As soon as the succulent Fin birds are cooked to perfection, we eagerly reach for our portions. The aroma fills the air, teasing our senses and sending my stomach into a grateful rumble. I grab a drumstick, its meaty flavour satisfying my wolfish taste buds. With each bite, my ears perk with contentment, and my tail wags in pure delight. The flavours dance on my tongue, invoking an almost primal satisfaction.
But as the last morsels cling to the bone, my wolf instincts take hold, overpowering any semblance of human decorum. Without thinking, I impulsively snatch the rest of the carcass that Imogen and I were meant to share and devour it voraciously, like a feral wolf in the wild. The meaty juices coat my fingers, which I promptly lick clean, relishing in the primal joy of the moment.
To my surprise, I look up to find Imogen glaring at me, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. Janie, on the other hand, wears a look of shock, clearly taken aback by my display of untamed hunger.
'That was supposed to be my dinner too!' Imogen pouts, her voice laced with a touch of annoyance.
I shrug apologetically, unable to suppress the truth. 'Sorry, I couldn't help it,' I admit, remorseful.
Imogen sighs heavily, slapping her forehead in exasperation.
Xander observes me with a blank expression. His gaze fixed on me. 'I wouldn't expect any less in the manners department from a werewolf,' he remarks, a hint of amusement lacing his voice.
My patience reaches its limit, and my inner wolf growls in defiance. Rolling up my sleeves, I glare at Xander, my voice full with stern determination. 'All right, Xander, I've had enough of your insults. You're going to get it now,' I warned, rising to my feet and fixing my gaze on him.
Xander's eyes sparkle with intrigue, his smile growing wider. 'And what, pray tell, is a mere half-wolf going to do about it?' he taunts, testing my resolve.
Before I can retaliate, Janie intervenes, her voice carrying a firm tone. 'Xander, what have I told you about teasing Rose?' she scolds.
As I observe Xander's distracted state, I realize that he, too, has been savouring the Fin bird with great relish. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I swiftly snatch the remaining drumstick from his hand and the untouched carcass before him. Holding onto them like prized possessions, I sprint through the fields with the agility of a wolf, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
'Spells and Hexes!' Xander curses, his voice full of frustration. 'Get back here, Rose! That is my Fin bird,' he shouts, his determination evident as he leaps in and out of Janie's shadow, chasing after me.
But little does he know, I possess the advantage in this game of pursuit. My werewolf speed outshines his every blink, leaving him trailing behind. I smirk as I run through the wind, the knee-high grass brushing against my legs. Licking my fingers, still coated in the savoury remnants of the Fin bird, I can't help but taunt him.
'I warned you, Xander!' I shout playfully over my shoulder, revelling in the thrill of the chase.
'If you've eaten my Fin bird, I swear, being stuck with your ears and tail will be the least of your worries!' he yells.
As Xander, fuelled by hunger, continues to race after me, Mister Kal emerges from the shadows, trailing playfully behind Xander in our game of chase—his sleek, midnight-black fur shimmers with a moonlit sheen. With every step, Mister Kal effortlessly vanishes into thin air, leaving behind naught but a swirl of iridescent smoke. Like ethereal puffs of magic, he reappears moments later in puffs of clouds.
As Xander and I continue our wild chase through the fields, Imogen and Janie watch from a distance, sighing in exasperation at the ongoing display.
'Do you think they'll ever get along?' Imogen asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Janie ponders for a moment, her brow furrows. 'Well, I'd like to think this chasing and fighting over dinner is somewhat progress,' she muses, a hopeful note in her voice.
Imogen snorts, unable to contain her laughter. 'Don't kid yourself, Janie,' she chuckles, shaking her head.
Janie sighs heavily, her shoulders drooping. 'I guess you're right,' she admits, reaching into her bag and retrieving a bundle of edible mushrooms wrapped in a linen cloth. 'Mushrooms?' she offers to Imogen.
Imogen nods eagerly, and together they thread the mushrooms onto sticks, creating makeshift kebabs. After a quick minute over the fire, the mushrooms are cooked to perfection, ready to be devoured.
Just as they finished the last remnants of the mushroom kebabs, I return to the campsite, followed closely by Xander, who appears beside me in a blink in a flash. His eyes lit up at the sight of the mushrooms.
'Oh...' Janie's cheeks flush with a tinge of embarrassment. 'We kind of just ate the last one,' she shrugs apologetically at him.
Xander falls to his knees dramatically, his voice full of mock despair. 'The gods must be punishing me surely for bringing a human and a wolf into Felderia. As there shall be no succulent morsels for me to devour this night,' he laments, feigning sorrow.
I can't help but chuckle at his theatrics, patting him on the back in a comforting gesture. 'Well, goodnight then,' I smile, grabbing my roll of fur and wool from my stag and rolling it out by the fire.
'You can't go to sleep just yet,' Xander insists. 'We need to figure out our plans for tomorrow, where we're travelling to at first light.'
I sigh, sitting up and giving Xander my full attention. 'Okay, fine. Please, remind us of our options, I request.
Xander settles down by the fire, unrolling his map before us. 'The Sylvan Woods is a two-night journey from here, near the Starlight Citadel where the Mystic Council resides. Alternatively, there's the Witching Woods, a treacherous place filled with all sorts of monsters, including one I hope never to face again,' he explains, his voice tinged with caution.
'So, does this mean you're leaving the decision to us?' I ask, curious to hear his thoughts.
Xander expression is serious. 'Either option carries its risks, but the greater danger lies in someone discovering your presence here and alerting the Mystic Council. Being closer to them in distance increases the likelihood of their interference before we can return to your world. It's safest for us to stay as far away as possible,' he concludes.
I smile, feeling a sense of relief. 'Then the Witching Woods it is,' I declare. 'Goodnight,' I add, rolling over and preparing to settle into slumber.
'Sleep time!' Imogen chimes in, joining me and unfurling her bedroll beside mine.
'Agreed, the Witching Woods it is,' Janie affirms, grabbing her bedding from the stag.
Xander helps Janie roll out her bedroll and snuggles in beside her, but as we fall asleep, it's evident that troubled thoughts linger in Xander's mind.