'Valerie..'
His voice whispered through her mind. The wolf shifted on his paws, glowing eyes never leaving her's.
The girl smiled and set her basket down.
"Peter," she whispered, holding out a hand. He stopped just before her, lowering his head to touch his nose to her palm. His golden eyes shifted to meet her's and he nuzzled her cheek gently.
'I missed you.'
"And I you.." she murmured, reaching up to dig her fingers into his thick fur. "How have you been, this long while?"
'I have worked hard. To.. control myself. For you. I have longed every night and day to see you again.'
"You have done well, it seems," Valerie replied, stepping back and looking over the massive beast before her. "You look good."
He wrinkled his nose in a smile and sat down.
'You look beautiful.'
She smiled and hugged him, burying her face against the fur of his shoulder, inhaling the forest scent surrounding him. He lifted a paw and gently curved it around her.
'I traveled to the cities,' he said, lowering his paw and leaning back to look at her. 'I.. I killed. I could not control myself.. But I learned.'
"I have been waiting for you," she breathed, releasing him reluctantly and stepping back. "I moved into Grandmother's home. I cannot stay in the village. They ask too many questions of me.."
'Do they bother you?' he glanced around the forest, ears pricked.
"No. They leave me be here.. But they are curious."
Peter nodded and rose again.
'Come, let us go inside. I have traveled long, and would like to rest.'
Valerie turned and picked up her basket before leading him inside. The wolf moved towards the fire and stretched his massive bulk out before it, grateful to its warmth.
Valerie set the basket on the table and picked up a spoon to stir the kettle.
"Do you hunger?" she asked. "I have just made soup. It is not Grandmother's, but I like it alright."
'I do hunger, but not for food.' He eyed her, seeming almost to smile.
She set her spoon down and went to him, crawling between his front legs and leaning against his massive chest. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"I love you."
"I love you too, my dear." Fur melted away and warm arms curled around her tightly, then lay her down on the plush rug. Peter stared down into her face, memorizing it's every detail, and she lifted a hand to touch his cheek.
"You're beautiful." He turned his lips into her palm, kissing delicately but never taking his eyes from her.
"As are you, my wolf." She smiled and drew his face towards her's, closing her eyes as their lips met. The forest scent never left him, no matter his form, and she drank it in. Peter, her Peter. Her wolf come home.