Greetings, lovelies! It is Werewolf Friday. AWOO! We start this chapter with a little bit of Jaune torment, because torment is fun when it's happening to someone else. Enjoy!
Jaune awoke to the feeling of something heavy on his chest. He groaned, his eyes opening slowly. Then, a jolt went through his entire body as he realized what the source of the weight was: Pyrrha was curled up next to him, still in her wolf form, with her large head on his chest.
And the sun was starting to rise.
"Pyrrha. Pyrrha, hey!" Jaune said, shaking the werewolf's shoulder while mentally cursing himself. When the pack had stopped to rest, he had promised himself to not fall asleep. Unfortunately, riding on the back of a giant wolf was significantly more tiring than riding cross-country on a horse. He didn't even remember drifting off.
The horizon was starting to turn pink. This was not good!
"Please wake up, Pyrrha!" Jaune begged.
As if to mock him, the first rays of sunlight hit the grass. Pyrrha's fur started to shrink away. Her ears lost their point. Her snout diminished, as did her tail. Jaune watched the transformation, even as he repeatedly told himself not to.
Then, it was over. Pyrrha was lying down, curled up against him, head pillowed on his chest.
God and Maidens, forgive me. This probably qualifies as at least fifty sins at once right now, and I'm still sinning because I'm still looking. Why am I still looking?! Look away, you idiot!
He couldn't, though. Even as he berated himself, he was unable to tear his gaze from the undeniably gorgeous form next to him. Her beautiful, sensuous curves, her muscular legs and arms, her calloused hands… Even more stunning was her long, red hair, which shrouded most of her form when unbound. Her face was peaceful and smiling, as if she was having an incredibly pleasant dream. She shifted closer to him and made a noise in her throat.
A hot flush shot through Jaune's body. Stop. Looking. Now. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to relax his muscles enough to pretend to be asleep. His heart just wouldn't slow down, though. Pyrrha would surely hear it when she woke up! Shit!
Pyrrha awoke to the sound of a rapid pounding in her ear and the feel of metal against her cheek. She blinked slowly, trying to gain her bearings, then froze when she realized where she was and who she was on top of. Immediately, she jumped up and backed away. "I am so sorry!" she gasped, glancing around to check if the others had seen. Thankfully, they all still looked to be asleep.
"It's fine," Jaune muttered as he sat up, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the trees, trying desperately to make his face its normal color again. "I shouldn't have fallen asleep."
"No, no. I'm acting leader. I should have been more responsible." Pyrrha looked around. Had she even thought to post a beta to keep lookout? And what on earth had possessed her to sleep on top of Jaune like that?
She remembered seeing him sleeping peacefully. She had rested her head on his chest, following a sudden wish to hear his heart beating. Then…
She blushed brightly. "W-Would you like to walk ahead of us?" Their clothes bags were at the other clearing, after all.
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. I'll head back to the wagon." He stood. "Thanks again for last night. It really was fun."
"You're welcome." Pyrrha watched him go, feeling her heart sinking. He isn't even looking at me. Then again, that could be just because he wants to be a gentleman. But he must have felt so uncomfortable! What was I thinking?!
The rest of the pack woke up soon after that. Scarlet paused by Pyrrha, brows furrowing with concern. "Your emotions are going crazy right now. Are you okay?"
Pyrrha sighed, shaking her head. "Do you think you could calm me, Scarlet?"
"Of course." Scarlet locked his gaze on that of his leader and allowed his body and mind to relax. He focused only on calm, soothing emotions, allowing them to emanate from him like a halo, focusing on Pyrrha as he did so. He smiled when he felt and saw her shoulders loosen in response. "There. Better?"
"Much," Pyrrha said, taking a deep breath. "Thank you." Now that she was no longer panicking, she was able to think clearly. I'll apologize again for falling asleep on him. He isn't mad at me. He didn't seem disgusted, just embarrassed. Everything will be fine once we get back.
Still, she couldn't keep from feeling a stir of unease as she led the rest of the pack to the clearing to fetch their clothes.
When they got back to the wagon, they found that Jaune was leading most of the other humans on a Grimm patrol. Though disappointed, Pyrrha tried not to let it bother her. Instead, she decided to try going to town by herself.
She had gone alone the other day, and had even struck up a conversation with the nice baker. Since the morning was young, he was probably pulling fresh bread from the oven. Pyrrha's mouth watered at the thought.
After checking to make sure she looked passable, she set off on the path toward Burgundy. The buildings and large number of people still unsettled her, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been. She sniffed the air, smiling when she detected the smell of fresh bread.
When she opened the door to the bakery, the baker looked up and grinned when he saw her. "Well, hello missy! Starting off early today, eh?"
"Hello, Wallace," she greeted. "Anything fresh today?"
"But, of course." Wallace pointed to a loaf that sat on the cooling rack. "I got some cheese bread today, made from local Burgundy cheddar. It's good stuff, let me tell you."
"I'll have a loaf, please," Pyrrha said, taking some coppers from her pocket.
"Coming right up." Wallace started wrapping up a loaf for her. "So, how's the trading? Selling lots of dirty books?"
Pyrrha laughed. "Roman handles the books. We help count the money and organize things, mostly."
"Good. Keep your nose out of there." Wallace placed the bread on the counter just as the door opened. He froze, his gaze going over Pyrrha's shoulder. "Uh, why don't you come behind the counter, missy? Get a better look at the scones."
"Huh?" Pyrrha frowned at Wallace's sudden change in tone and looked toward the door. Three men were entering the shop. The middle one had what looked to be a perpetual sneer on his face.
