When Worlds Collide

Twenty

This is kind of one chapter split into two. I will give you a little spoiler that the next chapter will be *spicy* ;)

My thighs burned. My bladder squeezed painfully. My hands were slick with sweat and I was sure I was beginning to get blisters. We had been riding for what must have been the entire day and we had stopped for only two shorts intervals. I judged the time by looking at the sun's position and it was now starting its descent, ready for the moon to take her turn in the sky. It was a beautiful sunset, colours of reds, yellows and purples joined by a sparse spattering of clouds. Normally, on my tiresome walk home from work I would take a moment or two to simply enjoy the sunset, but I was far too tired and in too much discomfort to care. It had been a hot day, much hotter than expected, and I knew that my poor skin would be burned. I was not used to being outside in the heat for longer than necessary, spending most of my days inside the bakery or at home with no real need to spending any excessive time under the burning rays of the sun.

Soon enough, just as I thought I could not take a moment more, we took a turning into some trees and came across a camping spot.  It had been well-used, judging by the looks of the crushed beer cans and deer bones strewn about by the ashy, extinguished fire, but I could not care less and felt my body almost sag against Belle with relief. A growl came from my left, but I was not shocked nor surprised, I had been hearing enough of those animalistic noises over the past three days.

"Who left all this shit?"

"Humans probably."

"Fucking c-"

"Watch it, there are humans among us, they will not take kindly to your foul words."

The bickering wolves, Arlo, Reuben and Orson all turned simultaneously to face me, sheepish looks upon their faces as though they had offended me and in turn, offended their Alpha.

I shrugged, "Carry on, I hold no offense. I too do not agree with littering our forests. The animals could come to harm."

Orson, the wolf who was about to curse all humans, smirked with delight and finished his tirade. He was a hunter and I knew he cared very deeply about the forest and the life within it. He had every right to show his emotions although I had never heard such violent use of language before.

"This is our next rest stop, our last before we finally reach the gates of Farkas," Callan called from ahead. "Josephina, can I speak with you?"

Reuben let out a small whistle as he dismounted his horse, but soon busied himself with removing his saddle bag as I shot him a withering look. I looked back up at Callan and nodded, giving Bella a squeeze with my legs. I was still absolutely dying for a wee and hoped this conversation would be quick.

"I want to speak with you about everything that happened this morning."

"Please, it was a mistake, I apologise I should never have spoken to you in such a way your majesty, I hope I will be forgiven. My emotions got the better of me, and I understand should you wish to punish me for my behaviour," I rushed.

"No, I..."

"Please, I really must relieve myself," I begged, my cheeks turning crimson.

"Oh why didn't you just say? Go, we will return to this conversation once you have freshened up."

Relieved, I dismounted from Bella and handed her reins to a wolf I had not yet learned the name of, and walked as fast as I could, pushing my aching legs as fast as they would go into the safety and cover of the thickest trees I could see. I stopped only when I had to strain to hear voices and dropped my trousers and underwear. Crouching, I relieved myself with a long sigh, knowing that if anyone would come across me now the relief I was feeling would far outweigh any embarrassment. When finished, I pulled my underwear and trousers back up and smoothed out my blouse before returning back to the camp.