Brotherhood

Chapter 35

He led her back to the cave near the pond where he had been waiting for her the night of the kidnapping. It was secluded and quiet, a perfect place for Amy to get used to her new life. The Minnings army had been defeated and her father had gone to pursue peace negotiations with their king, Tonraq by his side as both protector and advisor. King Merek had asked Geric to come but had understood when Geric had declined. Amy needed him.

How do you feel? he asked the next morning as the sun tinted the sky pink above them. She was curled softly into his side, her face hidden in his shoulder.

Different, she responded. Her words were wistful and sad, but there was also a tinge of excitement there that Geric understood all too well. He touched his nose to hers, tipping her face up to look into his eyes.

What's wrong? he asked, concern filling his eyes as he nuzzled the side of her neck. Do you want to talk about it?

Amy sighed deeply, making the fur on her breast ruffle. The motion made her smile slightly and she batted the long, sleek fur with her paw. What if I can't change back? What will happen to the kingdom?

Don't worry about them, Geric said softly, licking the side of her cheek before nuzzling his head under her chin. Amy closed her eyes, a wolfish smile appearing on her lips. Right now the focus needs to be on you.

Amy stared at him for a moment before Geric stood up, motioning her to the mouth of the cave. Come on, we're wasting a beautiful day.

Standing up and trotting after him, Amy followed closely behind Geric. He smiled as she paused to sniff everything, to listen to every sound. He remembered what it had been like once he had gotten over the injuries Warrick had inflicted. It was as though the world had opened up in an entirely new and beautiful way and he hadn't wanted to miss any of it.

Geric let out a whine of laughter as Amy sprang after a stray rabbit in excitement, using the new muscles in her legs to pick up speed. She let out a joyous yip as she followed behind the fleeing rabbit, not to kill it, but for the fun of chasing it. When it disappeared into its hole, her tail drooped in disappointment.

I can't catch it, she said in annoyance, looking over her shoulder at Geric.

Laughing again, Geric gave Amy a wicked, wolfish grin and said, Watch the master and learn.

He crept forward on the pads of his paws and she copied him. You're breathing too hard, relax. Stay low to the ground, feel the earth under your paws so it doesn't shift and make noise.

Amy copied his example and he waited, crouched quietly in the dense undergrowth until the rabbit dared stick his nose out into the open again. Geric pounced, careful not to hurt the rabbit, just wanting to give it a good scare. With a bark of laughter, he turned to share his amusement with Amy, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Amy? he called softly, but there was no response. He lifted his head, trying to catch her scent on the breeze, but he couldn't find her. His heart hammered, where could she have gone?

A split second later, he was bowled over by a streak of light brown as Amy pounced on him, pinning him to the earth on his back with a thump.

Ha! she teased. So much for you being the master hunter.

Geric took a playful swipe at her shoulder with his paw before reaching up and licking her chin. His words came out as a whine to human ears but he knew she would understand at last. I love you, Princess.

A wolfish smile formed on Amy's lips as she understood, making the same whining, growling noise back. I love you too, Geric.

They didn't worry about anything else for the rest of the day. Geric loved watching Amy get used to her new form, the joy of discovery as her ears swiveled this way and that, taking in the sounds of the forest that she couldn't pick up in human form. He remembered the fear of his first few days as a wolf and was glad her experience was so different from his own.

Making their way to the pond together, they splashed out into the water, rolling over and over again in the shallows until they were both covered in mud and laughing until their sides ached. Geric put a muddy paw print on Amy's forehead that looked almost like a crown as they laid in the shallows together, trying to catch their breath.

See? Geric teased. Even in this form you're still the most regal and royal woman I've ever met.

Amy put her head on Geric's shoulder, breathing a deep sigh. Do you really think that we can bring peace to the kingdom?

I do, Geric nodded. The humans already respect and love you and the wolves are beginning to see what I do in you.

Amy looked up at him, her amber eyes glowing. And what's that?

That you were born to lead and that you'll make things change for the better, Geric smiled, nuzzling the side of her neck. You were born for this .

Amy licked the side of his face gently before nuzzling him back with her forehead. How will I ever change back, Geric? I can't lead the humans like this.

Don't worry, Geric soothed. When you're ready, you'll know what to do. Trust me.

They were silent for a few moments before Amy whispered, I always have.