Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe0355
~~~ Lord Wolf's Gift ~~~

Lord Wolf thought he was answering her challenge, "Ah, but your scent was still quite clear just having left the wolf form. And…" He stopped. He was arguing logic but at some point it had become defensive? And what was he defending? Surely it was his heart. He stepped away from the fire, feeling considerably warmer than just a moment ago. Almost to himself and barely a whisper, he added, "And... I thought you were asleep."

"I was asleep, but in human form. I do not get your meaning."

Again he mentally stepped back into a more comfortable space. "Your wolf scent was still upon you, tis how others that hold the wolf shape know each other and in fact know me as such, regardless of my form."

For the moment, that quenched her debate, but she was still curious about this notion. She looked down at her hands then closed her eyes... and scented the air. She seemed to have a remnant of the wolf form's ability to detect more subtlety than her human senses allowed. Wenn moved closer to Lord Wolf, with her eyes still closed. Yes, she knew precisely where he was and yes, there was something familiar about the man from close association with the wolf.

Wolf stood still and closed his eyes as well. He inhaled slightly. He knew her distance from him was closing but was still mildly surprised when she put out her hands and her fingers touched his chest. Yes, Wenn thought and began to smile, because she was breathing in the scent of Ancient Wolf. Softly she spoke to him, "You are here."

"As are you." Lord Wolf's voice grinned.

She walked into her touch and stood very close as she slowly opened her eyes to a face she began to know and a smile she had almost seen before. Wolf's gaze fell softly upon her, looking into her sapphire eyes and dazzling smile. He slipped his arms around her waist, gently pulling her even closer. Wenn wrapped one arm round him, letting her free hand float up to caress his face... his face that was not wolf, but man... and now smiling more broadly at her soft touch.

Spontaneously, Wenn giggled, "If you dare let out a howl or so much as a weak growl, I shall smite you, m'lord. I swear it."

Wolf made a soft low growling sound to tease her then chuckled until Wenn pinched his earlobe not so gently, to which he let out an exaggerated, "Ouch!"

She snickered, "Fair warning was given."

Where they stood so closely together, Wolf curled over her and in fact leaned toward her enough to nearly unbalance her off her feet so that she had to step back away from him. Then, he wiggled a brow and acted as though he might be stalking. Wenn could barely take another step for her giggling until Wolf pounces her playfully, tumbling them both onto the rug before the heart. Wenn's startled cry ended in more laughter. "There's the playful wolf."

Lord Wolf gently pinned Wenn's hands to the floor on either side of her head as he leaned over her. Their eyes met and mirthful grins faded to soft smiles. He searched her face while she stayed perfectly still and pondered him as well.

At last he lowered his head slowly, pressing his cheek close to hers so she could feel the warmth of his smooth face. His scenting breath breezed against her ear just before he pressed a soft kiss beneath it. Wenndolyne closed her eyes and took a shuddered breath, drinking in his scent again. She involuntarily pulled at her hands trapped within his gentle grasp, easily slipping them away and up to his shoulders. Wolf's hands wrapped under her. He drew her up with him as he knelt there before the hearth. Wenn wrapped her arms around his neck, so that Wolf easily rose with her in his arms, then set her on her feet again.

When Lord Wolf leaned back to look into her face, a shadow had returned to his expression. He kissed Wenn's cheek and hugged her tightly to him. She took a shallow tentative breath as something within her stirred. Her heartbeat quickened against his chest and she swallowed audibly against a dry throat. Wolf lingered one more moment with her, taking in one more scent of her, then he slowly withdrew. The shadow in his emerald eyes deepened to sadness before he turned away.

Wenn stood alone now and a bit befuddled as to what had happened, but in a way she was relieved for the distance and perhaps some time to sort out her feelings. Still it was rather a shock when Wolf left her company and brought back the chamberlain, announcing with courtesy but no warmth that the carriage would see her back to Camelot. She had much to think on during that ride, as the sun began to peep through the horizon of trees.

(dp/dj)