Page 115
Story: Fawn
“Thank you,” I squeak.
I glance down at the cover.
Shared and Rutted by the Wolf Pack.
My eyes feel like they are on stalks. Where does she even find these stories?! I quickly flip it face down and put my napkin over it like that might erase what I’ve just seen.
Time passes pleasantly.
No sooner do they leave than Eiden arrives to take me for my afternoon shift.
“The constable asked if you would take Jude on a tour of the guard posts,” Eiden says. “I’ll take Fawn to the forest for her run.”
“Of course,” Gideon says. “By the way, she has another book.”
“Book?” Eiden looks confused. “On culture?”
Gideon snorts.
“Gideon,” I hiss.
He winks at Eiden. “I’ll explain about it later,” he says. Whistling Blue to accompany him, he strides out the door.
“What was that about?” Eiden asks.
“Nothing,” I say, feigning innocence. “I’m ready for my run.”
I am not, in fact, ready for my run. I would rather everybody go away and leave me alone with Gideon, but he has already left to show Jude the guard posts, of all things.
Fine, I also love to shift and play. It is officially my favorite part of the day when one or several of my mates accompany me for my afternoon run. Just thinking about shifting makes my body tingle with energy and happiness, and I can feel it building inside me.
I just want to run…
The airwhooshesin my ears. When I glance down, I see my dress, underthings, and shoes in a little heap on the floor.
My doe immediately wags her tail at Eiden, who is still in human form.
And then he shifts, too. He is a beautiful stag. His coat is a deep russet, dappled with lighter spots across his back. The thick ruffle of fur on his throat is luxurious looking. His antlers are huge and regal—he is handsome, no matter his form.
I trot ahead of him, down the steps and out into the garden, feeling joyful. The sun is warm and pierces the woodland canopy to warm my coat.
He lets me run, following attentively close.
I have been thinking increasingly of him taking me in this form, of him mounting my doe.
He snorts, and I glance back to see him bearing down on me fast.
My back legs kick out, excitement rips through me, and I dash left around a tree, running as fast as I can.
His hooves thunder as he chases me down. But I am fast and nimble, darting left and right around trees. He cannot catch me. I am too quick. The air seems to crackle with electricity like it does before a storm. I can feel something rising inside me—a primal urgency.
I like being chased. I like it very much. I dart between the trees, trying to lose him—testing him.
I want him to catch me, but also, I do not.
My wild race ends as I emerge on the side of the lake, where I come to a skittering stop.
Ahead, gardeners are cutting down a giant weeping willow that lines the far side of the lake.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115 (Reading here)
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144