this etiquette nonsense.
If I really am the head of the council because it’s my birthright, then all this etiquette is the first thing I’m getting rid of. There is no way I am treating anyone’s servant as if they aren’t there. In fact, I’m making a point of acknowledging every freaking one of them. Take that, stupid rules.
“Gwen!” reprimands Xerxes. “You are no longer paying attention, again.”
“I need a break, Xerxes. I’ve lost my focus and have been considering bodily injury.” I sigh longingly.
“You will get this you just need to focus more, and it will come to you,” Xerxes claimed.
“It’s not me I’m considering hurting,” I mumble.
“Do not mumble no one can understand what you are saying,” chides Xerxes.
“That was the point.” I roll my eyes at him. Not that he would have noticed he has his back to me as he pulls out another book to start lecturing me on. I need a knight in shining armor to rescue me from the big bad etiquette tyrant.
“Knock, knock.”
“What do you want Mutt?”
Ash winks at me. “As much fun as interrupting you is, I do actually have a purpose for it this time. The house isn’t letting anyone get into the cupboards or fridge at the moment. I’m taking this to mean that none of us get to eat until Buttercup here does, and Jacqueline smells like her blood sugar is dipping.”
I get up and head for the door. “I’ll be back after a quick break to eat. I’ll be able to concentrate better.”
“Gwen,” warns Xerxes.
I stare at him pointedly, “You may have the luxury of not having to worry about your blood sugar but my mother does not.”
“I am sorry. You are correct. Grab some lunch and bring it back here, and we will continue.”
Once we are in the hall, I look at Ash. He has what could only be described as a wolfish grin splayed across his face. There’s a distinct possibility that I am done for the day. I can’t help my wicked grin from appearing. Even if Ash didn’t have anything planned, all it would take is one little hint from me, and there would be no turning back.
We walk into the kitchen and find my mother half way through her lunch. There’s a bag on the counter next to her. “Everything is ready. We’ll keep him entertained.”
I laugh, “Thanks, mom.”
She gives me a hug and whispers in my ear, “It wasn’t my idea it was Ash’s. I swear he knows you better than I do and in such a short amount of time. If I were you I'd marry him and fast.”
I glance at Ash and he winked at me, again. My mom apparently doesn’t remember that he has supersonic hearing or doesn’t care.
“I’ll keep that under advisement.”
Ash picks up the bag and smiles wider. “We have to go, now.”
Never will I get used to lupine speed. The ground goes by in a blur. It’s nauseating to watch. I scrunch my eyes closed hoping that the assault on my brain will end soo
n.
“ASH! I’m going to be sick if you don’t stop soon.”
We stop abruptly, which is just as bad if not worse. Ash gently lowers me to the ground as he tries to contain his laughter. Everything is still spinning, but my stomach is starting to calm down.
“Why did you do that?” I demand with my head between my knees. I wait for the world to slow down or for it to catch up, I’m not sure what needs to happen.
He sits down next to me. “Well, Xerxes was starting to get concerned and was on his way to get you. I couldn’t let him swoop in and snatch you back when I was in the middle of swooping in and stealing you.
“The man hogs all your time and stresses you out. I know I would have needed a break after four hours with him as my only company.”
I laugh at the thought of Ash and Xerxes in the same room, alone, for more than five minutes. There would be a lot of blood needing to be clean up.
“Tomorrow night we go to the council. I figured you could use a bit of recharging and it’s the night before the full moon, so the second best night to do that.” Ash looked at me his eyes filled with tenderness. He chuckled as he pulled a leaf from my hair.
“Well, this was definitely something I needed.” I take the leaf away from him and send if soaring through the sky on a small breeze. I can’t help but watch it fly away wishing I could go with it. “I had found myself wondering if I could magic my pencil to fly across the room into his eye,” I confess. I look back at Ash.
Ash laughs loudly. He’s laughing so hard that tears are running down his cheeks. It’s so infectious I can’t help but laugh myself.
I fall on my back laughing harder than I have since this whole thing started. Actually, I’m not sure if I have laughed with real mirth since I was attacked.
Our laughter slowly dies down and we are left lying on the ground staring at the tops of the trees. Ash has wandered these woods so much he probably has them memorized.
“How long have I been here?” I ask.
“Been where?”
I sighed, “At the family house. How long ago did we come here? My days have blurred together and I can’t remember what day it is or the date that I was first attacked.”
Ash thought for a moment and refused to look at me. “It’s been almost six weeks.”
I said I wasn’t going to cry. Six weeks is such a long time that my dream job is probably history. Ash is also probably in trouble.
My parents owned their own business, but who knows what is going on now. What few friends I had probably don’t even remember me. Remembering Michelle brought the tears.
“Shhhh Buttercup. It’s alright. I know it seems like a long time, but it will be all right. Michelle found a temporary replacement for you at work. They’re a couple of college students that’re pack members. They each take a section of your shift and they’re well aware that when you are able to come back, it is your job.
“Every time I shift, she asks for an update. I swear she stays transformed except at work. I would have told you but well. She thought it would be creepy to you. Michelle considers you her best friend, and I am pretty confident the feeling is mutual.”
“My parent’s work?” I manage to ask in-between sobs.
“Your parents sold their business. They had been in the process of doing it before everything and had sealed the deal the night you were attacked. You see there is nothing to be sad about.
“I guess from your point of view there technically could be, but logically, everything is ok. Please, please don’t cry,” urges Ash as he holds me and runs his fingers through my hair.
Sobs rack my body. If I don’t gain control of myself soon, I’m going to start having a panic attack. I listen as Ash rambles on and on trying to convince me that everything is ok and that I needn’t worry.
