Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane, Chapter 4, By Ruth Nalio

Trystan…

Pain rolled through my body. My muscles spasmed, my back twitched, and my teeth ground together. I wanted it; I loved it, all while it was happening. The change would be done soon and then I would be able to run free, with nothing between my feet and the naked Earth.

I pulled my shirt over my head as another wave of pain rolled over me, changing my body. It wouldn’t be long now. I kicked off my boots and arched my spine into the change. I had to get all my clothes off before I changed or they would rip off when my body took on its new form. I started pulling off my pants as I let out a cry that sounded more like a howl than a yell, shivers of pleasure and pain spreading over my body.

Thick hair began to cover my body. The nails on my feet grew lightning fast as they changed into paws. I kicked my pants to the side and doubled over onto my hands which were now, like my feet, turning into paws and claws. I felt my ears growing into tall points and my skeleton changing form. I could even feel it as my teeth grew into sharp points.

I didn’t exactly look like a wolf. I could stand on my hind legs and use my front arms but it was still more comfortable to walk on all fours and I was much bigger. My tail whipped around my ankles as I let out a howl for the moon, full and beautiful. The moon was the only love in my life now. Oddly enough though, it wasn’t the only thing that drove me deep into the woods. My nose pulled me forward.

I ran so fast that the trees around me were nothing but a blur. The wind whipped in my face and over my body. The Earth felt good beneath my feet, the twigs and sharp rocks having no effect on my thick pads. The branches that whipped across my body felt good with their sting. The colors around me seemed to all melt together.

Suddenly the smell of another wolf filled my nostrils. My ears flattened out against my head and a primitive growl vibrated through me. My tail whipped back and forth as I began sniffing my way through the trees. I could smell where he had been before me. I was going to kill him or chase him from my territory.

Spotting a broken branch, I headed toward it, sniffing it carefully, and found that indeed was the same intruder I had caught sent of. I sniffed around the ground until I was sure which direction he had gone. Once I found the trail I picked up the pace, moving swiftly and silently through the trees. I wanted the taste of his blood.

The strong smell of ammonia hit me in the face as I raced past a tree. I turned back to investigate. The mangy mongrel had pissed on one of my trees! That did it, the mutt was dead! I quickly re-marked my tree and moved back to the trail.

My heart pounded quicker and quicker as I raced through the trees, anger flooding my body. I was going to rip his throat out. Thud, thud, thud. I couldn’t tell anymore if it was my paws hitting the ground or my heartbeat, but the sound reverberated through me. My nose pulled me forward, further and further, into the thick pine trees around me.

I stopped suddenly, although I didn’t know why. Something was different, something was wrong. Perking up my ears I listened for every sound. I sniffed the air, inhaling deeply when I caught wind of a particular smell that was undeniably familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

I dropped my head to sniff around and see what I could find, just as I did a bullet smashed into the tree only inches above my head. Knowing the direction it had to have come from I ducked and flew into the bushes. Once under the cover of the foliage, I slunk on my belly to stay hidden until I was behind the tree that had just been hit by the bullet that could have been my death. Something told me that it was no ordinary bullet but a silver one. Someone was hunting werewolves. Lycan’s may not be felled by silver, but werewolves were.

Fool, they could get killed! Why couldn’t people just stay inside where it was safe? Not to mention where they would be out of my way so that I could go after the other wolf. Now there was more than one thing I had to keep watch for.

The worst part was waiting patiently behind the tree for the hunter to leave. Did I hear footsteps? Damn! They thought they had me! They're coming to investigate! I had to get away from here and fast. The last thing I needed was to be shot and have that other mutt get a free run of my territory!

That odd smell was getting stronger, what was it? Gunpowder? No, it was something more than that. It was mixed heavily with the scent of pine, that could just be the trees though. Damn, it must be the hunter.

Silently I sunk deep into the shadows and padded away as quickly as I dared. I was careful not to make a sound. The smallest sound would draw the hunter to me, and that was the last thing I wanted. I felt my hackles go down as the scent of the hunter faded from my nostrils. I hadn’t even realized they were up.

Sitting back on my haunches I considered my circumstances. Now there were two intruders in my territory, a werewolf and a hunter. The hunter had to go, but how did I get rid of him? I didn’t want to kill him but if he was trying to kill me then all I could do was protect myself.

