48 Ride

Aura

“But Greyclaw would never turn away our child...or you.” He sounded so certain. I loved the way he spoke like that, so full of determination like nothing could stop him, like he would overcome any crisis, and maybe even enjoy doing it.

“Does that make me part of your pack then?” I asked him.

“Only if you want to be. Since marking you seemed to work normally, I’d assume you could join if you wanted. You don’t have to or anything, just being my mate is enough.” I hadn’t really considered being a part of a wolf pack. It seemed strange and surprising, but at the same time I didn’t hate the idea.

But, first, “Are you still willing to do a fae ceremony? Mom thinks she can get one of the elders to agree to officiate it.”

“If they’re willing, I’m willing.” He sounded so certain, and I fed off his attitude.

“I’ll tell her tonight.”

He looked disappointed at the idea of us being parted again. We’d have to figure out a way to make our lives work together. It would be hard for me to keep up the things I loved while living in his home, and I doubted he’d want to live in my community, even if somehow the town council didn’t cause a fuss. And even if they did allow it, I couldn’t imagine Senator Salix not having something to say about it.

“We’ll figure out a way to stay together soon,” I promised him. It was increasingly clear I was going to have to leave my home and build a life somewhere else.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Stay wherever you want to stay, live the way you want to live.”

“Don’t you need to be with your pack?”

“My wolf likes living with pack, but he loves you. We’d be fine.”

Before I could think of anything to say to that, he turned off the highway and onto a gravel road. The thick forests of trees lining it on either side were soothing. After a couple of minutes, he stopped the car in a gravel half circle cut into the forest I assumed was meant as a parking lot.

“You like?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“My plan was to take you hiking, but since you’re in a dress, we can just go for a short walk.”

I laughed at him. “I don’t need human hiking equipment any more than you do.”

“Well,” he began, “I want you to be comfortable.”

Still carrying my shoes, I walked towards the path that was worn into the ground, likely from numerous human hikers. I yearned not to just follow it, but to carve my own path. My feet felt alive whenever they brushed along the plants along the sides of the path, and the sound of Jack’s heavier footfalls made my heart feel light.

I turned, and grabbed his hand and pulled him onward, exploring this new bit of nature I’d never seen before, entirely familiar, but also unique in its own way. This was another extension of my home. And Jack, while a member of an urban pack, was still a wolf at heart. I could see it in the way that he stepped through the forest, his quiet watchfulness, although he needn’t worry since we were undoubtedly quite safe.

We passed a couple of human hikers who gave me strange looks, likely because of my bare feet and slip dress. I probably should be trying to be less conspicuous, but I could only imagine with amusement the looks they would give me if my wings were out. It was funny until I remembered how the senate would react to that sort of frivolous exposure.

On we walked, and I felt more powerful and vibrant with each step as I deviated from the trail. This was a true wild place, and with Jack beside me warding off the emptiness of death that clung even here, I was more complete than I had ever been. The bond between us seemed to be a piece I had never even realized that I was missing. I didn’t need a wolf to appreciate it.

As we walked, Jack explained to me how to control my end of the bond between us, how to restrict and loosen the connection. He said I did well, and it was actually quite easy to learn, because it operated off of my intent, much like my magic did. It was another natural extension of me, like my wings.

Thinking of them, I let them out, and as if we were of one mind, Jack stripped off his clothing and abandoned everything beside the running shoes I’d never even put on my feet. This time I watched him as he transformed. It looked painful, but also bore an interesting natural symmetry I could appreciate, each half shifting in perfect harmony until he was an animal covered in grey fur.

The face of his wolf looked mischievous, a playful glint in his golden-yellow eyes. “Think you can keep up?” he asked.

“I was going to ask you that same question.” I teased back. Wolves were certainly fast, but they couldn’t fly. I didn’t give him time to respond, but started zipping through the gaps in the forest while he bounded after me. He’d have an easier time if we were on a packed trail, and I slowed a bit so that he could catch up to me, and I started keeping pace with him.

He didn’t seem to mind losing the chase. “You’re very fast,” he said appreciatively.

“Only on wing. If I were trying to run away from you on foot I wouldn’t get very far. Would be nice if I didn’t have to hide my wings, though.”

“I’ve often thought the same thing myself about my wolf, but...” There were strict laws against exposing the supernatural world to the mundane since long before either of us were born. I’d never questioned them, but suddenly the outside world didn’t seem as dangerous as I had always been told.

“What do they think would happen if humans knew about us? Sure, they could be a danger, but maybe they’d just be ‘That’s nice, werewolves and fairies.’ Who’s to say it would go badly?”

He shrugged, which looked quite strange in his wolf form. “I’ve wondered that myself. It’s likely fear of the unknown.”

“I’m starting to think we fae have let our fear rule us. I understand tech is kind of creepy and empty and cold, but it’s not like it actually harms us. And being with you makes it better. You feel more alive than the emptiness of any place, or even that creeping feeling of natural death I always sense everywhere. Existence is a losing battle for life. I accept that because I can’t escape it.”

He looked concerned. Wolf faces were more expressive than I had given them credit for, although that might be partially due to the intellect residing inside.

“Don’t worry, I’m used to it. It’s the downside of my strong magic, it’s always been this way.” I dropped to the ground beside him and he stopped running to accommodate my slower speed on foot. “I really like the bond between us.”

“So do I.”

“And it’s a lot less awkward when you’re a wolf now that you can talk to me.”

“My wolf has never been happier.” I reached out to touch his fur, and it felt as nice as touching plants. He leaned into the contact. “Actually, make that now my wolf has never been happier.”

“If your wolf likes me touching his fur, you should give me a ride, Jack. I’ve never ridden on a wolf,” I teased.

“I’d give you a ride anytime,” he agreed so quickly I wasn’t sure if it was meant to sound suggestive or not. He stopped and looked at me expectantly. I’d been joking, but he seemed willing, so why not?

“Hold onto the fur at the back of my neck, I don’t want to lose you,” he said as I tentatively got onto his back. I held on as he instructed and he lurched forward, startling a little scream from me at the sudden movement. He stopped abruptly again. “Sorry, thought you liked going fast.”

“I do, when I’m the one doing it,” I said, and laughed. “I was just startled, I’m fine.”

“I used to let my sister ride on my back, especially before she shifted, but honestly I was kind of trying to knock her off back then,” he said. “Not used to this whole being nice to my rider idea.”

There was pain and affection in his voice. I wound my fingers into his fur more securely, and he started off again, still fast, but with a smoother start. I leaned closer to his heat, and watched the forest fly by.