My crying is draining me, and I’m sure I look like a red and splotchy mess. Determined, I focused on my breathing to calm me down. My sobbing stills, but the tears were still flowing.
Ash picks me and our lunch up and walks at a normal pace. He’s still rambling, but I can’t hear his words. I’m busy focusing on how perfectly my head fit resting on his shoulder, how warm he is, and how calm I suddenly feel.
The moment we walk into the clearing, my energy increases and the weight on my chest seems to lift slightly. I look around and realize that this is my oasis.
It has a clear view of most of the night sky. It’s like a big chunk of the forest refused to grow just so I could watch the moon. There’s a large flat rock next to a creek
“It’s breathtaking Ash. Thank you for bringing me here,” I sigh as he puts me down on the rock.
Ash smiles as he looks deep in my eyes. “Yes it is.”
I shiver races through me.
He brings his hand to his eyes. “I forgot that you aren’t your own personal furnace. I’m sorry I should have brought a blanket to sit on.”
It’s my turn to smile. I close my eyes and a thick soft blanket appears underneath us, as well as a smaller one wrapped around me. I open my eyes and am surprised to see the amazement on Ash’s face. “What?”
He shakes his head. “I sometimes forget how powerful and talented you are. You feel so small and fragile. I worry that I am going to break you.”
Smiling, I place my hand on his cheek, “I’m fairly certain you are unable to hurt me. You’d rather chew your arm off than that. There’s a gentleness about you that I don’t think anyone else notices, but I do. Plus that wasn’t me. I asked Binawalka for it.”
Ash leans into my hand. His eyes flash green for a second. “Thank you,” he whispers.
I move towards him. I possibly pulled him towards me at the same time or he moved. I’m not sure, but the moment our lips touch a fire sparks to life inside me. One kiss with Ash made me realize how much I want him. I wrap my arms around his neck.
“We have to stop,” pants Ash as he pulls away.
“Why?” I pant trying to pull him back.
He smiles as he places his hands on my shoulders and holds me still. “Because right now my wolf is screaming in my head take her over and over. And no matter how much I may want to be with you like that, I want to be the one in control. It is never as satisfying when the animal is in control. I know this may be weird but-”
I stop Ash by placing my hands over his mouth. “I get it and I am glad you feel this way. You should know that I have never, you know before. Good grief I don’t think I have really ever had a serious boyfriend. Most guys don’t stick around long after I tell them I have no desire to make-out with them back in the stacks. Once they realize, I won’t fulfill their sexy librarian fantasies they move on. I’m sorry I got carried away, but I’m not ready.”
“I’ll wait as long as you ask me to. You are more important than anything to me, but when, we do get engaged can we make it a short engagement?” asks Ash as he pulls a little further away.
I chuckle, “Deal.”
Ash grabs the forgotten food out of the bag and we eat our lunch watching the water flow through the clearing. We eat in silence, but it isn’t an awkward silence. It’s a trying to get our heads on right silence; well that’s what it is for me.
I don’t know what to think about all this. He when we get engaged, and I didn’t freak out. I’m actually trying to get the images of what our wedding will look like out of my head.
That’s starting to freak me out. He said when not if. Does that mean that he already knows he wants to marry me or that he thinks it’s a possibility? And what about his mate? She has to be out there somewhere. If we get married and he met her then he will leave me, and I don’t think I can handle that.
“Stop thinking Buttercup. You’ll give yourself a headache,” said Ash between laughs.
Immediately my nerves calm while I stick my tongue out at him. I will never get used to the effect he has on me.
A very wicked idea pops into my head. I walk over to the water and place my palm over the creek. A stream of water slithers up and forms
a softball sized ball. Water fights are never going to be the same for me.
I turn my palm over and watch as the water moves. It’s swirling around almost like a circular whirlpool. This is going to be fun. I smile and toss the ball over my shoulder and run across the creek. Ash yells.
Turning, I find Ash behind me with his fur soaking. He transformed and looks like he’s preparing to shake to soak me. Apparently, my plan wasn’t as well thought out as I thought. Who would have thought that he would fight dirty too?
“Ash. Think about this for a minute. You don’t really want to get me wet like that, do you? I mean come on it was just a teensy bit of water. You didn’t get that wet and you don’t want to do what you are thinking of doing. I know you don’t.” I lie. Of course, he wants to, but I’m hoping that my pleading might stop him.
He cocks his head to the side as if to consider not soaking me. I cross my fingers hoping he listens as I start backing up to try and get out of the splash zone. I soon discover there’s a good reason you don’t walk backward in a forest.
Easily avoided hazards appear and you fail to avoid them. Just as I bump into a rock, Ash barks and lungs towards me. I watch as he transforms mid-lunge while I fall reaching out to catch myself.
Ash catches me just as I’m about to hit the ground. His eyes are filled with concern. It’s so mesmerizing that I almost don’t notice the water dripping from his hair on to me. He looks nice dripping in water.
Lupine strength is amazing, but if he doesn’t grab something other than my shirt he may actually rip it off of me. “Um Ash, my shirt isn’t as strong as you.” I hold onto his arm trying to relieve the pressure on my shirt.
“What, oh um sorry,” apologizes Ash sheepishly. He releases my shirt and twists his wrist to grab my hand. I’m pulled up by a slight tug on his part. We are so close that his heat engulfs me, and I can’t help but lean into it. I ignore the fact that I’m getting soaked. I didn’t send this much water at him, but whatever.
Ash smells like his name. He smells of warmth, woods, and earth. If there was a way I could capture his smell and put it into a candle, then it would be the only candle I would ever need.