Then again, maybe I could just let the hunter take care of the other werewolf. No, I wanted that satisfaction for myself. As I stretched out on a bed of pine needles, I continued to think of a course of action. I wanted a full-out fight with the other werewolf, but how did I get the hunter off my back without letting him think he’d killed me?

If the hunter were to find the dead body with the throat ripped out then the hunter would really begin to track me, not that he could find me, but I still couldn’t have it. No, Mr. Hunter would just have to be kept at bay. Perhaps I could call him Mr. H for short. I liked that, it was like he was my pet now.

Well dirt. Now it looks like I can’t just kill him as I'd originally thought. Maybe I could train him in a way to work with me. At that thought I let out a bark of laughter that sounded somewhat like a sneeze. If Mr H didn’t like werewolves it was highly unlikely that he would work with one, and just how would I get him to work with me? Walk up to him, sniff his butt, and hope he takes it as ‘I won’t eat you if you help me catch the other wolf and rip his throat out’?

I closed my eyes and lay my head on my paws to better think without the light of the moon distracting me. My ears twitched as a small wind blew over me. With Mr. H stalking through the trees, I would have to give up my search for the other wolf for the night. I didn’t quite feel like getting shot at the moment. Tuesday didn’t quite feel like my day to die.

The sound of a bird chirping woke me. I must have fallen asleep. How odd; I didn't normally sleep so easily. Then again the bed of pine needles I found was quite comfortable and smelled divine. I lifted my head and looked around for the bird making all the racket: it would make a lovely breakfast.

Not seeing the bird, I stretched, arching my back and flipping out my tail. Then I let out a jaw-cracking yawn that had a hint of a whine to it, expressing my dislike of moving. I would have much rather lie in the sun and let it warm my fur for a few more moments, but the growling of my stomach didn’t seem to agree. Time to hunt.

I trotted down to the stream that I knew was just over the hill, knowing I would find a trail to lead me to food while I eased my dry throat. Sleep always left me thirsty. Coming upon the water I lapped greedily, letting the cool, shimmering liquid slide down my parched throat. Then I sniffed around the ground only to come across the scent of Mr. H from last night.

It was old enough that I wasn’t worried. The scent of rabbit crossed through the trail. My tail whipped from side to side in anticipation of the hunt as I began to follow the trail. It led upstream before turning into the woods. It wasn’t long before I was within sight of the hair that was nibbling a blade of grass.

My ears perked up to listen to my own footfalls to be sure not to make a noise. Once I was satisfied I was silent, I crept forward. When I was but a few yards from it I began to sprint, fully aware the creature would hear me and run. That was just what I wanted.

I tore through the trees after my meal. The rabbit was quick, but I could catch him. I wasn’t even at full speed: I was just playing with him first. The chase was all a part of my fun. The trees sped by and the wind blew furiously through my fur as I chased after him.

Just as I caught sight of the brush it was heading for I broke out to my full speed. I caught him just as his front legs touched the brush. Its horrified, pain-ridden cries filled the air as my teeth sank deep into its back leg, breaking it. The taste of blood filled my mouth and my jaws began to water. The smell of the animal's distress filled my nostrils.

Finally, I sank my teeth deep into its throat and ripped out its jugular. The animal was dead. I had lucked out, for this was a fat rabbit. I began to eat him, chewing only enough to rip him apart before I swallowed him down. He was a juicy little thing with his gamey taste due to the adrenalin in the moments before his death, and I savored every bite.

Licking my chops I looked around the shaded forest. I began absently licking my paws as I debated what to do today. I was free to do as I wished without so much as telling a soul. I loved being a wolf. It was so liberating, without the restraint of clothes and rules. Why did I hate it so much when I was in human form?

The sound of leaves snapping pulled me from my thoughts. I perked my ears and sharpened my eyes, looking in every direction. Letting a small growl rumble through me, I came to my feet and bristled my hair. I sniffed the air, trying to catch the scent of it when a squirrel began barking at me as it scrambled up a tree.

Noisy little creatures. They were always making noise of some kind. Just to be sure that was all it was, I sniffed again. Yep. That was definitely the stench of rodents mixed with nuts. Just what squirrels were; nuts.

