More of an Animal
They walked hand in hand into the thick woods that surrounded their camp. They needed to get far enough away so that they wouldn't be interrupted. Halsin smiled over at Brynlin a little nervously, "Are you sure you want to do this? You could get hurt."
She smiled up at him and nodded, "Yes, I want to. It was my idea; I intend to see it through." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. He made an affirmative sound but walked on in silence. She could feel the anticipation and anxiety rolling off him. It wasn't very often that she surprised him with an idea. She remembered the astonished look on his face when she asked him. The memory made her giggle.
"I hope you keep your good humor; you'll need it." He didn't look at her, but she could hear the warning in his voice. A shiver ran down her body. She was trying not to show just how excited she was. A primal hunt has always been on her to do list, she had just never found a person with which she felt safe enough to do so.
They finally pulled to a stop next to a shallow river. He was beginning to glow faintly from the magic within him, "This will be the last chance to change your mind. Once we have begun the hunt, I don't think I'll be able to reign in the beast until it's complete." He took both of her hands in his. He looked a bit concerned, but she could see the building excitement in his eyes. He wanted this just as much as she did, if not more.
"What are the rules?" His nostrils flared as he inhaled sharply.
"I will give you ten seconds to get as far as you can. Hide or run, if you make it back to this spot before me, you will have won. I will mark the trees in this spot along the river. You are only allowed one wildshape, no potions, no cheating. Let your instincts drive you, as nature intended." She swallowed; she hadn't even considered using her own druidic abilities in this game.
"Understood. When do my ten seconds start?" Brynlin let go of his hands and started pulling her long red hair into a loose braid over her shoulder. She watched as he rolled his big shoulders and his magical glow got brighter.
The look of utter concentration came over his face as he said softly, "Now." She wasted no time, immediately wildshaping into a beautiful copper colored fox. She flicked her tail at him and dated off into the forest. The growl that followed her, made her fur stand up.
Being in animal form was one of the most glorious sensations. Her senses were keener, her instincts sharper. The forest was alive with activity and sounds. She ran hard as she dodged trees and scurried in the underbrush. She could tell when her ten second head start was over. There was a ferocious roar as Halsin released his bear. The noise of the forest quieted, as if they could tell something dangerous was in their domain.
Brynlin's heartbeat quickened with the knowledge that she was now an object of prey. Either she beat him and made it back to the starting point or the bear would catch her. What did he intend to do with her if he caught her? The thrill of not knowing raced through her.
She finally stopped her breakneck speed and surveyed her surroundings. She was at a thinner strip of the river. She could cross and circle back. Maybe the water would muddy her scent long enough for her to get around him. She didn't have long to decide, she could hear the booming thuds of his footfalls as he tore through the underbrush she had slid through. Her scent would be very strong there.
Making the decision, she jumped into the shallow water. The current was lazy, so the crossing was easy, though she still went carefully. Halsin must have been closer than she realized because he came tearing to a stop around the area where she had rested and made her plan. He hadn't spotted her across the river.
She stayed low as she crept towards a felled tree, intending to take cover until he continued his search elsewhere. She watched from her cover as he sniffed the air and pawed over to the river's edge where she entered the water. A menacing growl ripped from him. It made her instincts spike with fear and adrenaline. She tried to hold still but failed to contain the flinch.
His eyes immediately locked on the movement. If she didn't know better, she could swear she saw the bear's maw smile in triumph. Feral felt too lighthearted to describe the look in his shining amber eyes. She took off back towards the starting point. She was fast, she could definitely make it. Her steps faltered as she realized he hadn't followed her. He hadn't come across the river. Her breathing quickened. Something akin to panic began to creep into her.
She took a few more steps but she couldn't concentrate on the direction she needed to go. In her haste she forgot to keep to the river. She had been looking over her shoulder waiting for him to appear and chase her.
There was a snapping sound to her left. She felt her anxiety spike. It was making it hard to hold onto her wildshape. She moved as quietly as she could away from the sound. Why couldn't she hear him? With how big he was, she should be able to tell what direction he was at least.
Brynlin found a large stone jutting out of the ground. It seemed to overlook a small decline in the terrain. If she climbed it, maybe she could readjust her sense of direction. The forest was dead silent as she climbed up to the point. She could see down the incline was an open clearing that led directly to the river. Across it she could just make out the scratched marking on the trees. It was a good thing the moon was so bright tonight.
She felt her fur stand on end. He was closing in on her. She couldn't tell where, but her instincts were screaming at her to RUN. Brynlin made her way down the rock and was rocked by the roar that seemed to come from every direction. He was so close.
Her adrenaline was the only reason she was able to dodge out of the way as a massive paw swiped at her from the other side of the rock. He must have followed the river back a little and crossed when she wandered away. He stalked her almost lazily as she darted toward the clearing. She could make it. She could. She needed to focus.
She was focusing so hard on running that she never saw the exposed root of a tree at the edge of the clearing. She tripped and went tumbling into the open space. As she rolled to a stop, she lost her wildshape. The fall had been rough enough to tear away her concentration. She felt a cut on her forehead start welling blood as she regained her feet. She could still win. All she had to do was make it across the river. It was about 100 yards away. She didn't hesitate. She took off at a dead sprint. Her blood was pumping so fast all she could hear was her ragged breathing. She had a smile on her face though. This was exhilarating. He was close to catching her.
