The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 19: Resting

I couldn’t believe how fast the Gathering had ended. It was almost like we never left.

I grumble as I lie on my bed, curling up into a ball. We got back late last night and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why it took us two hours to fly home when it only was around one or so going up.

They told us that a storm had covered the airfield and it forced us to hover in the air for an hour so that it could clear. Not a fun way of coming home.

I roll around on my bed, enjoying the fact that I was sleeping in the same bed for the first time in a few days. Not complaining that the first night was spent with Marron. I poke my head up, hearing my music box playing softly.

A soft smile rose on my lips, drawing in my nine-tail fox plush. I bury my face into its head, nuzzling it. I don’t really care that I’m fifteen, I love my stuffed animals. Rachel would often replace me huddled around one as I slept. It’s a nice thing to hold onto when I needed it. Well…that and Fenris.

I roll softly on my bed, seeing the wolf lying curled up on the mat. He really had played hard with the youngest of the children, having basically kept them out of trouble during the Gathering. I knew the big oaf loved every moment of having the kids climb all over him.

I sit up, feeling my joints pop. I press my hands together and then roll my wrists, hearing them rip and crunch. Not wanting to stay in bed much longer, I spin my leg around and scoot off of the bed. In the corner of my eye, I glimpse one of Fenris’ ears twitch slightly. I kneel down in front of him, gently stroking his head.

The wolf groans happily as my fingers knead one of his ears. A grin then rises on my face, leaning over and kissing him on the top of his head.

“Love you Papa Wolf,” I whispered. He stirs softly but doesn’t wake up. A quiet smirk stretches over my lips, then rising slowly and silently walk over to my desks.

I stop just before reaching “Study” and paused in front of the small table that housed my swords and other treasures. I stroked the Han Kote and kitsune masks, each hold great deal of significance for me.

Dangling just about the swords was another treasure. It was a vial that contained dirt and water from where I was born. It too was a birthday gift, this time from Velhemina. It was a tradition that alraune would always carry a small piece of wherever they were from.

I hold the vial, stroking the crystal container with my thumb, watching as the water and earth swish gently within. So many of my treasures from family adorn my room, but this is among the simplest. I smile softly, quietly thanking my aunt once more before placing it back against the wall.

I pull up the gauntlet and slip it over my left arm, feeding my fingers into the glove. It still was light as ever. It would’ve been funny it I used this during the tournament, but since weapons aren’t allowed…oh well.

I step away from my table and center myself on the middle of my room. There is ample room around me, at least ten feet from the center to everything else. I slide my right foot back behind me and into a fighting stance.

I whip it around into a high sweeping kick, and lifting off with my left. My body spins through the air, twisting as I swing out into another kick, and landing on my right foot. I then proceed to throw out a few jabs and sweeping backhands, followed up by a few more kicks.

After a few minutes of running through my katas I stop, feeling winded. Hot sweat rolls down my cheeks along with a haggard smile. It felt good to get the blood pumping.

I’ve also been training with them as a kitsune. Given my preferred fighting style, it pretty much necessitated a slight adjustment.

When I had settled my breath, I carefully remove the gauntlet and place it back onto the table.

I sidestep over to “Model” and pull over my chair, sitting into it. I lean over into the bin which houses my backlog. I still have a small number of kits and anime to burn through, which again I had hoped I didn’t before I left on my trip.

I roll my eyes, knowing I had some work to do. But it could wait. I spin around and rise out of my chair and head for my bedroom door.

Before opening it, I eye my closet, remembering another treasure it housed, the Xur’canah or king’s lantern. I haven’t even gone in and looked at the artifact, having resealed it when I showed it Master Titalos a few weeks ago.

To be honest, I often forget the stupid thing is even in there. Which I think everyone will agree is probably for the best. I have no idea of what I was going to do with it or if I ever was going to do with it. Supposedly it could locate the key to unlocking the city of Dewloura or is the key. Just too many unknowns.

But…at the moment I have very little interest in the city aside from its history, and the two knights who now live here with me.

I shake my head then reach up to open my door and scoot out. I left it ajar in hopes that Fenris might want to follow after me. Then I remember he can pass through shadows, making the gesture moot. I smirk, still leaving it open as I turn and head down the hallway.

I will never get tired of walking through my home; no matter much I loved the house in Japan. I giggled to myself as I actually owned property in another part of the world. I run my fingers across the walls, feeling them slide softly against the wood-paneling.

