Chapter Seventeen - More Than It Seems
1529 Words
Theta Nixie went to prance off with her breakfast satchel Nelson had made her but I spoke, “You won't join us Theta Nixie?”
“Oh no thank you, I usually leave while the sun is still rising but I had a late start. There are some plants that are best taken at certain times of the day, or night. I must travel near the boarders to the west for some of the herbs I require and be back in time to meet Kaida for patrol tonight. My apologies for being in a rush but I must be going.” She bowed slightly before running off.
Tessa turns her attentions away from her distractions across the room to inform me, “We are scheduled for training before lunch, until then I'd like to wander off a bit if you are alright with that Luna?”
Tess using my official title was irking. Even when we spoke of our fantasies as young girls where we would be a queen or duchess, we always promised to never use those titles on each other. We were that privileged to one another.
“Of course Beta Tess.” and with my permission she was speedily off. Looking around half the room was gone with things to do. The girls are done and I barely ate anything. No matter, I haven't much of an appetite. Popping up from my chair to startle Hailey and Rhea I announce, “Lets go find something fun to entertain ourselves with until training!”
I got a small startle from Rhea who stood up, ready to trudge forward to accomplish any task. Hailey jumped a little, then snorted giving me the eye roll. I cannot help but to giggle. There it is, utter annoyance.
“Well ladies I want some fresh air.” I spun around and headed out, Alcrea walked quickly to meet up with us.
“Good Morning Luna. Ladies” He bowed to us all. “Where may I ask are you off to?” He questioned
I never slowed my pace. Walking through the large foyer our voices echoed. ”We seek sights unseen!” I laughed
“No seriously Luna were are you all going? And where did Beta Tessa run off to? You can tell me.” He pleaded.
“Are we not free to roam the estate's grounds?” I teased.
“Of course you are Luna I only wished to know. For your safety in case anything were to happen.”
“Alcreeeee,” I teased, “Is it your job to protect me?” I nudged him as I continued our journey to the main doors.
He blushed, “No Luna. Alpha Eso ordered me to keep you safe, as your guard has not been chosen yet. Either Beta, is an acceptable substitute, given the circumstance.”
“Wait a moment, why would I need any sort of guard? I can protect myself.” Speaking seriously to him.
“It is only added protection Luna. There will always be times in your life when you are weaker than others it is always better to be prepared.” His words came with kindness.
“You are sweet beneath all your convoluted ways.” I grinned at him making Hailey giggle.
Alcrea teased at her, “Oh don't you encourage her” He then looked to Rhea and gave her a nudge with a smile. “You are looking better Rhea”
“Thank you Beta” Her words gentle towards him. She held nothing against Beta Alcrea for replacing her deceased Mate.
“Well then where are we off to?” Alcrea playfully put an arm around mine then Rhea's neck. “A tour of the castle?” he teased as he attempted to turn us around.
I quickly reply, peeling off from under his arm and headed towards the door. “We planned on getting some fresh air today I told you!”
The three of them follow along outside while I sniffed out the water and listened for its path making a mental map of its route. There was a waterfall only about one hundred kilometers up ahead. The days were cool and leaves were falling, making the water warmer than the air. The perfect time to go for a dip.
“Ladies, take off your clothes and make a satchel. I feel like taking a run before training.” A devilish smile crossed my eyes to Alcrea.
The Beta did not like what we had decided on, “Please Luna, Go inside and change into a pair of bakama first.” He requests of me
“I don't know what those are but it changes nothing. The answer is still no. we wish to leave now under our own pretenses. Either join us for a run and swim or leave us be Alcrea. I am sure you have better things to do with your time. As for my sister she has decided to explore the grounds in her own way. Leave her be.” I state unphased with his pleas.
The girls are reluctant but follow my lead. Once I stood there naked and free my hairs stood up along my human skin. I commanded my body to transform. Only this time I wasn't going to stop. I was going to shift completely.
My red and orange fur flowed from me. I remembered how Tess and Hailey dropped down before they grew further in size and completed the form of werewolf. I do as I had seen them do, and willed myself to fully transform.
There was pain but it soon stopped. I remained in the half form with no power in me to fully commit to it. I looked up to see Eso in a window, watching me with disappointed eyes before turning his back on me. I hold my head high. I know I'll get the hang of it. There's just no real need so my body isn't pushing itself forward right this instant.
The girls fully transform before picking up their satchels of clothing in their mouths. I may not be a full wolf yet but I can still run as fast as them. Hailey tired herself of running after only a 30 kilometers, Rhea stayed neck and neck with me over half way but I was more than capable of running the entire length at full speed nonstop. Alcrea chose not to join us after I mentioned we would be swimming in our nude human forms.
We arrived to the falls with Hailey only a few minutes behind Rhea. The water fell on a multilayered side and also fell straight down to plummet deep into the water on the other side. The small lake before us is a crystal clear blue completely surrounded with overgrown foliage. If it were not for all our wolf senses and abilities I would of stayed on alert for unwanted guests. With out changing shape I jump in splashing around in fun. Hailey eases into the water while Rhea, runs off.
“Rhea!” I don't know what has gotten into her.
Hailey looks in the direction she ran until we hear thunder paws above us with leaves rustling. Rhea's dark brown wolf with black highlights jumps from the top of the falls soaring straight out and down smashing into the glassy lake. Her splash drenched Hailey and myself perfectly. I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Rhea came to the surface in human form. With a sly grin on her face.
In her raspy wolf voice Hailey teased at Rhea “Seriously Rhea you are just as bad as Luna is”
That made me chuckle, “Hey! I am still the Queen of Annoyance! Rhea that looked like a lot of fun!”
“It was a simple thing but something I have missed dearly.” She swirled her arms in the water “You see Horatio and I came here. During our patrols we raced to be the first to hit the water. I usually won.” She reminisced happily
We all returned to our human forms swimming around investigating our beautiful watery enclosure. We collected rocks and shells in decorated piles. The base of the waterfall looked deep and when searched closely we found that the bottom turned to the right and continued like a tunnel in the rocks. We swam through it until we breached the surface. We were inside a cold dark cave. Our eyes adjusted and I could see everything in gray and white.
The three of us remained treading water staying at the surface. But still and vigilant. None of my senses alerted me to any dangers.
Luna we must be getting back. Rhea reminded me
That is alright. We will come back and explore this another day. I eagerly told them.
Taking deep breaths we returned to the large tunnel leading out, resurfacing at the waterfall. The moment we came out of the tunnel my ears picked up the water muffling sounds of someone screaming. I rushed to the surface as half wolf. It's Tessa and Isaura's voices.
I grab my satchel of clothes in my teeth before rushing towards their arguing voices.
- Writer
