“You are magnificent,” he said smiling. Crofton flexed his arms and legs, “I feel stronger already! Usually it takes a few rounds,” and then he blushed at his words. Sophie shrugged and smiled as she paddled a bit where the stream became deeper. “Sophie! Quick!” Crofton suddenly called out, a note of panic in his voice.
Sophie turned hastily to see a large grey wolf racing towards them, with a screeching owl flying alongside. Sophie scrambled out of the water and hastily began throwing her clothes on, not caring as the water from her skin soaked through the material. Crofton came to her side, pulling on his pants, and stepped protectively in front of Sophie.
Before her eyes, Sophie saw the wolf transform into Linwood, yet the owl flapped nervously above his head.
“Where is Rylan?” Linwood demanded, panting.
“I–I don’t know,” stuttered Crofton, “He was here earlier but — “ his voice trailed off.
“No time! Get her to the caves — now!” Linwood ordered. The owl began to screech.
“What-“ Crofton interjected.
“NOW!” he roared, before phasing back to wolf form.
“Let me take you,” Crofton said quickly, and without waiting for a reply, he scooped Sophie into his arms as if she were a small child and began to run toward the caves, flanked by Linwood and the owl.
“What’s going on?” Sophie asked fearfully. It had been less than a minute since Linwood and the owl approached them, but Sophie knew something was very wrong.
“I have no idea,” Crofton panted as he ran swiftly. Sophie wrapped her arms around his neck, staring back into the forest behind her. Sophie wasn’t sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she swore she saw black shapes weaving in and out of the trees. She clutched Crofton tighter as they approached the caves. Sophie saw some of the pack begin to run alongside Linwood and the owl. Rylan, as wolf, skidded into focus and raced to Crofton’s side.
Once safely inside the cave, Crofton put Sophie down, and doubled over trying to catch his breath. Rylan phased quickly, grabbing Sophie’s hand and dragging her deeper into the mouth of the cave. Crofton followed, and Linwood and the owl brought up the rear. Sophie imagined the rest of the pack staying outside the opening.
Quickly, Linwood transformed into his human self and Sophie watched in awe as the owl transformed into an old woman. She was small and hunched over, dark scraggly hair hanging in her face. Sophie’s stomach turned as she noticed one eye was milky from cataracts.
“What the hell is going on?” growled Rylan, “Why is she here?” he asked angrily, gesturing towards the old woman. “She’s nothing but a crazy old hoot!”
Linwood gave Crofton a pointed look and he took the hint, leaving the group.
“Sophie is in grave danger,” Linwood warned, “Bathilda has been a great help.”
“What kind of danger?” Rylan asked, his body rigid.
“Bathilda has reason to believe that Sophie is not entirely human.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Sophie exclaimed, “Of course I’m all human! What else would I be?”
Rylan tugged on her hand, silencing her, and Linwood continued.
“It makes perfect sense. In fact, I wondered the same myself, as I’m sure you did, Rylan. She smells different, sweeter. She is slight in stature, pale in skin and hair. Not to mention her eyes. She looks like the Dwellers.”
Rylan nervously rubbed his chin. “Is she?” he asked in a clipped tone.
“We cannot be sure. But that would explain your speedy strength.”
Sophie listened to this exchange, not understanding a word.
“What is a dweller?” she asked, exasperated.
“The Forest Dwellers,” Rylan snapped and then his voice softened, “They consider themselves the rightful inhabitants of the forest; the pure ones who have the right to make their lives inside these woods. They tolerate us at best,” Rylan scoffed. “They consider themselves superior due to their magic. They are compromised of different forms, yet all are magical in their own right.”
“And you,” Sophie said looking at Linwood, “Think I am a Dweller?” Sophie felt as though she were losing her mind. Three days ago she was a carefree virgin visiting her grandmother, two days ago she lost her virginity (not to mention loved every minute of it) to a man who turned into a werewolf, and one day ago she was fucked by a pack of werewolves. Now, she might be a magical forest person? Sophie sank to her knees, overwhelmed by this discovery.
“No, I do not believe you are a full Dweller, my child, but I do have reason to believe you may have Dweller blood in your veins. Bathilda brought this to my attention, and she has noticed the dark creatures of the wood come alive over the past few days.” Linwood’s eyes darkened as he mentioned the creatures.
“What does that mean?” Sophie asked, burying her head in her hands. She wished nothing more than to lose herself in Rylan at this moment. Bathilda cleared her throat, and when she spoke it seemed as if she had used her voice in a very long time.
“There is legend of a maiden who was born of Dweller and Human blood. ‘Tis a powerful combination,” she rasped, “Very few Dwellers have ever had relations with humans. It was believed there was one relation where the human woman carried a child. This child continued their bloodline. This maiden would have great powers, and would probably be unawares of them due to living in the human world. She would be intoxicating to magical creatures, especially males. She would make creatures stronger if she mated with them.” At this Rylan turned away, maybe embarrassed, Sophie wondered.
“This maiden would be a threat to dark creatures of the forest as she would have the power to rid them of these woods, should she draw on her powers. She would be stronger in the presence of her kindred Dwellers.” Bathilda paused, “Dark creatures would do anything to stop her,” she whispered.
Engulfed by confusion, Sophie looked up at Bathilda through her fingers, “And you think it’s me? That I am this maiden who came from a bloodline of some forest dweller person and a human?”
Bathilda nodded solemnly and Sophie let out a strangled sob. Rylan was at her side in an instant, taking her into his arms and soothing her. Sophie felt heat course through her body at Rylan’s touch. She clung to Rylan, needing him in the only way that could obliterate these outrageous tales.
“I need a moment,” Sophie managed and Rylan pulled her into a tight tunnel off the room. He guided her down until the tunnel became so narrow they could hardly fit. Sophie collapsed into Rylan’s arms, her mouth finding his, and she kissed him urgently, frantically, hungrily as her hands climbed up his naked arms and fisted in his hair.
“Rylan,” she breathed, “Make me forget.”
Rylan exhaled sharply, pressing his body against her as he yanked her skirt up with desire. Sophie moaned and Rylan covered her mouth with his hand.
“Shhh,” he whispered, “We don’t have much time and they will have no tolerance.”
Sophie panted at the sexiness of needing to be quiet. Rylan deftly moved his hands along her pussy, inserting a finger and moving it around slowly. Sophie whimpered quietly, so only Rylan could hear, and she pressed her hips into her hands, feeling the jagged wall of the tunnel press into her upper back.
Rylan groaned softly feeling her wetness. “I know you have enjoyed being with the other members,” he whispered as his touch made her wet beyond belief.
“But nothing compares to you,” she breathed, reaching for his pants and pulling them down so that his cock emerged, ready and waiting to fill her. Sophie ran her fingers along it, savoring its feel. Rylan made a deep sound and brought his hands to her shirt, untying it and grasping her breasts.
They were so close that Sophie only needed to move her hips a fraction closer, and she was grinding her pussy along the tip of Rylan. Rylan’s cock was grazing just the right part of Sophie and her breath came in quiet rasps from the pleasure. Rylan pressed his mouth to Sophie’s again, and then pulled Sophie’s legs up around his waist. Sophie felt the rock dig into her ass, and she took pleasure in the sting.