Autumn…

I couldn’t take it! Why on Earth was I wondering what business Trystan had to take care of? It had to be natural curiosity, nothing more. But still, I didn't like wondering about his life. It was of no interest to me unless he had found a way to convince his father that this match was indeed a bad one.

Maybe I should try working at the angle that I was only eighteen and had a few years still until I was too old to be wed, and a few years was a long time. Something told me that Father would only shake his head at that and ignore me. He and I hadn’t been on the best of terms since I accused him of trying to rid himself of me.

That may not have been my best move, for I knew it wasn’t true. I’d be damned if I was going to tell him that, though. It was all I had at the moment, and he could just feel bad about himself for something if not for forcing me into this engagement. I sighed, knowing sooner or later I would have to give in and tell him I was sorry. By this afternoon the guild would be too great to bear, but until then I would simply avoid him.

I knew it wasn’t ladylike to sit and sulk like a child, but I had nothing else to do. I hadn’t gone to the ball, nor had I intended to. I wasn’t sure if I should tell Trystan I had simply stayed home or fabricat a flowing gown and jeweled mask. He was bound to ask how it was, and if he’d missed anything. I could just simply change the subject when it came up or I could tell him I had been feeling ill.

Drat the man! I couldn’t even sulk without thinking of him! Why did Father insist on this? He must know that I would have to spend the rest of my life lying to my husband. I would rather not ever marry, but that would never happen. The worst part was that eventually I would have too many lies to keep up with and would get caught in one, and then all hell would break loose.

If nothing else, I guess I could simply hope he was an inattentive husband who didn’t care or didn’t listen. Although Trystan didn’t strike me as that type. True, I had only met him on a few occasions, but it was enough to learn he was an entirely too curious person. It had been over a week since I’d seen him, and over a week since I had made horrible accusations of my father. I was anxious to talk to Trystan and see if he had convinced his father.

“Autumn?” Blast. Father was looking for me. Looked like I’d have to apologize sooner than I had anticipated.

“Over here, Father.”

He smiled at me and walked over to where I sat. “You always have liked the reflecting pool. You know you really should wear a hat, many men find a creamy complexion more to their liking.”

“It’s too late to shield my skin from the sun, I am already as darkened from it as any man is.”

“True, and you are engaged to Trystan, so you have no need to draw a man’s eye.”

“You wanted something?” I had to get him off the subject to Trystan; I had been doing enough thinking of him already.

“Oh, yes. Trystan’s father has told me that he would love for us to have dinner with him tonight and join them for some form of entertainment over tea later this afternoon.”

“That sounds lovely.” I lied.

“And Autumn, do try not to fight too much with Trystan. I’m not trying to get rid of you, I just think this is what’s best for you, and I‘ve been trying to find a way to tell you this without making you mad or without it sounding like an excuse.”

He looked at me with pleading eyes and I felt myself break. “You know I never thought that. I was angry and I’m sorry I said it. It’s just that I don’t want to get married, and I don’t know how to make you see just how much I don’t want to get married.”

“Aut, the arrangements are already made and agreed to.”

“I know, I was just hoping that since neither Trystan nor myself wish this to happen you and his father would call it off. In fact, I don’t think I ever want to get married.”

“Aut, I want to see grandchildren. I want to see more than one. I also know that the sooner you start having them the bigger a part of their lives I can be, and the longer you’ll have to love them.”

“I’m not going to die like Mother if that’s what you’re afraid of. I will someday get married, I’m just not ready, and I don’t want to marry Trystan.”

“I’m sorry Aut, but there’s nothing either of you can do to get out of this. It’s just the way things are. I’m sure that if you were to be kinder to Trystan he would be kinder to you. Who knows? You might even like each other.” He patted my knee and stood. “You look lovely today by the way. I wouldn’t bother dressing up for our visit.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“You will enjoy yourself, I believe Jude said the entertainment would be a bow contest.” He smiled crookedly knowing how much I loved contests.

A thought suddenly popped into my head. “Do you think Trystan will be doing any shooting?”

“I believe so, why?”

“It will be nice to know how good he is with a bow. Truthfully I wish to know if I’m better at him than he is.” I smiled what I knew was a mischievous smile.