After leaving the Blood Reavers, I began to roam the continent again. I was content with how life in that pack had carried on and improved. I didn't stay anywhere for long, just constantly exploring and watching. As happy as I was with how things worked out, I knew that to some effect it was my fault. I let myself get too close, get too attached, and as such I avoided contact of any kind for a long time.
The world was so different from the one I grew up in. The giant sheets of ice had vanished, but I knew if I went far enough north I would still see the remnants lying in wait to be unleashed again. I spent long periods just running through the woods as a wolf, just enjoying the feeling of endless freedom. The wind running through my fur and the feel of the forest floor beneath my feet. My only true companion during these years was the elusive black wolf from my dreams.
I was further south than I had been in a long time looking over a crystal blue sea. The simple beauty combined with the sheer size and hidden fury was enough to make me spend hours simply gazing out across the water. From time to time I would see boats making their way across, heading from one trading post to the next. I like so many was able to find a quiet solace sitting on those beaches, laying down, my head resting on my paws watching the sun dip into the ocean at the end of the day. I knew at some point I would have to cross over to the eastern shore so I could watch the sunrise.
It was on one of those lazy days that I heard the sorrowful crying of a female wolf. It was a sound I knew, the sound of mourning and emptiness from the loss of a mate or a child. I'd made those sounds too many times in my life not to recognize them from another. I just listened for a while before getting to my feet and heading in her direction. It took me just a short while to discover a beautiful brown wolf howling over the body of a human male. What surprised me was how pregnant she was. I moved around carefully until I was within her line of sight. She had enough stress, and I didn't want to add to it by startling her more than necessary. She was so focused on her dead mate; it was several minutes before she even realized I was there. I had lain down on my belly with my head on my paws, trying to make myself as harmless looking as possible. Not surprisingly, that is a bit of a challenge for a wolf of my size. I suppose it was my scent that hit her first as I watched her face slowly change as she realized I was there. I heard her wail change to a low growl as she rose to face me. Keeping low, I slowly made my way over to her before I got to my feet and rubbed against her. I wasn't trying to do anything, I just wanted her to have someone to lean on. I wondered where her pack was, as she didn't have the scent I'd grown to associate with rogues.
After a few minutes, I felt her lean against me and begin her low crying again. We stood there for a long while before she got up and begin to walk away. This confused me as from what I had learned we burned the dead. We walked for a good while before reaching a cave. She glanced at me before heading in and I hesitated, unsure if she wanted me to follow her. Before long she returned, having shifted and motioned me into the cave. She was stunning, with long black hair and bright blue eyes. Being unsure how much room was available in the cave I shifted and followed her in. The cave was well provisioned and comfortable. She had a sleeping pallet as well as a small table with two rough-hewn chairs. I could smell the stew coming from the bowls on the table. A small fire burned in an alcove off to the side which must have ventilation as the smoke appeared to go straight up and wasn't filling the cave. Other than the table and chairs there wasn't much different from the caves my mate and I lived in. Taking one chair, she motioned for me to join her at the table as she ate. I quickly discovered that while the spicing differed from I was used to it was tasty.
As we ate, something strange started happening to me. She had started talking to me and at first, I couldn't understand her, but the more she spoke, the more I understood. I had always picked up languages quickly, but this was ridiculous. I would not complain, since being able to understand her certainly would make things easier. "I asked how do you like the stew," she said.
"It's good," I replied, "I don't believe I've had this blend of spices before." I watched as her nose and her features crinkled up at hearing me speak. I wasn't sure if she didn't understand me or what the problem was.
"Your accent is quite different," she said, "and you are much bigger than any wolf I have seen before. I am Rhea." I mulled over if I should tell her who I was or not. My reputation has a history of preceding me and occasionally packs have been less than happy to have me at their doorstep.
"Watcher," was all I said. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head as her mind processed the enormity of that one word. It was amusing to watch her eyes slowly grow wider as recognition set in. I've grown used to this reaction and its various incarnations over the centuries and never fail to find it entertaining. Most wolves think I am nothing more than a myth, a fairy tale to scare bad little wolves. Some people don't like it when the boogeyman becomes real.
"Show me your wolf again please," she asked. I knew what she wanted to see. Other than how physically large I am, my one true distinguishing feature was my oversized canines. I quickly shifted and sat back on my haunches letting her come close and run her fingers over my teeth. As she explored I found myself drinking in her scent. It wasn't the all-consuming scent of a mate but something was drawing me to her. I knew I would have to find a way to stay close to her for the time being. Her expression was difficult to read at first but changed suddenly when she grabbed her belly. I swiftly changed and helped her to the chairs.
"Are you ok?" I asked. Shaking her head yes she took my hands and placed them on her belly. After a few moments, I could feel something kicking. I couldn't help but smile remembering the
feeling of my children kicking in my mate's belly. "How many?" I asked her.
"Twins," Rhea said, "they are common in my mate's family."
"Was that your mate earlier?" I asked.
"Yes, he was human but I loved him very much," she said, tears quickly pooling in her eyes, "He didn't survive when I tried to change him." With that, the pool quickly became a flood as she collapsed against me. Scooping her up I carried her over to the sleeping pallet and laid her down, wrapping her in my arms until the tears subsided and she finally drifted off to sleep. Listening to her sleep my mind started turning over what she had said. How could her mate be a human and what did she mean he didn't survive the change? I turned these over in my mind until I eventually drifted off to sleep myself.
The cave was just growing light when I awoke and I was surprised to find Rhea still in my arms, her hand resting atop mine on her breast. I wasn't surprised she had slept so long given the obvious emotional turmoil of yesterday but it was unusual for me to sleep so long. If you are wondering how two people who barely know each other could comfortably sleep together in the nude without a reaction I'll say two things. One, wolves are pack animals so are used to sleeping cuddled up with others and secondly, I never said there was no reaction but she just lost her mate and any untoward thoughts about this beautiful naked pregnant woman in my arms would not be right. Extracting myself from the pallet I went outside to relieve myself before coming back in and starting to look around to see what I could make for breakfast.
"Romar, come back to bed I'm cold." This is what I heard as I started getting food together. She thought I was her mate. I knew it was going to pain her when she realized the truth but better than the alternative.