"Missy, please come over," Wallace repeated, a hint of desperation entering his voice.
The sneering man looked at Pyrrha, eyes glinting. "Getting some pretty customers, aren't ya Wally? Has this lovely lady been giving you some lovely coin?" He took a step toward the counter. "Because you definitely owe me plenty."
"I paid you last week!" Wallace protested. "I'm almost paid in full. Just be patient."
"I still need my interest, old man." The sneering man placed a hand on the counter. "And I have some money I need to get to some people. Why don't you just give me whatever you have?"
"I need to buy ingredients today, though," Wallace said. "I can pay you again in a week, I promise."
One of the other men drew a dagger. Pyrrha's eyes widened. A low growl rose in her throat. "Don't even think about it." Her eyes flashed.
"Missy, don't get involved!" Wallace warned.
The sneering man smirked. "Hm. Maybe we'll take this one as payment. Grab her, boys."
The other men took one step forward before suddenly freezing.
Pyrrha was glaring intently into their eyes, alternating from one to the other. "Drop your weapons and leave," she growled.
There was a clang as two daggers fell to the ground and the men rushed from the shop. Pyrrha heard the third man coming up behind her and spun around, raking her nails across his face. He screamed, clutching his cheek and stumbling out the door.
Pyrrha watched them go, shoulders hunched, teeth bared. Then, her heart froze. I just used the alpha stare! She turned around to see Wallace staring at her, eyes wide.
When Pyrrha looked at him, he shook himself. "Um, thank you missy," he stammered, holding out the loaf of bread. "This one's on me."
Pyrrha placed her coppers on the counter. "No, Wallace. You clearly need the money." She took the loaf. "Um, let us know if those people harass you again, okay?"
Wallace nodded, still looking very confused. Pyrrha left with a sinking feeling of dread growing in her stomach. It continued to grow until she was practically shaking by the time she got back to the wagon.
Jaune, who had gotten back from his patrol a little while ago, noticed immediately. "Pyrrha, what's wrong?" he asked, standing up.
Pyrrha looked at him, eyes wide. "Jaune, I might have done something terrible."
This immediately attracted the attention of everyone else. Ruby sat up from where she had been dozing next to Weiss. "What is it, Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha quickly explained what had happened in the bakery, wincing when Roman threw his hands in the air.
"Well, that's just great! They'll tell the town about it and there'll be a damned witch hunt!"
"She only used it on two people, though," Ren pointed out. "I mean, what are the odds that they'll be believed?"
"It doesn't matter what the odds are!" Roman snapped. "If a handful of people believe, it'll plant seeds of doubt everywhere. People will be scrutinizing our every move, my every move." He pointed a finger at Pyrrha. "I agreed to help you with this craziness, but I didn't sign up to have my wagon chased down by a bunch of church-crazed idiots!"
Pyrrha's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry…"
Perry stood up, glaring at Roman. "H-Hey, don't yell at Leader Pyrrha!"
Pyrrha shook her head. "No, Perry. I acted rashly. I deserve it." She bowed her head toward Roman. "I am truly sorry that I put you at risk, Roman. It won't happen again."
Roman sighed, tapping irritably at his leg with his cane. "Yeah. See that it doesn't." With that, he turned around and started sorting through his stock, muttering angrily to himself.
Pyrrha hurriedly wiped her eyes and started toward the edge of the camp, where she sat down, staring at the trees. She looked up when Jaune walked over and sat next to her. "I just seem to be making a mess of everything today," she murmured. "First this morning, now this."
Jaune shrugged. "Eh. We had a long run last night. It makes sense that we'd fall asleep." He patted her shoulder. "As for Wallace, I think it's great that you were able to help him. If those idiots try starting anything, we'll just go somewhere else. Besides, you have actual Huntsmen to vouch for you, remember?"
Pyrrha smiled. "I suppose that's true."
"Here." Jaune pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back gently. "Don't worry about it. Even leaders make mistakes sometimes. I should know."
Pyrrha snuggled against his chest. He had removed his armor, so she was able to hear his strong heartbeat much better. He was also really warm. "Thank you, Jaune," she murmured.
After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps caused her to look up. Neo was standing over them, a gentle smile on her face. "Don't worry," she whispered. "Roman doesn't stay mad for very long."
"That's good to know," Pyrrha replied. She glanced toward the rest of the pack, which had already divided the loaf of warm cheese bread between them and were scarfing large bites as if their lives depended on it. Despite her lingering fear, she found herself laughing.
….
Red eyes flashed spitefully in the sunlight, highlighting the dark circles that sat beneath. Adam hadn't slept for more than an hour each day since he had left his territory. He didn't care, though. He had to find her.
Ever since she had been taken away by Cinder's dogs, Adam had been plotting how to find her and steal her back. How dare Cinder try to take what was rightfully his?! How dare she try to rob his pack of the mother of his future pups?!
He had bided his time, waiting for the moment to strike. Then, after the full moon, he started receiving reports that his betas could no longer sense her. The rage that filled him had caused him to kill three of them.
Once he was calm, he had chosen his two most trusted betas to join him. They wouldn't take long. They'd find Adam's mate and bring her back to the forest where she belonged. Then, they would destroy Cinder's pack once and for all!
Then, when spring came again… Adam licked his lips at the thought.
Soon, my darling. I will find you soon.
Ya'll knew it wasn't gonna be sunshine and shippiness forever, didn't you? You knew Stalker McCreepy was gonna come back eventually, right? Of course you did. What is he planning? You'll just have to wait and see. Mwahaha!
If you like what you see and want to show extra support in exchange for rewards, my P/atreon is Solora Goldsun.
Peace out!