The Wanderer

Chapter 2

The snarling Lycan gets closer to my face, his breath hinted that he just ate a deer. However, I don't cower away as I know that's what he wants. He wants to see my fear, to smell it, to feel more powerful than me.

I don't give in, standing tall at my six foot wolf form as he leans down closer, before he sniffs my neck carefully. I let him investigate me, him walking around my whole body, inspecting every inch of me.

I have no reason to feel self conscious, but I do. Even though I'm a fairly large shewolf and have muscles from trekking the mountains, I feel inferior under his cold gaze.

Once he arrives back in front of my face, he licks the side of my face quickly, before turning around and walking away. It was so quick I wouldn't have noticed it happened, but the sparks left in its wake reminded me of what just occurred.

My wolf pushes me to follow him, wanting to be closer to our mate. Not wanting to disappoint my wolf, I walk a few feet behind him. My wolf admires his wolf's butt while I cringe, not wanting to hear about it.

Shutting her up, I almost run into him when he stops abruptly. His bones crack, his body shifting fluidly from one form to the next. He seems like he could do it in his sleep, it looked like it came so naturally to him.

Now I take the time to admire his butt, it being the perfect size. My wolf shuts me up quickly, saying, "If I can't look at the butt, neither can you."

I quickly turn around and close my eyes when he faces me, his thing on show. I don't get a good look, but all I know is that it's large.

A deep laugh is heard behind me, before the voice says, "Shift, mate."

I hesitate to shift back, knowing it is going to be painful. I haven't been in my human form in two years, I don't even know if I can shift back.

His voice becomes deeper at my resistance, taking it as disrespect. "Shift," he commands in a strong voice, making me instantly comply.

No one wants an angry wolf.

My bones rearrange painfully, breaking and reforming constantly for minutes. It is almost as painful as my first shift, reminding me of how scared I was.

My parents were by my side the whole time, and even ran with me in their wolf form after I shifted. It was one of the best nights of my life. I met my annoying wolf and my connection with my family was strong. And they were still alive.

By the time I'm out of my thoughts, I'm on the ground, curled in a ball, aching all over. I look down, shocked to no longer see paws. I admire my hands, not having been in this form for far too long.

It's much easier as a wanderer to be in wolf form. You don't have to worry about clothes, cooking food, or starting a fire.

Everything is so much simpler, and I already miss it, knowing my life from now on will be much more complicated.

I didn't realize tears were running down my cheeks until my mate wiped them away, more softly then I could imagine.

He pretends that he didn't just do that, handing me a large shirt to put on. Grateful for the clothes, I slip it on while he is turned away. He also has put on shorts, making me slightly miss seeing his butt.

"Pervert," my wolf whispers in my head, making me roll my eyes.

My mate turns back around after I slowly stand back onto my feet. I try to take a step, but not having been in this form in so long, I almost tumble to the ground. My mate is there to catch me, putting his hands on my waist to steady me.

His hands stay there, him encouraging me to continue walking. He steps back one step, making me step forwards one. We do this until I can walk on my own.

I smile as I walk by myself, more proud than I thought I'd be. I look to my mate to see him already looking at me, his lips quirking up slightly.

The small smile that graces his lips makes me internally swoon, his dark eyes looking at my face intently. I take this time to admire his looks. His tan skin is lighter than my own, his dark hair rivaling his eyes.

Looking away after realizing I'm staring, I meet his eyes again when he asks, "What's your name?" His deep voice surprises me everytime. With him looking so young, you wouldn't expect it.

"C-Calista," I stutter out, my vocal cords getting used to being used again.

"Well, Calista, I'm Nikolai."

The way he says my name makes me shudder, like it holds the utmost importance to him. Also, his name is hot and full of strength, suiting his tall frame.

He towers over me at around 6'8, while I'm only 5'9.

He seems to notice this too, muttering, "You're so short."

"Well, yea. Compared to you... a giant," I snap back, always being self conscious about my height. When I was younger, I had been the shortest of my age, until fifteen when I hit my growth spurt. Finally I was taller than the majority of the girls, but now, I feel small once again.

He rolls his eyes at my comment, before gesturing for me to follow him.

"Where are we going?" I ask unsurely, not trusting him as he is a rogue, even if he doesn't seem like the rogues I've heard about.

"I'm bringing you to your new home, mate."