The Witch and the Wolf

A Wolf in the Town

Serah got up early with Uncle Albert so she could learn the care of the dairy cows. It was hard work, but rewarding - especially since Eddward despised working with the cows. Naturally when Uncle Albert offered to show her the dairy route as well, Serah jumped at the chance to get away from the house.

Uncle Albert wasn’t much of a talker when Aunt Ann was around, but when it was just the two of them on the cart he didn’t stop talking. He talked about the cows, the spring calves, the route and how it changed based on the weather - at some point Serah tuned him out and imagined herself back in the little glen with the wolf. She’d drawn a few sketches of the wolf this morning in her journal. She really hoped he would be there when she got to go back to the glen, but somehow she wasn’t convinced a wild animal would just stick around like that.

The last stop of the dairy route was in town, at Cade’s general store. Serah had a list from Aunt Ann of things to buy. She went to jump from the cart seat but stumbled on the hem of another of Aunt Ann’s stiff dresses. A warm hand steadied her and she looked up to thank whoever had helped her.

She gasped. The same warm golden eyes she’d seen yesterday in the wolf’s face were staring back at her from a very handsome young man’s face. She blushed and looked away when she realized she was staring.

“Um, thank you,” Serah mumbled, embarrassed by her own reaction.

“I’m Cassian,” his deep, gentle voice carried a smile.

Serah looked back up. He was smiling slightly and little dimples formed around his mouth.

“I’m Serah. It’s lovely to meet you Cassian.”

Cassian leaned close and reached around her. She stiffened until she realized he was only releasing her skirt from the splinter on the side of the cart that it had caught on. He turned his head close to her ear as he did so and whispered so quietly she almost missed it.

“Nice to meet you again, Serah.”

Serah was sure he could hear her heartbeat speed up, but he made no indication of it. He simply winked at her conspiratorially and turned to help with the unloading.

Serah shook her head slightly to clear it, then walked quickly into the store, intentionally not looking in Cassian’s direction. What was she supposed to think of his statement?

A smiling man crossed her path suddenly, interrupting her thoughts.

“I hear you’re Albert’s niece. I’m Cade - It’s nice to meet you. Did Ann send a list with you today?”

“Oh, she did, yes. I have it here.” Serah pulled a slip of paper from her glove and handed it to Cade. He took it and looked it over, nodding.

“Serah, I’ve got to go get some tack from the stable down the street. Will you be alright here?” Albert came into the store huffing slightly from exertion. Cassian followed Albert in without so much as a bead of sweat on him. Serah opened her mouth to respond but Cade spoke first.

“Actually, why not let Cassian show you around town? You can meet Albert back here later and I’ll have Ann’s list packed into the cart for you.” Cade looked at Cassian with one brow raised and Cassian nodded slowly.

Albert looked from Cassian to Serah and grinned happily, thinking about what juicy news he’d have to give Ann this evening. “Oh, I think that’s a grand idea! You two run along.”

Cassian’s ghost of a smile returned as he led Serah out of the store. Neither of them spoke for a moment, then:

“Would you like to see the garden they’re cultivating near the town hall?” Cassian asked quietly.

“Yes, please. I like gardens.”

“I thought you might.”

They walked in silence and Serah went over his words again. Was it possible? Granny Reed had mentioned that there were some people among the ancient druids who could shift into animal forms, but Serah had thought those were just stories Granny Reed had made up. She glanced over at Cassian only to find him looking at her.

“You’re frowning,” He stated simply. “Have I upset you?” A small crease formed between his brows and Serah fought the urge to smooth it with her thumb. Not that she could reach. Cassian towered over her like a tree over a flower.

“No, I’m just thinking.”

“Is it about what I said?”

“Well, yes. I don’t want to make any assumptions…”

They stopped in front of a low fence and Cassian opened the gate. The perimeter of the large garden was covered in tall, colorful flowers while shorter flowers carpeted the lawn between in neat rows. Little stone paths ran through the garden leading to various benches and fountains. Cassian led her to the whitewashed gazebo in the center of the garden before speaking.

“This isn’t something I tell anyone. Or show anyone. You just happened to be there and… I felt your pain like it was my own. Then you showed me your honest self and I felt that I needed to be honest with you as well. So, your assumption is probably right…”

Serah leaned against the gazebo railing next to him and looked into his eyes.

“You’re a shifter?”

He nodded, “werewolf. And you’re a witch.”

They spoke quietly with their heads close together.

“You said you felt my pain?” Serah gave him a worried frown.

Cassian looked away finally, into a distant void Serah couldn’t see. “Loss. My family sent me away to protect me and they ended up dying in a hunt. Cade told me your family is in Salem, so I made some assumptions.” He looked back down at her, “I hope with my whole heart that they remain safe.”