My eyes dart around the corridors, occasionally glimpsing a few of the golem maids as they go about their duties. When I pass by them, the maids would stop and bow to me. I smile, bowing my head in return.

I peer out the windows that line the back of the house and gaze out onto the Estate. I take a long deep breath as my eyes pan over the near-endless property.

I thought about going to see the pups, knowing they’d probably jump into my arms the moment I arrived at their home. It be a nice change of pace to visit them. So I might do it.

I exit the corridor and into the foyer. It’s quiet and still, which pretty much was typical for a summer afternoon. It was also dark, only being lit by the sun from the rear of the house. I slip down the stairs, hearing my feet as they hit each step.

One other thing I love doing while strolling through the Manor is walking in either my socks or bare feet. This was especially true if I was on the marble flooring on the first floor. I always enjoyed the feeling of cold stone against the soles of my feet and the sound of them slapping on the tiles.

I land on the bottom floor and turned towards the parlor, knowing that my mother was more than likely there working on business-related stuff. I pause for a moment to gaze at the suits of armor that stand watch around the foyer.

I place a hand onto the one in front of me, feeling a small source of heat emanating from it. I know a being resides within it, lying dormant and inert, only to come to life when called upon.

Living armor is really something else. I had only glimpsed the little occupant once when I first arrived at the Estate over two years ago. I lightly pat the armor and then move on.

When I come upon the parlor I discover to my surprise that it is empty. I open the door and walk in, letting out a small sigh. I step over to the couch and crawl onto it, curling my legs under me. The room, like most of the house, is dark apart from the light filtering in from the windows.

It’s kind of nice to have a do-nothing day. I figure that everyone is still resting in their rooms, which sort of means that I have the house to myself. Well aside from the staff busying about. So enjoy the brief moment of peace while it lasts.

There is still my first outing Diana coming up, but that isn’t until near the end of the week. I am part-excited if also part-nervous about it.

I don’t know, maybe I am being paranoid as Alexis described me. I pull a throw pillow in between my legs and hug it tightly, rocking my body slightly.

The door then opens, hearing it swing on its hinges. I pan over to see my mother walking into the parlor, carrying a small box in her arms. I lean back into the couch as she walks over to me.

She leans over the back of the couch and wraps her arms around me, holding me tight. Her face presses against mine, feeling her peck my cheek.

I hold onto her arm, smiling softly, “Hey.”

Her embrace tightens, “Did you get some rest sweetheart?”

I clutched the pillow tighter, “I did. But I think I just got a little restless just staying in my room.”

“I understand my love. I believe you got used to being out and about too much.”

She was right. Being cooped up on the Estate for most of the month was a little much. While I had more space to stretch my legs and more things to do than I ever could want, a change of scenery and doing something else was nice.

The Gathering helped alleviate most of the stress from the past month. Now I felt completely refreshed but also exhausted.

“So what’s in the box?” nodding to it.

She smiles, placing it into my lap. “This just arrived for you.”

I raise an eyebrow, “Please tell it’s not another artifact or maybe some other world-shaking thing.”

She chuckles softly, “No my love. Why don’t you read who it’s from?” pointing to the box.

I gaze down at it and examined the sender. My eyes grow wide as I read the name, “Minerva Oslont”. I pan back up to my mother, “Are you serious?”

She grins, letting me go and then rounds the couch, sitting beside me, “Why don’t you open it and see what she has sent you?”

My turn the box and rip off the tape along the top. I pulled open the flaps and dug through the shipping peanuts. My heart nearly skips a beat as my hand pulls out the final book to the Stellarus Overture series.

“No freaking way. I didn’t even know she finished it.”

Rachel holds me close, “Minerva contacted me while you were away and informed me that she completed writing the novel. She then said she would send you a copy once it came off the press.”

I grin as my fingers tremble, opening the book. On the inside side of the cover is the author’s signature and a note.

To my number one fan, I hope you will enjoy this small token of my appreciation for your support. Know that you have friends and are never alone.

Minerva Oslont

I let out a soft squeal. Rachel chuckles, “She knew you would love it. Minerva also wanted you to know that she will be starting a brand new series soon,” leaning in closer, “one about a kitsune who travels the world seeking love and adventure.”

My cheeks turn beet red, “She’s basing the character off of me isn’t she?”

She grins, kissing my temple, “Partially, but she might take a few liberties with the character.”

