Grey

Grey - Part 4

My cheek lays on a large warm object. The heat feels great against the cool air, and I nuzzle my face against the object. I dream about seeing the light, as I follow it... It grows into an Elder Wolf, the elders are what my papa would tell me about when I was little, and I don't think of the stories as just a story to coax me to sleep, but real.

The object rises slowly and I jolt my body up in alert, my wide eyes shrinking again as I sigh, just Khade. Did I fall asleep on the bridge? And if I did, why would he stay. I lose interest and lay back down on the cool, rocky moss.

He makes a puppy yawn and shakes his head, his dirty blonde hair shaking aggressively. He blinks and looks up at me, "Sleep comfortably? I do hope my body was a great pillow."

I laugh and cross my legs, "No, it was the worst sleep I've had in my life."

He gives a sarcastic and offended look, "Well then! Next time you need a person to sleep on..."

I shove him in the chest, "Shut up! You were an OK pillow." I giggle.

He snorts, "Whatever, princess. Your head is so high-maintenance." He says playfully. I drag my light, yet sleep heavy body off the ground, dusting off my jeans with my hands.

"Well, we should get back... I don't want to miss another meal ever again, I swear last night I fantasized about a banquet."

He laughs boyishly, "Alright alright, but I heard it's just meal this morning."

Meal was a combination of wheat, rice, and some weird things they find in the woods. And it tasted very bland, but at least is soothed hunger and satisfied the cravings. For a little bit.

"Awe, but I really wanted some rabbit!" I laugh, "Alright, let's go." I pull him off the ground, stumbling myself as I tried to pull up his massive body. He staggered at my failure, and smirked at my annoyed face.

We walk back through the shady, early woods. The morning birds sing In harmony, chattering with each other. My keen vision observes everything around me, taking in all the sooting colors, the animal behaviors, my ears absorbing only the sound of nature. In the trees a few songbirds fly around each other chirping song fully, my eyes slowing time as their flapping wings slow down, as I see the feathers bend and push in slow-mo. I truly feel at home, and never want to leave.

When we exit the woods Khade puts his hand on my back, I feel the warmth through my sweater. We walk into Pana where some few are awake, mainly children and adults. The teenagers sleep in a lot, as we are changing and wolves at the same time, so we need the extra sleep. But me, I'm an early bird most days.

My nostrils sniff the bland aroma of meal cooking in the cast iron pots, the fires crackling and sizzling in the quiet morning.

Khade's hand rubs my back rather roughly, and I let it stay, I know Khade understands me. Were so close that he's like my brother, but he hates when I refer him as 'alpha bro' because he would rather be my best friend than brother, and I feel the same way about that.

I adjust the sleepy and messy bun on my head, trying not to look too bad, maybe I should go freshen up or something. I turn my attention to the wide awake Khade strolling at my side, "Hey Khay, I'm gonna go freshen up a bit, Kay?"

He snorts, "Go pretty yourself up princess, then, Pen."

I take that as a 'fine' and run off towards my house smirking, as I tell in my senses that his hand was still in the position of as on my back, in the air.

×××~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~×××

After my poor shower with the cold water that ran very dryly, I stumbled off into my bedroom to find something to cover my chilly naked body. I dig in my cheap dresser and find some of the high waisted shorts my dad bought for me in the city for my 16th birthday. They were my favorite, as they were the only decent pair of shorts I ever owned. I slide into my shorts, now just with a bra left to cover up. I grab a white V-neck T-shirt and slide into the soft fabric. My long wet hair dangles on my back, wetting my shirt.

I brush it tangle free and then tie it into a high ponytail for it to dry. My flawless olive face needs no concealer or any blush, as being a wolf has its benefits of always being wide awake and healthy.

I apply a tiny bit of mascara and call it an outfit. When I get outside my inner wolf is hungering for anything, even meal. I walk carefully towards Petunia's house to settle the need once and for all.

Petunia's house was averagely small, yet very cozy. Her cottage had various tall and thick trees covering the front, and a clean stone pathway lined with petunias, her favorite flower. Petunia was a bit of a garden and an herb freak, hence that was also why she was Pana's 'witch' or doctor. I was a very shy person, but Petunia was like my mom, I could be comfy around her.

I step along the stoned pathway and carefully knock on the door, trying not to be too loud if she were asleep, maybe, or had a patient. The door swung open with a huge puff of air, Petunia, the plump yet very... May I stress very strong, broad woman. Her short, curly moss brown hair bounced as her large smile widened, she pulled me into a strong, suffocating hug.

"Oh little flower where have you been! I haven't had the slightest view of you all week! I missed my little flowers company!" Her chubby pink fingers gripped my shoulders as she inspected me,

"No fever... no nausea signs... No pink eye..." She pursed her lips as she inspected my health as usual, she was a bit of a freak, but everyone loved her.

"Nunna I'm fine." I smile, Nunna is what I call her, also meaning Nan, which basically in packs was mother.

She grasped my small bony hand and motioned me inside, "Come come! You're hungry, It's very easy to tell from your aoura, sweetums."

I begin to speak but she interrupts my trailed off voice, "I--...."

"In now! I made maple biscuits and meal, don't become the reason they get cold now."

I roll my eyes and let myself be dragged inside the warm cottage, the delicious aroma of biscuits filling my nostrils and making my mind go woozy.

Petunia bounces into the cramped kitchen filled with various herbs and food, all imaginable. I drool and sit up straight, trying to mind my manners and control my overwhelming need for the food.