Winter Wolves

Chapter 10

The she-wolf saw how Hannah approached almost running, with a smile so bright that she could smell the girl's happiness from afar. When the girl was by her side, she said:

-Stay still, I have the key, I just have to uncollar you...-

The she-wolf laid down and remained still. She could feel Hannah's hands tracing the collar, until she found the keyhole and inserted the key. With a small "click" the collar fell loose from her neck. The relief the wolf felt had no way of being described. She felt stronger, she could breathe better, a literal and figurative weight had been lifted off her shoulders the moment the collar fell to the floor.

She stood up and stretched, letting out a yawn and a whine. Hannah was smiling, probably because of the smell of her relief. The wolf started rubbing against Hannah's legs, letting the girl now how grateful she was for removing the collar.

-Lets go, at this time of day the hot pools are always empty, everyone is working...We have a couple of hours without any chance of interruption to get you all cleaned up, follow me! -

Hannah begun walking and the she-wolf trailed behind her, her snout always just a few inches away from Hannah's hand. The girl seemed to know where she was going, but sometimes her steps lacked confidence. As for the wolf, it kept looking sideways, looking out for any threat that could hurt her friend or herself.

The walked uphill until the wolf saw a stone building, once they reached it Hannah explained that they had build the building to provide extra comfort to the natural hot pools. They entered the building and the first thing to register in the wolfs mind was the contrast from the temperature from the building and outside. Inside was extremely hot and steamy, while outside the snow remained as cold as ever. Next came the smells, the she-wolf made out the characteristic smell of soap, and essential oils: lavender, thyme, rosemary. It all smelled nice. Lost in her thoughts, the sound of things falling to the floor startled the wolf. Hannah was speaking between her teeth while grabbing brushes and bowls and bottles of shampoo from a rack on the other side of the room and came back to the wolf.

-Choose a pool and get inside, I'll follow you...-

The wolf saw a small and shallow pool and stepped inside of it. The hot water made her muscles feels as if they were melting, it was a wonderful feeling. Hannah walked behind her and when she reached the pool where the wolf was, she put all the things she was carrying on the floor. She removed her jacket, her jeans and last her blouse. Nudity was not an issue between wolves, the animal side didn't mind the lack of cover and the human side had grown used to it because in between shifting carrying clothes always became a burden.

Hannah sat on the edge of the pool and after testing the temperature with her toes, she got inside with a little splash. The wolf nudged her stomach with her nose, letting the girl know she was right there.

-I'll use lavender shampoo on you, I think it fits you. First lather, then brush, then rinse. I will do this as many times as necessary until you don't reek of blood, grime and death...-

Hannah took a bottle of shampoo and squeezed a generous amount from the top of the wolfs head to her rump. The she began massaging the wolf until lather appeared.

The she-wolf had not fell this cared for and loved since the last time her mother and sisters had given her a bath, a long time ago, when she still used her skin. The goddess knew it had been a long time ago.

Pack-less wolves were dead wolves. She was a pack-less wolf, but had she stayed with her family no doubt she would be dead. She was breathing, her heart beating, but at what price? She was a prisoner to an Alpha male, her mate. A word that no longer stirred hope inside her. This male had her chained for months, during winter season. All Alphas where the same.

But at least one good thing had come out of this situation. She had found family. Hannah didn't care that she couldn't return to her skin side, she didn't fear her, she didn't judge her. Hannah cared for her, fed her, and kept her company. Many meals ago Hannah had become a part of the she-wolfs family, and she would like one day to have Hannah meet her mother and sisters.

All this feelings where overwhelming the wolf, thinking of her family, old and new one brought feelings that she had not felt before while being on her fur side. Her chest burned and hurt, at the remembrance of the people she had to leave being and the girl that had found her. It was all bittersweet.

While the wolf kept her mind wheels turning, Hannah had been working diligently, and now she was rinsing all the shampoo from her coat. Then Hannah asked her to step out of the pool and began rubbing her with a towel, to remove the excess water. Once they were done, they slowly walked back to the place where she had laid the last few months. It was time to put the collar back on.

-I'm sorry, It was an order, I am really really sorry...- Tears were slipping from Hannah's eyes, and the she-wolf could smell the despair the girl felt. She knew she had been ordered to collar her again. And she was so grateful for the bath that she didn't want Hannah to feel worse. So, she remained still and exposed her neck to the silver collar, whose lining Hannah had been kind enough to replace for a clean one. The moment the collar closed again on her neck she felt the heaviness fall upon her shoulders.

Hannah left, still crying, and the wolf crouched and cuddle as best as she could on the snow, and felt sleep overtake her.