I stare at the book, stroking the cover. This is just awesome, but sad at the same time. Both Dragon Wings and Stellarus Overture were series that I had fallen in love with and had been with me since all of this began.

They each had helped me get through a lot of the turmoil and confusion that I was going through at the time. So it felt like as though another door was closing. Now I had something else to look forward to.

I lean back into the couch, hugging the book tightly to my chest. My mother pulled me into her resting her head onto mine. My eyes slowly close, feeling her chest rising and falling with each breath she took.

“Have you heard from your friends yet?” she asks, rubbing my arm.

A leg popped out from under me, “Not yet. I’m pretty sure they’re all just as tired as I am.”

I know it might be some time before we started up our nightly calls again, but not for a couple days I think. The children have an unspoken rule stating that unless in an emergency, that we were not to call each other after the Gathering. And the emergency could really be anything from a life-threatening event to even the most insane of teenage crises. So the term often holds a loose meaning with everyone.

She smiles, “Are you excited about this Thursday?"

I lay my head into her chest, “I am…but also nervous.”

She tilts my head up, “You are worried because this is the first friend you have made in quite some time who is a normal human.” I don’t answer but my mother already knows my answer.

She’s right, in the past couple of years every friend I had made was of the world I now live in. Oh I still had a few friends from my old life, but I hadn’t seen them in months if not longer.

She then taps my nose, “You will do fine. Just have confidence in yourself.”

Yeah…confidence, in other words just be myself. I smirk, “Thanks Rachel,” then grins, “how did I end up with the best mom in the world?”

She beams brightly, “I would say destiny.”

I giggle, burying my face into her chest, “Yep. That’s right.” She holds me close, stroking my shoulder.

My mother is indeed the greatest and every moment is filled with something new, even if we aren’t really doing anything at all. During that first year, she and I rapidly grew close to each other. We easily became like mother and daughter, viewing each other as such long before I truly became hers.

We also hated whenever I had to leave, even when my visits became more frequent that last fall semester. That fall was when everything ramped up and became filled with both immense heartache and indescribable joy. The two of us still bore scars from those few short months. Most had faded while others lingered.

She then kisses my forehead, “Hungry sweetheart?” I bob my head against her chest. She smiles, “Then let us change that shall we?”

Almost if by some sense of omnipresence, Sebastian then appears in the parlor. The old lycan bows his head, “What do my Ladies desire?”

Rachel pans over to him and then stares at the wall for a moment. She now turns to me, “What would you like to eat my love?”

I tap the cover of my book, “Something spicy and made with beef please.”

She gives me a squeeze, smiling, looking to the butler, “I believe shall have a bowl of potee.”

The butler bows his head and headed for the door, only to stop for moment. He then took a step back, “What shall I prepare for you Sir and Lady Kulvoin?”

I perk up, watching as both of knights appear in the doorway. They each give the lycan a confused look. I snicker softly. If there was one thing I could count on was Sebastian surprisingly being able to catch you off-guard.

Orga ponders for a moment, and then looked to the lycan, “If possible, I would like to enjoy a dish of Msen’tisech. That is if the chef knows the recipe.”

The butler smiles, bowing his head, “That he does my good sir,” then turning to Kateryna, “and you my Lady?”

The elf looks to her husband and smiles, “I shall have the same.” The butler bows his head and disappears out of the room.

The couple then strolls over to us and bow, “Good afternoon my Lady, Your Highness.”

I smile to them, “Hey guys.”

The pair then sits across from us. I tilt my head and raised my hand, “Question. What is Sentisch or however you say it?”

Orga chuckles, “Msen’tisech. It is a grilled pork dish stewed in various spices, bitter herbs and served over a bed of grilled cabbage and rice. Given the city’s location along trade routes, many culinary traditions also were incorporated into the diets of it citizens. The dish became rather popular amongst the knights as it was a combination of a foreign and local recipe.”

I tap my chin, “Might have to try it some time.”

He leans forward, “If you wish, I could give you some of mine.”

I shrug, “Sure.” He smiles.

Kateryna crosses her legs as she sat into the chair. The elf, while looking amazingly beautiful in long dresses, had since began to adopt attire similar to Rachel. It was simple, long skirts, blouses, at times simple dresses.

She looks to me, “How are you feeling Your Highness? I do hope you received some rest.”

I clutch my book tightly, “I did but then got restless. What about you two?”

