Mated

Seventeen

The man from last night stood waiting. He leaned against the black alder tree in the front yard, its bushy leaves casting its shade over him. He had a pocket knife in his hand, flipping it open and then closed, turning it over to inspect it. Hands clasped behind my back, I strolled over to him, taking my time. He noticed me but didn't straighten his stance at my presence like most would.

I cocked my head to the side. "You're alone? Where's your men?"

"They're with me." My eyes scanned the trees around us.

"Alright. I'm sure they can hear me." Mel waited for me to continue. "I'll go to the Chancellor in Jehiva, try to convince him that Sephiran was only trying to scare them and acted out of rage because they blocked off our water passage. In the meantime you and your men move in in case they do try to retaliate."

"That's it? That's your big plan," his tone was dry. He slipped his knife into his pocket and shook his head.

"Well, do you have a better idea?" I asked. "You feed us a speech about retaliation and going in there head first to get you all killed yet mock my plan?"

"Sure, Princess," he pushed off the trunk of the tree and turned to walk off. "Let's go then."

"I can't shift," I called after him. His back stiffened and he turned around, utter disbelief in his face.

"What?"

"I'm Rogue. If I shift I will remain as a wolf forever." I was prepared for the flood of questions of  'how is it possible?'  because I have been in my human phase for years or 'how do you fight the bloodlust of a rabid?' but they didn't come.

Instead, without question, he kneeled down in front of me and I watched as his limbs vibrated, skin stretching until his clothes ripped to shreds as his fur pushed its way out until he was his four legged wolf standing in front of me. He lowered his shoulder and let out a whine for me to climb on. After climbing onto his large back, and grabbing the fur of his neck to steady myself, we were running across the grass and into the forest. He ran quickly, dodging branches and fallen trees and other wolves joined us, running alongside.

We reached the entrance to Jehiva, its gated city looked very similar to ours with homes of the finest timber frames knit closely together. Three guards in uniform paced the entrance with tall guns but they didn't see us. I descended from atop Mel and he stayed behind. I felt him and the others watching me as I made my way to the guard post.

"Good day," I said.

"Miss Diana," the guards, surprised by my sudden appearance, came forward, stumbling over one another. My ears perked up at the sound of the low growl behind me but they couldn't hear it.

"I'm here to see the Chancellor."

"No one is allowed in. Chancellor's orders. I'm sorry Miss," one of them said, darting his eyes around to see if I was alone and the others shook their heads no.

"Gentlemen, you know me. You know I wouldn't cause any harm here. Unlike my traitor, I respect treaties. I'm sure you can make an exception just this once," I felt my eyes burning in their wolf phase and the men gaped and held tighter their guns. The scent of their fear drifted toward my nose. Yet still, they did not point their weapons at me. I leaned in closer and lifted a finger motioning for them to do the same. I whispered, "I may have information on how to stop Sephiran." They looked at one other.

"Then...I suppose we can let you in. But I'll escort you. You can't go in there alone, the whole town knows who you are and that you're a...werewolf." I followed them back to the gated wall and the one who spoke to me opened it and led me inside. The townspeople who were milling around or going about their way gasped and steered clear of us, whispering amongst themselves.