A small tear trickled down Serah’s cheek. She hadn’t realized she was crying. Cassian gently brushed the tear away with his thumb and left his hand on her face. She felt little tingles of heat where his hand rested.

“Thank you, for trusting me and for helping me when I was hurting.” Serah looked into his eyes and noticed they darkened as she spoke.

“Thank you for not being afraid of me, and for caring.” His slight smile came back. “I know we just met, but I feel like I’ve known you before.”

Serah smiled back, “Granny Reed told me that we’ll always be able to tell when we meet someone we’ve known in a past life. Perhaps that is what this feeling is?”

Her heart hammered in her chest. Cassian’s hand slipped down from her cheek to her neck, his long fingers tangling up into her hair and releasing it from the tight knot it was in. Dark brown waves tumbled just past her shoulders, bumps forming where the pins had held it in place. Serah bit her lip at his touch and his eyes darkened further.

A sudden noise broke the tense silence between them and Serah jumped slightly, blushing and looking away. Cassian smoothly turned her away from the direction of the gate as a suited man opened it for a formally-dressed young lady. Quickly Serah pulled her hair back into a knot and replaced the pins, then she turned to greet the strangers.

As it turned out, the young lady was no stranger at all.

Merry sneered at Serah when she was close enough to recognize her. “Serah! I haven’t seen you in ages! Where on earth did you get that dress? Is it a hand-me-down?” She laughed musically and her gentleman escort chuckled uncomfortably. Merry’s eyes landed on Cassian and she stopped, clearly eyeing his chiseled features and muscles that couldn’t hide beneath the cotton shirt he wore.

“But Serah, you must introduce me to your friend! Is he a relation?”

“Hello Merry, it’s lovely to see you again too. I’m borrowing the dress from my aunt while she makes some new ones for me. This is my new friend Cassian, and he was just showing me around town.”

Serah took Cassian’s arm cordially and squeezed almost imperceptibly. He got the message and quickly led her past the other two, only stopping to say, “Lovely to meet you Miss Merry.”

Merry sputtered and her escort frowned as he watched the exchange.

Once they were far enough away from the garden to not be heard, Cassian and Serah looked at each other and burst into laughter. He looked around quickly then grabbed her hand, still smiling.

Serah didn’t even think twice about it - she was entranced by his dimples. She followed as he led her between buildings and down a short trail into a copse of trees off the main road. She was breathless by the time they reached it but she giggled as he spun her around and caught her before she fell.

Suddenly Serah was very aware of his arms around her. A nagging voice in the back of her mind kept telling her to back away, that this was improper and that he was a stranger, but she silenced the voice and looked up at him.

Cassian tightened his arms around Serah when she looked up at him. He couldn’t help it. His instincts were screaming at him that he needed to keep her close and protect her. He didn’t know what he was protecting her from, but he felt a looming sense of dread. Serah was looking at him with darkened eyes and biting her lip again. Cassian felt his heart racing in his chest and wondered absently if she could feel it. He slid one hand up her back and into her hair again, reveling in the feel of its silkiness. Then ever so slowly he lowered his head until their lips were touching lightly.

The touch of Cassian’s lips on hers sent a shock through Serah’s body and images flashed through her mind. She pushed them away to concentrate on later and slid her hands up Cassian’s chest and around his neck, deepening their kiss. Instinctively she parted her lips when she felt his tongue seeking access. Her body was on fire as Cassian held her tightly.

Cassian was mildly surprised when Serah leaned into the kiss, but he couldn't stop it any more than she could. He pulled her body against his and his tongue searched for hers.

Cassian broke the kiss so they could breathe, but he didn’t release her.

“I… I think I know what Granny Reed was talking about…” Serah gasped. “Can you meet me tonight in the glen? I have something to show you.”

Cassian nodded, not trusting himself with words. He was breathing hard, both from the kiss and from new emotions raging through his mind.

Slowly they released each other, then walked back up the trail into town. Uncle Albert was waiting by the cart when they reached the store, talking with Cade. Both men took in the flushed faces of the youngsters and smiled knowingly at each other.

Cassian helped Serah into the cart and released her hand reluctantly. He knew he'd be seeing her again tonight, but tonight seemed so far away. He watched after the cart for as long as he could until it turned down the road.

Serah could feel Cassian's eyes on her as they passed out of the town and onto the dirt road leading home. She knew tonight couldn't come fast enough for either of them, but she had some preparations to make - and she'd have to be sneaky about them. It wouldn't do to have Aunt Ann asking why there was a basket of herbs and candles sitting out. Serah would have to hide them in the loft of the old barn and hope Eddward didn't follow her around for the rest of the day.