She smiles, “We rested for a fair time. The past few days were indeed rather enjoyable, but exhausting.”

I snort, “You have no idea.”

The atmosphere in the room felt…normal and I don’t mean the new normal, but the old one. It was peaceful and calm, sort of reminding me of before any of this happened. Back when it was just Rachel and I together.

The knights had definitely come a long way from being the uptight and overly proper pair. They were now more relaxed. But they still were respectful and acted more like Sebastian and the others more than anything. I’m ok with that.

A few minutes later, a cart was then wheeled into the room and the four of retreated to the table where everything was laid out for us. I placed my book next to me and watched as the cover was removed from my plate, revealing a plate of pan-fried Szechuan Beef, made with peppers, onions, and a few bean sprouts. Its spicy aroma filled the room, making my mouth water.

I giggle softly, looking up at the lycan, “Chef knew what I wanted didn’t he?”

He bows his head, “Chef predicted this would satisfy your desires.” I grin.

Orga then slides a small plate over to me, filled with some of his meal. It smells…different I’ll give it that. The heavy aroma of pungent garlic was mixed in with sage, thyme, chili pepper. The grilled cabbage is light and aromatic. Huh, never knew it had that kind of smell. The pork is seared in a greyish tan sauce.

I pick up my chopsticks and snag a piece, and plunge it into my mouth. My eyes shoot open, the taste was overwhelmingly powerful, like getting kicked in the mouth repeatedly. I let out a cough after swallowing it.

The knight chuckles, “Good isn’t it?”

I down a glass of water, coughing a bit more as Rachel rubs my back, “It’s different I'll give it that.”

He smiles as he begins to eat. I pluck a few pieces of pickled ginger and chomp on them, cleansing my pallet. I look to the knights. Now this was a normal dinner, no titles, no stations, just relaxing. I smile as I dig into my dinner.

A couple days pass and I had buried myself into my book. Miss Minerva really poured a lot into writing the final book, as it was well over six hundred pages long. The last book of the Dragon Wings series was equally as long.

The truth is that each book was well over five hundred apiece, so not a quick burn through. I hungrily read every word, eager to turn the page to see what next was into store for the main character.

This is me at my most relaxed, just on my couch and with a book in my lap. I was already an avid reader, a fact that the entire Loreian order, Master Andriy, and my mother knew all too well. While most kids my age loved being on their phones or going out to parties, I really just loved the simplicity of a book.

I loved the feel of flipping a page with a finger, the smell of the ink pressed in the paper, the weight of the book resting in my lap as it was propped up with my legs. All of it was Zen for me. It typically took a lot to pull me away from a book once it was opened. Well…normally that is.

I hear a chime ringing out in my room. It was so loud that I really couldn’t ignore it. It clawed into my ears like being right next to a buzzing alarm clock. I groan, looking up to see where the source of my annoyance was coming from. The chime is coming from my laptop which rests on “Study”.

I roll my eyes, bookmarking the page and closed the book. I then hop off of my couch and angrily stomp over to my desk to see that I was getting a Skype call. I tilt my head on confusion as the caller name was in Japanese.

There are only three people in the country who know this account, so who are you? I clicked “accept”, wanting to see who was on the other side. My eyes then went huge as the screen revealed someone…someone very important to me.

“Konbonwa Aria-chan.”

I instantly feel my body transform into a kitsune, seeing the young man on my laptop. My knees grow weak as my heart races wildly in my chest. “K-Kenji?”

The young kitsune smiles, leaning in closer to the screen, “Hisashiburidesu ne?” (It’s been awhile hasn’t it?)

My legs really feel like were going to give out as my face blushes a deep shade of red, “Nandaka… kono akaunto wa dō yatte teniireta no?" (What…I mean, h-how did you get this account?)

He laughs, “Who you think gave it to me?”

I grumble, slamming my head into the edge of the desk, “Saya.”

He grins, “Precisely.”

I groan, I’m gonna kill that girl the next time I’m in Japan.

I look up at him, heart still thumping hard against my chest. I pull my chair over and sit in it, leaning onto the desk, “S-so how you have been? I mean, I’m sure your great and handsome, I-I mean awesome.” I quickly look down, trying to hide my blushing face.

He laughs again, “I’m doing well. I recently helped my uncle and father with a major haul. You’re not going to believe this, but we managed to catch a hundred and fifty kilo yellowfin yesterday.”

