Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Fawn
T oday is the seventh day and my tummy is in knots. For today we will arrive at the capital of all the stag shifters.
We pack up our small camp, stowing the few belongings in a satchel I carry as I ride Wolf’s back. Blue, who trots along at our side, has nowhere near the strength and stamina of Wolf or Seven, but my brave boy has done a good job of keeping up.
As we travel, I find reasons to watch Seven as he runs ahead. The fur over his chest and throat is thick and ruffled, making my fingers itch to pet it. I probably would indulge myself if he didn’t shift to human so swiftly at the end of the day.
I’m also curious about how he can change just his antlers and whether he has yet another form… like Wolf has his beast.
I also wonder about the stag village and what it might look like. My life experience does not stretch beyond the two packs I called home and the human village, a few miles away, that I visited on occasion.
The unsettled feeling in my belly might also be due to Wolf’s constant tending, which has grained ever greater enthusiasm the nearer we draw to our new home.
Seven is stoic and rarely offers much. Maybe he is worried that we are in danger until we reach the safety of his herd. I occasionally sense his disapproval directed at Wolf and perhaps even me. I cannot say why, but I get the impression he is holding part of himself back.
Something tells me I am not ready for all of him and that it’s better for him to keep his secrets for now.
Ahead of us, Seven suddenly slows and then stops. Following his lead, Wolf stops a few paces behind with Blue at our side.
Two stags emerge from the forest path before us, trotting eagerly over to greet Seven before their gazes shift to where I ride on Wolf’s back.
I sit higher so I can better see.
Wolf suddenly growls, his head swinging from left to right.
Seven shifts to human, turning to face us. Only now do I notice the many stags peering at us through the trees on every side.
“Fear not,” Seven says, bowing. “These are members of my herd. They will escort us the rest of the way home.”
Wolf rumbles another growl. I stroke my fingers through the thick coat at the back of his neck. “It is fine, Wolf,” I say, although I do not believe he understands the words in this form. “We are nearly there. We are nearly at our new home.”
Seven smiles. He doesn’t smile often, and it feels like the sun is coming out, making me light and happy.
He shifts back to a stag, and we continue at a trot with the stag escorts forming around us. The narrow forest track opens into a broader path. Soon after, joining a wide, meandering, cobbled road.
Ahead, on the left and nestled among the giant trees, is a huge ruin covered in creepers and vines, with great tumbled rocks spilled all around it, half buried under tall ferns. A river merges to the right of the cobbled road, and as we turn the next corner, the stag city—for this must surely be a city and no village—comes into view with tall trees and buildings peeping over a high stone wall that is covered in lush creeping foliage and vibrant flowers.
A distant horn sounds, setting off flutters in my belly.
On the left, where the wall merges with a craggy hillside, a tumbling waterfall springs, feeding into the river, which passing under a low bridge directly before the soaring stone entrance to the city.
A horn sounds again as we cross the bridge and enter the walled city.
Inside, I find magnificent stone dwellings surrounded by manicured gardens, ornate statues, and flowers blooming in every color of the rainbow.
A horn sounds yet again, closer, and my heart pounds in my chest as the noble citizens surge from parks and buildings, gathering at the side of the road: ladies in their flowing gowns, men in silk suits, and warriors in armor.
Wolf remains in his animal form. Riding on his back offers me a vantage point. I feel his tension under me, note how his head swings from side to side, how his nose lifts, catching the unfamiliar scents on the light breeze.
Our procession stops before a sprawling building that must surely be a palace, where trailing blooms spill from every window and balcony and yet more crowds await us.
Seven shifts to human. Our escort forms a protective circle around our party, holding the curious citizens back.
I am intimidated. In all my life, I have never seen such grandeur, nor so many people.
The circle of stag escorts turn to face me. They shift to human form and drop to one knee, heads lowered.
Blue sits attentively close to Wolf, like me, perhaps a little overwhelmed.
Seven holds out his hand.
He has made no move to touch me since we left my former home, and it seems significant that he does so now.
Ahead, two regal men step forward, entering the circle. They are dressed in the manner of warriors, with simple leather pants and boots and naked and unadorned chests. The one on the left has shimmering bronze skin and red-gold hair. The one on the right has a lighter golden complexion, raven hair, and dark, intense eyes.
As I slide down Wolf’s back, he shifts to human, and his hand catches mine, stilling me.
There is an impasse.
Seven still holds out his hand, waiting expectantly.
“Be welcome,” Seven says, his voice carrying over the hushed crowd. “Welcome to my home, now your home, Fawn and Jude.”
Wolf’s hand trembles very faintly where it holds mine, and I glance up at him to find his jaw tight and his gaze fixed upon Seven before it moves to the two stag shifters who joined us in the circle.
“I always knew you were playing the long game,” Wolf says dryly, breaking the stifling tension. “I just didn’t know how it might manifest.”
Seven’s acknowledgment is a brief smile.
And then Wolf steps forward, taking me with him, until I’m at Seven’s side, where his hand, large, warm, and comforting, claims mine.
A cheer goes up from the crowd around us.
Why do I feel like I am sliding out of my skin and into a new, unknown one? Why do the intense gazes of these two unknown men melt my doe, making her want to prance, skip, and preen?
“If I may introduce you to my two closest companions,” Seven says, first indicating the male with the shimmering bronze skin. “This is Eiden, our herd omega.”
I blink and turn to Seven in question. “An omega?”
He smiles. “Indeed, an omega. Many herds have a male and female omega.” He indicates the second male. “And this is Nox. My second in command. They are both accomplished warriors and protectors of the herd. With your permission. They will now be your protectors.”
This likewise feels significant. Only I think they will be more than protectors, I think he means them to be my courtiers.
Wolf’s hand no longer shakes in mine and remains a comforting presence. My fingers squeeze lightly over both Wolf’s and Seven’s hands.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” I say, bowing my head at the two men.
But I am also bombarded by their new enticing scents.
A shiver runs all the way to my tail, which is not even there while in human form, followed by a distinct and very heavy gush of slick. My legs cut out from under me.
Wolf growls and swings me up into his arms. “You’re overwhelming her, assholes.”
I bury my face against his chest and curl up against him, seeking to hide, wishing I was not drawing attention to myself like this in front of all these noble stag shifters.
When I dare to peek out the corner of my eye, I see a stricken look upon the omega’s face, a frown of worry on his dark-haired companion, and then a softening upon Seven’s face.
I feel terrible, as if I’ve disappointed him. “I am so sorry,” I say.
Seven steps right up to me, blocking my view of the many people, everyone but him and Wolf.
His knuckles brush down my cheek. “It is I who should be apologizing. Come. Let us take you in. You may rest with your Wolf in peace. Tomorrow, we shall talk.”