Eclipse Child |✔|

|16|

Have you never seen a girl like this, 

with crow-like wings where her arms should be

and black blue feathers with knife edges. 

You think even her lips would be sharp to touch. 

(You admit that never before have you craved pain,

But for this girl you would change.)

- the Morrigan // l.s. 

***

Habits are hard to break.

I rise before the others, going outside and taking in the mountain night.

It felt strange to be on two feet.

Strange to shiver against the cold.

My head rises at the sound of movement. My body grows still. Mimicking the actions as of the wolf as I slowly lower myself and stalk forward.

Until the male emerges from the woods.

I did not have time to notice it, but now I can see something from his walk.

He does not move like a man.

It's a strange and fascinating thing to watch.

Each step is taken with a slightly raised knee before he sets the leg down in front of him.

He walks like a wolf.

He pauses also as he takes me in.

We both were up before the sun. Up at night. Our habits of the wolf not yet broken within our system.

"Walk with me?"

I smile as he slowly moves to stand by my side.

I have only seen the skin of this man for less than a day.

Yet I feel familiar with him.

I feel safe in his presence.

He is not a stranger to me.

Silently we move through the forest.

I see the outline of the mountains to our left. They were not far off.

A sudden pang of longing fills me as I take in the feature. The wolves were there.

I wonder if they noticed our absences.

I wonder if they searched for us.

If they were concerned or worried about the two missing members of the pack.

Or if they continued.

Not looking back.

"It feels strange," I raise my hand, taking in the sight of flesh instead of fur.

The male nods.

"How often do you travel with the wolves?"

His eyes are upon the mountain as he whispers, "they are my pack."

I frown before realizing what he means.

"You stay with them?"

He looks down at me then, "six months a wolf. Six months in flesh. Balance."

"Balance..." I repeat the word back, understanding filling me as I take in the look of longing that has possessed those grey eyes.

We continue in silence.