The Last of White Dawn

Chapter 3: The Pillow Fort

The first day of travel was slow and painful. Seb and I had agreed to travel in our human forms because we were too close to the human town to risk shifting and running into stray hikers or nature-lovers. The few we ran into were nice enough, some even afforded us a smile or a nod. I would nervously avoid eye contact while Seb took on the responsibility of responding with a nod, a wave, a smile, whatever it was he deemed appropriate response. After the third small group passed us, Seb seemed to take notice of my strange response.

"Do they make you nervous?" He asked me once they were out of earshot.

"I'm not necessarily nervous. I just don't know anything about them. I've never been around the humans; we weren't allowed."

Seb's eyes widened at my confession. "You've never been to the human towns? Never spoken to one?" I shook my head in response, keeping my eyes on the path in front of us. "Oh boy are you in for a surprise," he chuckled under his breath.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you will see what I mean."

I groaned, "Seb, just tell me."

"Humans have never seen a werewolf before, at least not that they know of, and they are..." he trails off thoughtfully for a moment, surveying the area. "They are drawn to us because of the genetics and the training, if you know what I mean?"

"I don't," I sighed and rubbed my temple.

"Wolves are genetically improved. We're meant to be stronger and faster than the average human. Our human skin reflects our wolven DNA. So, we are more attractive than the average human as well. When they see you, they will be shocked, surprised, erect," he nudges my shoulder playfully. "We're too pretty for them to ignore and you will find that they will make their inability to ignore you well known."

"Have you spent a lot of time among them?" I ask curiously.

"My pack was close to their borders and we were often running into them on patrols or hunting trips. We were also a fairly small pack; sometimes we needed to go to town to collect extra supplies."

"You have a hard time keeping the girls off of you stud?" I teased, nudging back.

He laughed loudly from his chest, surprising me. I hadn't heard him really laugh yet. He was prone to chuckling or huffing at me more than actually laughing. It was nice to see a genuine reaction, especially a happy one. "I am practically beating them away with a stick." He picks up a large stick from the ground and playfully swats it around.

"You're ready then!" I dodged the stick as it came a little too close to me and he made an oops noise before converting the weapon into a walking stick.

"We're almost there." I shook a little with nerves. "Are you alright?"

"Just a little nervous."

"That's normal. Just keep your head up and stay close to me."

"Stay close to you?" I turned to look up at him just in time to catch his cheeks turning an impressive shade of pink.

"I've done this before and I know what can happen; so, stay close and I will keep you safe."

"You will?" I was surprised at his words. We don't know each other that well. Even though the last few hours in the woods have made me notice little things like Seb doesn't like when I wander more than a few paces behind him, he prefers his shoes double knotted, and he too is in terrible pain I don't know if he would protect me; but I trust his words instantly.

"Yes."

"How far are we?"

"We only need to pass the line of oak trees about three kilometers ahead and we'll be in the town."