Her voice was high and shrilly, "It was a f-figment of my imagination, right? That can't be p-possible, right? He didn't just turn into a big c-cat...right?" She asked hopefully, staring at him with wide eyes."He prefers to be called a leopard. And no, it is not a figment of your imagination," his tone hard, like he is angry at her. He turned and faced her, "Unless, you will like him to come and show you again in order to convince you otherwise—""No, no, no, no, don't worry, I g-get the idea now. I don't need a repeat, I a-assure you!" Her heart was thudding in her chest, the memory of Degar turning into a big cat—no, a leopard—repeated itself in her head over and over again. "Is this a dream...!?"She began feeling faint again..."Don't you dare faint on me again, female." He glared at her.Yep, that voice was enough to snap her right back to consciousness. For a man that just kissed her senseless a few moments again, and had her body on fire, he is sure looking so calm, cool, and

Wolfariane felt the exact moment the lightweight on his back stirred from her sleep. So, he switched back to half-shifter because he knows she is not ready to face his full-shifted form as the werewolf or the mountain lion. My bed is moving. Why is my bed moving? Ismena's brows furrowed as she stirred on her...bed? Her eyes opened, landing on trees...so many trees. She is in a forest. What is she doing in a forest at someone's back? Then, the memories rushed through her head; pawning a ring... Wolfariane at her doorstep... His lips devouring hers... His announcement that he'll hold her captive until his ring is found... Being attacked... BEING ATTACKED!? She raised her head from his back and surveyed her surrounding. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong filled the air. It's early morning, she decided, seeing the way the night's darkness hasn't cleared completely. It's obvious they aren't at their destination yet, but at least they must be close because he is no longer running. "

Alphose and Degar led the way back to the Alpha King's tower, in quick steps and tensed silence. The sentinels at the guard scented them before they got closer and opened the gate for the three of them, bowing their heads in greeting to their King. The King beside Alphose said nothing. His muscles were bunched and tensed, his face a blank slate. But, everyone around can practically feel the tension radiating from him in waves. Inside the big tower, they walked through the long hallways with large picture frames hanging on them, to the curved stairway which they climbed to go up to the third part of the big castle. Their footsteps were soundless as they walked through the tiles of the long hallway, towards the door at the opposite end of it. As they got closer, they began hearing a faint howling that sounded like a wolf in anguish. Snarls and enraged roar. They got to the door, Alphose stepped forward and opened it. It was dark inside. Degar walked in first, going straigh

Bathed and feeling refreshed again, Ismena glanced at herself in the big mirror of the bedroom. Eline had been kind enough to lend her her clothes because they were almost the same size. It's her waist that wanted to disgrace her at first, rejecting all the clothes Eline picked out before. But now, she's in a simple loose dress that only hugged her waist before it flowed loosely down her legs. Feeling satisfied with what she's seeing, she walked out of the bedroom only to see Eline and Alphose putting on their extra uniforms. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Ismena. But there was an emergency in the market we're posted on this week, that requires our attention. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take you around town today, after all." Elaine informed her as she hurriedly strapped her guns to the bandoliers on her waist and shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You go attend to business. I'll wait right here." "Thank you. The television is old but it's working, so you can keep yourself busy. Bye...!"

"They are Changelings who have lost their sanity for one reason or another and take to the wild. Our mortal forms tame us, Ismena." He rounded another part of the forest, his arms behind his back as he continued, "Without our mortal form to keep us contained, we will become worst than wild animals. Wild Ones have lost their mortal forms, they only ride on basic instincts.""Basic instincts?" She asked, enthralled."To kill, to fúck, and to hunt. Mostly, to kill." He paused, "Fortunately, they mate with each other during the full moon, so we do not have to worry about mass brutal forced intercourse with our women. But they kill and hunt us. Wild Ones are the most dangerous because their mind is gone. We kill them at sight."There was no change in his demure or his voice, but Ismena felt his pain in that last statement. She has no idea why, but she suddenly had the fierce urge to offer comfort. "I'm sorry." She whispered, sincerely."We have to kill them before they kill more children."