9. Locke
Locke
I woke up to find the nest empty of my little prey, so I bolted upright and snuffled around to look for her trail once more. Her scent had yet to start to fade, leaving a clear path for me to follow.
She had clearly gone directly outside the protection of the den, which riled my bear immensely. Did she not realize how dangerous these wilds are? Could she not comprehend the potential predators that lurk around who would think nothing of attacking her without me by her side? I growled as I followed her around the side of the building, determined to investigate what she was up to.
My little female was coming from behind a tree at the far edge of a clearing located close to our den when I came upon her. I huffed as I lumbered up to her and nosed at as much as I could to search for any injuries. I grumbled lowly at her as she tried to back away and hide from me before I could reach her.
However, as soon as I was within paw’s reach of her, she froze and I was able to focus on my investigation. Her fear flooded her scent once more and I leaned into her to sniff and search for reasons that she could have to be so scared.
I was concerned when I found nothing that appeared to have harmed her. I decided then to try to reassure her and licked her cheeks.
Unfortunately, my ministrations seemed to make her fear spike higher and higher. I whimpered as I pulled back to look her in the eye. What could possibly be scaring my little female still? How could I tell her that she would be safest at my side? I had no way to communicate with this one in my current form. However, it had been so long since I had taken on my other form that I was unsure of how well such a thing would work out.
Of course, then there was the darkness that whispered constantly while I took a smaller form. The shadows in my mind encouraged me to mindlessly seek out and destroy every living creature around me. Would that voice be worth the risk? My little female trembled once more and it was then that I decided I had no choice. I would have to shift for her.
I swallowed hard and backed away far enough that I could pull myself up onto my hind legs. We locked eyes and both refused to look away as I let the magic envelop me.
Starting at my feet, I knew that swirls of dark shadows circled and coiled their way up my body until I was completely covered. Just as fast as the shadows encompassed me, it faded away in the same order. In its place, I stood in my human body, a form that I had not taken since well before the village we stood in was founded.
Consequently, I noticed that our wardrobes differed greatly, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the extended time as my bear was the cause of that. I shrugged as I strode towards her with my hand extended.