I look up at the screen, eyes bulging, “Are you serious? That’s huge. Did your boat topple over, is your father and uncle all right?”

He smiles, leaning over, and crossing his arms on whatever his was using to prop up his computer, “Both are doing fine, Harumi-san really was looking out for my uncle that day. I think the two finally decided to settle down with each other.”

I pull my chair closer to the desk, smiling. A few times while in the village I’d often see his uncle lounging around on the docks with an adult umi osho. The pair always seemed to tease and play with each other.

But no matter much they appeared to be in love, they never took that next step. Oh, his uncle was head over heels for the woman, but I think she liked playing hard-to-get. So this was pretty big.

Kenji readjusts in his seat but still leans over the table he was on. I’ve never been to his house, so naturally my eyes stealthily dart around to what I could see.

His smile steadied, “So yeah, when we hauled it in, the foreman at the facility went crazy. He said that it was a good omen. So naturally we went to the shrine to pay our respects to Tokomistu-sama and the local ocean kami.”

I grin, folding my arms onto the desk.

“Oh, the head priest told me to deliver a message if I was to ever see you.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Okay…shoot.”

His smile steadied, “He said to remember to always mind the path.”

My head tilted, “Come again?”

He shrugs, “Hey, I don’t get it either. Plus he wanted to know if you’ve been all right since the incident at the shrine.”

My head rests onto my arms, “I’ve been okay.” Other than nearly getting killed that is.

“Everyone here misses you. I...miss you. The village isn’t the same without you.”

My ears flatten, pushing away from the desk slightly and pulling my legs onto my seat. I look up at him from behind my knees.

“When we learned about what happened, Hashibaba wanted to bring you home that instant.”

I blush softly, grinning, “But I am home.”

The boy’s head bobble from side to side, “We know that, but she still wanted you to return to the village. She became a bit crazy, wanting to actually come get you. This made everyone stop her as she started for the station.” I giggle, pressing my face into my knees.

I have yet another grandmother who wanted to come see me. I wasn’t really sure if I should tell him that my other grandmother would be on her way to him. My skin prickles again at the idea of Miriam talking to Kenji. Putting my friends and Marron aside, Miriam is the one person he’d have to be on his best behavior with.

He smirks, “So what about you? What have you been doing since you got home?”

I wrap my arms around my legs, “Well I just got back from my Coven’s summer gathering. Where I fought in the annual tournament and won.”

His grin broadens, “Well congrats to you then. I wish I could’ve seen it.”

I also wish that you were there on the second night. Granted you would’ve been immediately assaulted by my friends, not to mention having Marron size you up.

I giggle, “Thanks. After that we came home. That was a just a few days ago. Feels like a lifetime.”

We both sat quietly for a moment, neither speaking, just staring into the computer. “You’ve been in my thoughts a lot lately.” My heartrate spiked again.

He grins, raising his tails high, “You also looked beautiful in that dress. I was really excited when you sent me that picture of you.”

My cheeks burned even hotter, “Thanks Kenji.”

His amber eyes glisten as he stares at me. “You have no idea how much I wanna come see you.”

I snort, “You do realize that if you were to come so would everyone else. They’d hound you relentlessly,” grinning deviously, “think you could handle being surrounded by those five girls all the way here?”

If he did come, he’d not be meeting only my mother, but everyone else would descend onto the Estate like a flood.

He crosses his arms as he leaned back into his chair, “I pretty sure I could manage. Besides, I only wish I was able to.”

I wrap a couple tails around my feet, “You could always ask my aunt Yukari.”

His face grows solemn, “I shouldn’t really bother Tsukino-sama for such a trivial request.”

I giggle, “She’d do it just to have an excuse to come see me. So don’t worry about it.”

He sighs, flattening his ears, “I...will think about it.” I’m not kidding either. Neither Yukari nor Asha would hesitate in bringing him over.

Kenji continues to look at me, “You still are the most beautiful girl I have ever met, and not because of your looks. You have a heart that I feel beating against my chest even now. A heart that I wish was next to me right now.”

I feel it shudder within my chest. My breath quickened as the hairs on my arms stand up. His eyes never stop looking into mine, “I know you said that we couldn’t say those words until we each were sure about our feelings. I will forever respect that. I think we both know by this point, but also agree we need more time.”

My heart pounds hard against my chest.

“I feel like you are someone I-”

Before he could finish his sentence, a large wall of dark fur erupted beside me.

