Healing The Beastworld

CH2: A strange new place

A bright light appears causing Karee's eyes to slowly open.
Looking up she sees the sun shining its warm rays through green leaves of trees above her. The ground beneath her no longer the hard wood of a shops floor but instead a damp forest floor covered with patches of grass, dirt, and leaves. She sits up and takes in the surroundings around her noting the density of the forest around her full of life.
'So this is the afterlife.' She thought to herself.
She stands and starts to explore her surroundings, listening to the leaves rustling in the warm breeze and the song of birds fill the air. Taking a deep breath in enjoying the fresh air Karee take a step forward only to trip over a strong root causing her to fall. "OUCH!" She called out apon hitting the ground. Looking down she notices the crimson red color of blood coming out the palm of her hand. 'If I'm dead why am I bleeding? I shouldn't be able to feel pain either should i?' Questions flood her mind as she stands up up dusting the contents of the forest floor off her body. "Where the hell am i?"
Karee looks around seeing no signs of human life anywhere. She takes note of the sound of ruining water coming from up ahead of her and heads in that direction. After a few minutes she seed a small river with multiple clusters of cattail growing near the waters edge. "Perfect." She says to herself as she jogs over to the plants.
Dipping her hand into the water she washes off the blood that is still coming out if her wound. She reaches to the stem of the cattail and pulls the bloom down to her hand. She takes her wounded hand and gently holds the bloom of the plant and rubs it getting the pollen into her wound. Quickly the blood stops flowing and she sighs in relief. 'Now to find people.' She thinks to herself. She goes to take a step forward to fallow the river but stops when she hears a branch breaking behind her. She slowly turns around and calls out "Hello, is someone there?" The brush began to move, whatever was there was coming in her direction. She takes a few steps back incase she needs to run.
Sudedenly from within the brush oust steps a coyote, not your average sized coyote though, it stands at at least 5'5. Karee swallow the saliva in her mouth as she stares at the beast befor her. It's eyes level with hers "Good doggy. You just stay there and im gonna go this way ok?" She keeps walking backwards slowly to make distance between her and the coyote. Sudedenly the coyotes body starts to shrink and morph, it's hair starts to fade into its body reveling a a mans sun kissed skin. Her eyes lock with hazel eyes as a slim yet toned man stands in the place they coyote once stood. Dark brown hair framed his face, auburn highlights shining where the sun reached his tosseled locks. Atop his head sat 2 ears belonging to that of a canine.
"Are you alright female? I smelled blood, where are your
mates?" Said the man in a concerned tone. She was stunned, had she truly seen a beast of a coyote turn in to a man. "I um... Where am I, and what are you?" She managed to say.
"You are in the forest by Ninebark village. My name is Rontu, I am a coyote beastman. Now I ask again where are you mates? It's dangerous out her you could be killed or taken by a savage beast."
'Mates, beastman, savage beast? What on earth is he talking about?' She thought to herself.
"My name is Karee and im a human. I don't have any mates. I'm guessing the blood you smelled was from when I cut my hand but I stoped the bleeding so I'm OK now." Ronto nodded his head in understanding. "I've never heard of humans so you must have come from far away. If you'd like I can take you to Ninebark village where I live, you'd be safer there." Karee nodded her head yes."I'd appreciate that, can you lead the way since i" she stopped speaking and looked away apon realizing an important detail about the man she just met. He was naked and his 3rd leg was on full display for all to see.
"Is something wrong Karee, are you hurt somewhere else?" Rontu stepped towards her in concern trying to spot any injuries. "No no, I'm fine it's just" she paused for a moment gesturing to his current state "your not wearing anything." She stated. Her face bright red with embarrassment.
"Oh I see, I know some unmated females are shy about seeing the body of other beast. I made you uncomfortable and I apologize for that. If you'd like I can turn back into my beast form and you can ride me back to the village so you won't be uncomfortable." Karee nodded in understanding and watched him crouch to the ground as his body morphed back into that of a massive coyote. He laid on his stomach while he looked at her waiting for her to get on his back. She approached his form and placed her hand on his brown fur feeling the soft strands between her fingers. She slowly sat on his back and situated herself so she wouldn't fall off. "I'm not heavy am I?" she asked shyly to which she got a low bark like sound and him shaking his head no in response.
"Good, just let me know if you get tired and I can get off and walk if you'd like. I've never ridden anything befor so can you go at a slower pace for me?" Ronto nodded his head ok and slowly stood causing Karee to hold on to his fur. He turned and carefully started walking in the way he originally came from headed for his home in Ninebark village with the confused girl safely on his back.