Halsin came barreling out of the forest at full speed. She could feel the ground shake as he started to close in on her. He was heaving breath and steadily chuffing at her. It was like he was laughing at her. She laughed as she glanced over her shoulder.
Brynlin's eyes widened as she saw just how close he was. How was such a massive beast so fast? She felt all the air leave her lungs on a scream as she was pulled down to the ground by one giant limb around her middle. She was only 10 yards from the river.
Brynlin was down on her back with two paws pinning her hands to the ground. She watched as the bear leaned its head back and let out a victorious roar. Quick as a flash she felt the sharp points of his teeth against her jugular.
She closed her eyes in submission and felt the power of his wildshape disperse. Halsin still had his teeth on her neck when he settled his form onto hers. Her heart was racing, and she was instantly aware that he had not a stitch of clothing on. He lifted his head and looked down at her. He was trying to control his breathing when she asked, "Where are your clothes?"
His hands tightened on her wrists. He inhaled and he smiled coyly at her, "What did you think the ten seconds were for?" A shiver rolled down her spine at the near feral look in his eye.
"You really are an animal to be reckoned with. Magnificent." She couldn't help spreading her thighs to let him settle fully into her. She could feel how aroused he was. He inhaled again, almost as if… "Can you smell how turned on I am?"
"Yes, and if you can believe it, I'm more of an animal in this form." He rolled his hips into her, making her squirm at the friction the movement gave. He brought both her hands above her head and released them, "That was thrilling to the extreme and now my blood is on fire." He nuzzled into her neck, where he had bit her previously. It was tender and Brynlin could feel the bruise it was going to leave. She reveled in the fact everyone would see it. They would know who had put it there.
"You won our game. I am your prize. What do you want, Halsin?" She arched her back and pressed her breasts against his chest.
"I want to devour you." He rumbled out, low in his throat.
She whined, "Please."
That's all the encouragement he needed. He captured her mouth with vigor. She felt the heat of him all over her. She put her hands to the buttons of her shirt, but he pulled back and moved them out of the way. He took both sides and tore it open. She gasped as the cool air hit her bared skin. Her nipples hardened and he watched them with rapture. She flushed at the out of control look on his face. It made her crazed that she could do this to such a powerful male.
He sat back on his knees and slipped his hands into the waistband of her pants. He placed a kiss on her lower belly as he slowly, tortuously slid the leather down her legs. He trailed after the garment with his mouth. Halsin tossed the pants to the side and reveled in the bared beauty that nature had gifted him.
His breathing grew heavy as he picked her up and placed her on his lap. She straddled his hips and felt how hard he was against her, "Don't hold back." She demanded.
"I don't intend to." He nipped at her collar bone and ran his hands up to cup her breasts. She moaned as he captured one in his mouth. His tongue ravenously rolled over the pebbled nipple, sending a bolt of lust through her. He worked her other nipple with his hand, pinching and rolling along with the motions of his tongue and teeth.
The sounds she made drove him forward. He laid her on her back and moved down her body. His fingers brushed her folds with his fingers and groaned, "So wet and eager for me." Her back arched as he pushed two fingers inside. As he began to pump his hand his mouth found her clit and she cried out. He used the flat of his tongue and the slow steady rhythm of his hand to bring her to the brink of shattering.
Before she came, he stopped, looking up at her with a wicked smile, "Not yet, pet. I want to feel you squeeze me when you cum." She whimpered and he pulled his hand from her. He put his hand to her mouth, "Lick it clean." She moaned as his fingers brought the taste of herself to her tongue. "Do you like the way you taste?" She nodded as she cleaned his fingers, "It's sweeter than honey, and more intoxicating than the best wines." She watched as he ran his other hand up and down his shaft.
He pulled his hand free from her lips and grasped one of her legs. He slowly placed it on his shoulder. She instinctively wrapped the other around his waist and he pushed into her in one powerful thrust. She moaned and her back bowed off the ground as he buried himself fully in her. Using her leg as leverage he set a harsh rhythm. Her nails dug into the soft earth as he claimed her.
Her hands played with her breasts, and she could feel herself getting close to the edge, "I'm so… so close…" She whined out.
"That's my beautiful girl, come for me, pet." He growled out. His words drove her over the edge. He felt her body squeeze as she orgasmed. He followed her over the edge with a low, long groan. He praised her with sweet words as they slowed and rode out their highs.
The only sound was that of their labored breathing. Halsin pulled free of her and lay beside her. She turned and smiled at him. He pulled her into his arms and showered her face with soft kisses.
"Thank you."
"For what, my heart?" His voice was gravely and low. All the growling had taken its toll.
"For indulging me, and for not letting me win." She giggled and nuzzled into his chest. She rubbed her nose on the course hair on his chest.
"I do not think I have it in me to lose such a delectable prize. I would deny you nothing." He looked at her with all the love in his heart. She blushed and smiled as she brushed his cheeks.
"Do you think the others heard us? A roaring bear isn't exactly subtle."
"I hope they did." He chuckled and kissed the bruise on her neck, "They'll definitely see what we did."
"Oh I can't wait to see what Astarion has to say."
They laughed together and reveled in one another's touch until it began to chill, "Let's head back." He pulled her to her feet, and they crossed the river and collected their things.
"I have extra robes in my bag." He rifled through and brought out one for her.
"You really were prepared for you to win, huh?" She laughed as she pulled the wool over her head.
"Always, my heart. Always." His confidence never wavered when it came to her.