“F-Fenris-dono.”

I pan my head up to see my bonded sitting next to me, his head leaning into screen, “Greetings young man. It has been some time since we last saw each other.”

The boy bows his head, “Yes sir it has. I…didn’t even know you were there.”

The wolf snorts, “I am always near my girl.” I feel a tail wrapping around mine, holding it tightly.

I know why he decided to appear now and am thankful for it. I feel the same way Kenji does…if only staring at each other on the computer. I tighten my tail’s grip around the wolf’s showing how grateful I am.

Kenji throws up his hands, “I meant no disrespect sir.”

The wolf pulls his head back, “None was received young man. I will advise patience and wisdom.”

The boy bows his head, “Yes sir.”

The wolf nods his head and lowers it to me. I smile, burying my face into his fur, raking my fingering through it.

I bite my lip, looking to him, “I can’t say the words now, but I hope to in the future.”

He smiles softly, “I await that day.”

I wanted to climb into the computer and into his arms. We each were thinking the same things in that moment. That was a dream, one that I knew he shared as well.

“Aria?”

My ears then turn towards the door, feeling my heart shoot right into my throat, “R-Rachel.” The hairs on the back stands on end as my breath intensifies.

My mother calmly walks over to my desk. Fenris pulls away, but just a bit, still feeling his tail wrapped around mine. She smiles softly, “(I was wondering who it was you were talking to. So I knocked on your door.)”

My cheeks burn even hotter, feeling an ear flattening towards the screen, betraying me. She leans over, resting one hand onto the back of my chair and another onto the desk.

Her attention turns to the screen, now bearing a massive grin, “Well hello there.”

The boy instantly rose from his seat and bows low, “It is an honor to meet you, Rivenfeld-dono. My name is Kenji Nonoha. I hope you are doing well my Lady.”

Her grin beams, “It is a pleasure to finally meet the young man whom has stolen the heart of my little girl. Please, raise your head.”

He stands back up and retakes his seat, almost trembling. His eyes dart about, not sure how to speak.

Rachel’s face softens, “I have heard nothing but good things about you young man. If you wish to court my daughter you have my permission to do so. So take care of her.”

All of the fur on my tails stood on end as my eyes bulged ever wider. I knew he already had her approval, but this served as her officially endorsing our relationship. She’s wanted to meet him for some time. I just didn’t think it be while I was Skyping with the boy.

He bows softly once more, “I humbly thank you my Lady.”

Her smile warms, “You are welcome young man and as for your other question I am doing well.”

His eyes keep contact with hers, only doing deviating ever so briefly to glance at me. “That is good to hear my Lady. Know that I truly respect your daughter in every way and would never dream of hurting her.”

I feel her hand lightly gliding over the back of my hair, “I’m glad to hear that young man. For I am sure you know a mother’s wrath is a dangerous thing to garner.”

He bows his head, “That I do, my Lady.”

She pulls me close to her, looking down at me, “Dinner will be served soon.”

I smile, resting my head onto her chest, “I’ll be down in a bit.”

My mother leans over and kisses the top of my head, “Good.” She then gently lets go of me and walks away.

I turn back to Kenji, unfurling my legs, “I should go. It’s not exactly a good idea to keep her waiting.”

He smiles, “I understand. I hope to hear from you soon. I do miss you.”

My cheeks burned even hotter, “I miss you too. See you soon.”

He bows his head and the call ended.

I lean back into my chair, gripping the armrests.

“He truly seems like a wonderful young man.”

My body jerks, not realizing that my mother was still in the room. I gaze over to her, cheeks still burning red.

She grins, “I would support having him visit us if possible. Although, your sisters might have a thing or two to say about the matter.”

I stand up from the chair, tails swishing softly against the carpet, “Marron would probably ask him like a billion questions, and Silvi…I just hope doesn’t scare him off.”

She chuckles, “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. She more than likely be close by to ‘watch’ over the two of you,” winking at me.

I groan, stomping past her. “She’d better not do anything if he was to come.”

Rachel reaches over and ruffles the hair between my ears, “Let’s go down to dinner.”

I smirk, reverting to a human, “Okay.”

We turn down the hall, hearing Fenris padding after us after he closes my door. I look down at him, “Thanks for earlier Papa Wolf.”

My bonded bats my rear with his tail, “You are welcome little Aria.” I scratch him behind his ears, feeling his tails wagging softly behind us.