chapter 16

Tiana ¶¶¶

I giggled as hot air blew onto my face, it was ticklish in a way I couldn't understand. I shook my head, pushing at the air to go away, but I only felt someone nudge me by my shoulder. Peeling my weak eyes open, I was greeted with a large wolf standing over me. A normal person would scream their lungs out, but I didn't. For reasons I couldn't understand, the wolf's beautiful strange gold and amethyst eyes was warm and friendly, assuring me that I was safe with him. I wondered how a wolf could have amethyst eyes, those orbs were familiar.

It's Lucian you dumb idiot.

Oh! Now I remember!

It all came running back to me, everything that happened last night. I connected the dots, Lucian's wolf was the one who howled, the howl that pulled out of the hill. I strangely had strong affection for the wolf, more than I liked the human in him.

Because he's nicer, duh.

Shut up Lona.

Good morning to you too. Isn't his wolf big and so strong? Yummilicious.

That's not a w...

Shhh...

Lucian's wolf puffed air into my face. I giggled again and raised my hands up, touching his cheeks and rubbing it gently. 'Good morning my rock,' he tilted his head confusedly. 'You're my rock because you are the strong pillar that keeps me standing. I know you will never hurt me, even though you're a big bad wolf. Unlike the ugly being in you, you are much more lovable and admirable,' he stared at me incredulous, obviously stunned by my words. I could tell it was the first time someone was preferring his wolf to his human. His wolf must have been the scary violent one, so hearing me prefer him was unbelievable.

Well it's true... Lona agreed... I feel much more safer with him than Lucian.

'Can I stand up? I'm getting dizzy,' he shook his head. Somehow, I understood what he meant. "Hold on to my face, I'll pull you up." I held his cheeks tighter, he lifted me up delicately and made me stand on my feet. 'Thank you, I'll really love to know your name, I'm sure Lucian mentioned it once. What was it again?' He stepped back and crouched, wagging his tail. 'Starts with K, right?' He nodded. I closed my eyes, trying to remember the name Lucian called.

Killian... Lona chirped.

I snapped my eyes open with a grin. 'Killian?' He yelped with joy. I laughed and ruffled his hair. 'Such thick fur you have, very beautiful.' Killian's coat was gold, thick golden fur with little silver tint. His wolf was beautiful, absolutely.

Yes, fall for the wolf and not the human.

Can you cut the sarcasm off?

Can you be reasonable and love both? You can't divide them.

Yes, I can.

No, you can't and will never.

Do you prefer I love the jerk that insults us? The jerk that killed mother!

The jerk who is the same person as his wolf... She added... Don't fool yourself, they are the same.

'Ignoring the voice in my head,' I said out loud. 'When are we going home? I need to get back to work,' Killian jerked his head towards something. It was a basket. 'Is that food?' He nodded. 'Okay, let's see if I can eat, no?' He nodded. I walked to the basket and knelt down. I opened the basket as he watched me intensely. Smiling at his worried face, I brought out the covered plates and dropped them on the ground. I opened the three plates and sneered. 'I don't eat meat, only fish,' he whimpered and lowered his head.

"Try it," was what I got from his expression. I pouted.

'This is bacon, I don't eat meat,' I whined. He whimpered again. 'Is this bacon and cabbage?' He nodded. 'Do you really want me to eat it?' He nodded. 'If I puke, I'll blame you,' he yelped with joy, knowing I agreed. With a thumping heart, I started eating, first picking out the onions and dropping them on the ground. 'I don't eat onions, I can only eat it when blended.' I ate the carrots and turnips, pushing the bacon aside. He huffed when he noticed me doing that. I had no choice but to try it, scrunching my nose as the meat met my tongue in a formal introduction.

Ooooooow! Meat! Where have you been all my life!... Lona shrieked. I rolled my eyes... Admit it, it doesn't taste bad at all.

True.

Lucian's wolf seemed to smile as he watched me eat, wagging his tail continuously. When I was done with the bacon and cabbage, he forced me to finish the ham sandwich and then bacon and eggs. I was so full I couldn't stand up again. When I ate the other time, I only ate a little and threw the rest away. But with Killian looking at me, I felt like eating more.

'I can't walk,' I lamented. He laughed, at least that was what I assume the sound he made was. 'How am I suppose to bathe now?'

"Just rest a bit," I rest my back on the wall, moaning tiredly from how much I ate. Never in my life had I eaten so much food. After ten minutes of resting, I could move again. Killian carried me on his back and out of the waterfall where he insisted I wash up while he watched. After convincing him for minutes, he agreed to turn his back to me. I took off my clothes and got into the cold water, enjoying the brisk morning breeze and the pallid blue sky. I caught him spying but I only laughed it off.

When I was done bathing, I wore the dress I had on yesterday, it was almost dried. I stubbornly wore his coat over it, there was no way I was letting it go. 'There, I'm ready to follow you hunt,' he tilted his head. 'You don't expect me to let you bring food for me and I won't bring for you, I am going to hunt for you with this knife I found in your bag...' He growled warningly, baring his teeth at me. 'Calm down, I'm not going to cut myself with it, relax,' he snarled. 'Killian, I just want to hunt for you, I won't do anything stupid, I promise,' he stared at me skeptically. I rolled my eyes and waved it. 'Trust me?' He huffed and puffed before relaxing. 'Good, then wait here and no arguments or following, okay?' He whimpered and laid on the grass. 'Good rock.' Feeling proud of myself, I whirled around and walked towards the forest. I could feel his agitation and fear pricking at my conscience.

He's afraid, what do I do?... I asked Lona.

Assure him through your emotions, he'll feel it.

I did what she said, passing as much assurance as I could into my emotions so he would feel it. He slowly relaxed but not completely. I knew that the moment he sensed I was in trouble, he would come running to my rescue. He didn't need to, I wasn't the best in my village for nothing.