He was huge in his werewolf form. His fur was shiny, black, and long. Had he not kept his coat trimmed, he would have looked far more 'shaggy'. Even as a wolf he was handsome. Myranda couldn't keep her eyes off of his golden ones as they sat across from one another as their native selves.
To others around, no one could hear them speak - but from their snouts, they had a full-on conversation that used different patterns of sounds with their noses (a lot like Morse code). All Lycans learned how to speak through their snouts from a young age, and it was part of what made them so efficient in battle.
No one can plan against you if they can't understand you.
"Thank you. I've always wanted to do my rounds with someone. Doing this alone is boring, and that's probably why you caught me....err, chasing my tail.." he chuffed and looked away towards the ground for just a moment in embarrassment.
"Yeah..." Myranda replied uneasily.
"I wish you didn't hate me already," he followed up and looked her in her 'white' and gold eyes.
She was much smaller than he was, and her coat was by far the most interesting he'd ever seen on their kind. Myranda's white fur was shiny and bright, and the black spots were more of a brown-like color with red high-lights unlike his midnight coat.
His favorite part was the large patch of black that ran over her white eye in a rough circle, and then bled out into the white of her main coat color. He especially noted the dots and lines of white, black, and red that made up patterns that mimicked a mix of salt, pepper, and paprika. (The humans had likened such markings to an Australian Cattle Dog when they had lived).
When she realized his gaze lingered upon her, she averted her eyes and looked towards the treetops.
"I wish you wouldn't stare. I know I'm not good to look at, but you're being rude," she finally said and dug at the ground with her paws.
"Oh, I apologize. I wasn't staring because of anything like that - I am staring because you are alluring. I've never seen someone with such glorious patterns and shapes in coat. I like where overlaps like inside of geodes from mines. I'll stop enjoying the scenery, as you ask - but you shouldn't say such lowly things about yourself. I don't like knowing my mate feels such a way about her own beauty. It's not right," he said, and then turned his head up towards a beaten path that looked as though it had been used many times.
"Come, I can show you the best view in the world" he followed up quickly and turned to face her so he could lead her around the territory, as well as scope for anything out of the ordinary.
He bound off without her reply, and she felt a mix of emotions again. 'How dare he just get the last word like that...' followed up by, 'but it was kind of hot, and I hate how much I want to run after him now...'
She watched his black paws fly into the air as he leapt onto a ledge that led up into a thicker portion of trees with little effort. His elegant pounces and strides made her want to chase after him at breakneck speeds. It was a mix of the presence he commanded, and the natural instinct inside of her to go after the thing that ran away from her.
She let herself free and allowed instinct to set in as she followed him over small hills, little dells, and tiny streams of water. At one point, they reached a large river that had a long tree log across it. At first Myranda was weary, but then she saw how Metas made his little pitter-pat of paws across the threshold, she followed in suit so she didn't look less brave than the Prince.
Part of her was upset that he wasn't at all what he seemed - but the other was relieved that he wasn't. It really wasn't fun being wrong, but she was soothed to see her mate wasn't the monster she had already painted him to be.
He looked as though he had made this entire run a 'dance' as he led her though patches of branches, under logs, and over grassy tops of boulders.
The more they ran, the less of a challenge it was for her to follow him, and more of a game to see if she could do everything her 'nemesis' could.
Then, it dawned on her: she this had been fun. That repulsive prince had used his charm and lured her into some fun with him!
Myranda was ready to stop the chase after her realization, but she couldn't bring herself to it when he looked back to check on her with a wide, open smile on his face as he took in air through his open mouth to let his tongue fly free.
The last time she had ever seen anyone that happy was when she and her siblings played in the snow many many years past. Now she would be the monster if she took that joy from him, and honestly - it made her feel good to see her mate so happy.
'No, stop this, brain. This is a one-time deal, and then we're done. We're not falling into this kind of game. I feel like this whole thing is a giant, nasty setup' Myranda denied silently as she took off after Metas again when he sprung into a lightning bolt through the foliage that had become greener they further they went from the mountain.
Once more joy bubbled up in her chest, and she felt reinvigorated to catch up to the regal male to prove herself just as capable as he was....
...and then he stopped dead in his tracks, which sent Myranda into a skid as she tried to avoid.
Her paws burned and got scraped up with debris as she did her best to stall the inevitable.
Despite her best attempt - she failed.