CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
"I can't believe the sight you want to see is in the woods lady," said Ralph.
"Yes, the woods…Nanny Freya took me to a beautiful lake that is situated in the heart of the woods. I wonder why you never took me there" said Karen as she folded her arms and looked at him.
"You are just yearning to pick a fight, little one. Moreover, most times, you love staying inside the mansion like you are incubating or something" teased Ralph.
"I can't believe you just said that when in actuality you are the one that always scrutinizes my every move especially when I just want to step out of the mansion" said Karen.
"Alright I think we might take the whole day if we continue going back and forth like this. Let's get going" said Ralph as he tugged on her arm.
"Uhmmm…there is something I want you to do for me before we go"
"What is that?" asked Ralph.
"Uhmmm..it has been long I have experienced what it feels like to run in my wolf form, to feel my paws clamping on shrubs, grasses and insects as I take the most amazing sprint of my life and as the cold air of the woods gets to flap on my face…" said Karen but she trailed off.
"...soooo, what are you getting at?"
"You know, even in my human form, I can never get that thrilling experience and excitement, instead it leaves my human form tired. So, I was wondering if you could maybe shift and I ride on you while you take me for a run" concluded Karen.
"I can not believe you Miss Karen Zayn Hernandez! This was what you wanted and you were beating around the bush for over an hour" said Ralph as he placed his hands on his hips in stupefaction.
"Did you just call me your name?" asked Karen with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, I just did. You have any problem with that?" asked Ralph as he drew her closer to himself.
"I don't know, should I have?"
"No you shouldn't. Now let's get this 'date' started. Just know you are one hell of a weird female wolf" said Ralph as he pecked her forehead and began to unbutton his shirt.
Ralph calling Karen a female wolf brought joy to Karen's heart as she felt he still recognized her as a wolf even though she has not even a strand of fur to show for it.
As Ralph pulled down his trouser, Karen pulled out from the realm of joy she was in and immediately turned her back towards him.
"Still shy little mate?" asked Ralph from behind her.
"Still naughty huge mate?!" said Karen in mild irritation "Just hurry up and stop getting cocky ideas" concluded Karen and immediately she was done, she heard a sound like that of the ripping and breaking of bones and she knew Ralph was shifting.
Soon the ground beneath her felt like it moved for a split second as Ralph's body hit the earth.
She turned around to see his beasty wolf. She had been trying for a long time to remember where she had seen this fur of his before but she just could not, no matter how much she tried. May be some day she would, on the day the memory is most needed.
She stood by its side as she stroked and patted its huge head. "Hi doggie" said Karen in a pseudo voice like a lady trying to greet her pet dog and the beasty creature turned its head towards her before giving a low whine.
"I'm sorry for that Ralph" said Karen and the beast gave a low snarl.
"Alright! Alright! Before you get more antsy, let's get this date started"
The beast lowered its body to aid Karen to reach its back but Karen still couldn't climb and it had to lay completely on the floor and she was able to mount it. She held onto its fur and bent her lower body in preparation for the race.
With the focus of a strong and experienced predator, the beast looked into the woods daringly before starting its awaited sprint. As the beast began to run, Karen was lurched a little to the back as she was not ready for the force of its movements but she soon regained her bearings as the beast ran. The beast crushed twigs, jumped over fallen trees, as it ran and it was a little cautious because of the human-wolf on its back so it could not sprint at its full potential.
Karen was having the time of her life even though she knew that the beast was not riding as it could and she was grateful for its consideration because anything that would take her over the ecstasy that she was feeling at the speed it was riding could lead her to dizziness and may be her death.
She could not differentiate between the types of trees as they ran and as her hair whipped in her face - she regretted not packing it but at the speed they were riding, the wind would probably still have loosened the band and set her hair free.and wild. She also feared having leaves and tiny branches of plants when this race was over.
There was a time she felt she would fall off but the beast tilted its body and she was able to find her balance and this time she held onto its fur tighter - the beast was not even pained in the least.
'Metallic fur!' said Karen within her.
They soon reached the clearing where the lake was and once again, the beast laid on the floor for its mate to climb down. Karen's concentration was on the beautiful lake before her that was surrounded by small rocks and as she swung her leg to climb off the beast, she was not watching where she was stepping and her leg hit a small rock and she fell face flat on the floor of dried leaves.
Ralph immediately shifted to attend to his mate who made no move to stand up. He crouched by her side and turned her to him and he noticed that she tightened her eyelids - she was just embarrassed.
Due to the race and the fall, her hair could win the award of the most wild and untamed hair in the history of lycan folklore. Karen's mate began to help her remove the dried leaves and tiny sticks her hair had trapped like a nest. When he was done, she still had her eyes closed as she said a little "thank you".
"You can open your eyes now Karen"
"I don't think so"
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious! You just shifted to come help me and I am most certain that you are without doubt, butt naked" said Karen in one breath.
"You are unbelievable, Querida! Wolves and lycans only wear clothes because of human customs, otherwise we are supposed to be found starkly naked, day and night. I'll just go and get changed so you would be able to appreciate the view you came to see. Stay right here!" said Ralph.
"Did you bring extra clothing?" asked Karen.
"There is a cave nearby where we keep clothes because this is a regular spot for most wolves around this area. I'll be back soon"
"Alright!" said Karen.
When her instinct and other senses save her eyes could understand that Ralph was gone, Karen finally opened her eyes.
"Hermosa" complimented Karen as she took in the beauty of the lake before her.
It had this enigmatic appeal to it that was thrilling and captivating. It was like it was calling to her.
The glow of the sun was cast on its surface, giving it a fiery glow as it moved slowly, in an uninterrupted fashion.
It was calm and serene and Karen could not wait for long because after five minutes passed, Ralph was nowhere in sight. She took off her pair of sneakers before she dipped a toe into the water. The water felt cold but not in a bone chilling form if cold - she craved for a swim.
'This is my perfect opportunity' said Karen to herself. She looked around, trying to ensure no one was taking a sneak peek at her before she started peeling off her clothes from her body. She placed all her clothes in a decent heap by a tree before walking towards the water.
Ralph finally found something perfect to wear - a blue short and he was coming back to meet his mate who he had kept alone for a while but the view he came to face, that was more outstanding and beautiful than the lake, was the back view of his mate as she walked into the lake. She was breath taking!