The wolf nods. I can’t keep calling her “the creature” or “the wolf”, and somehow I get the sense that she isn’t chatty enough to tell me her name, if she even has one. But I have to call her something, so I have to try.
“Do you have a name?” I ask.
She sinks back onto her haunches, tail curled around her paws, and whines softly. I gather my skirts and sink down next to her, watching her. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, tongue flicking like she’s not sure exactly what to say. Or how to say it.
Finally, she shakes her head. She makes a gesture around the cave, and the other openings around us, somehow encompassing all of the areas we had explored thus far.
“All.” She repeats the gesture. “Yours.”
I stare at her, jaw slack, but she keeps talking. "Mate. Mine."
She jabs one sharp claw at her chest with something I can only describe as a smile. Her tail wags, brushing lightly against my leg with every wag.
I swallow hard, staring at her. I don't get out much, but even though I'm not entirely sure what she means, I have at least an idea. Animals have mates, not humans; I've never even been courted properly, and certainly not by a massive female wolf monster.
And yet, is the idea so strange? I've been just as attracted to females in the past as I have males, although I've never given it much thought. She's not human, but she is kind and she protected me. I'm not completely averse to.... being her mate, whatever that means.
My cheeks go pink, and I shift on my knees, turning away from the wolf. She never answered me as to what to call her. I've only ever had one friend, one "person" who cared for me other than my mother; I certainly couldn't name her after my mother. That leaves only one choice.
"May I call you Gray?"
Her tail wags and she nods excitedly. Her muzzle shifts a few times like she's testing the word, but she seems pleased. My face is still on fire, but I'm secretly glad she's happy.
I hum softly to myself as she shows me the rest of the cave, using gestures and sounds to get the point across. It's adorable, frankly, just how excited she is to show me her space.
And if I don't hate her interest in me and her courting, like a suitor, then that's my business.
CHAPTER 9
Gray
My mate does not hateme, and it is the greatest gift I could ask for.
She is here with me, and she is healing, and she does not hate me. She seems happy enough to let me show her the cave, and I want nothing more than to show her every inch of it. She comes softly as she follows me around, listening to my singular words and watching my careful pointing as I try to explain everything I've built for her.
For us.
At first, I feared I would make her panic by mentioning she is my mate, and I regretted saying it almost immediately. I was so fearful that she would reject me outright and run for the hills, but I had just been so excited, so happy she was finally mine. I couldn't contain myself any longer and I had to tell her.
And by some miracle, it hadn't scared her off. She seems happy enough to be here, and she hasn't run screaming, which is a win. Would this work? Could we live happily in this cave away from all of the humans?
The only damper on my feelings is her slight flinch when she moves and the smell of blood I can still sniff on her. I did my best to clean her wound, but it wasn't enough. She needs a bath, which will clean the rest off and hopefully make her feel better.
Decision made, I nod to myself and stand.
"Come."
I hesitate. If I could blush, I would, but I am too furry for that. Wow, that definitely came off too bossy. I swallow, hoping I can ease the sting of that single word with another.
"Please."
I'm not entirely certain what the word means, but I’ve heard humans use it before, so I’ve kind of gathered what the context means. It feels like some sort of plea or like asking for forgiveness. Which seems close enough for me; I don't want her to think that I am telling her what to do, ordering her about like those fools from her village who think they control her. That's not my intent whatsoever.
My voice softens, and I offer her a paw. She didn't seem to mind holding it before, and I was thrilled at the touch. She was rather fascinated before, in fact, and that alone sent shivers of excitement through my body.
Maris hums gently before she places her hand in mind. I lift her gently to her feet, not letting go when she's up, and letting her brace herself against me as we walk.
The cave is warm from the fire near the doorway I made to block the frigid wind. Maris’ cheeks are pink from the chill that has settled in the air and she's a good deal shorter than I am. Her strides are also smaller compared to mine, so I have to make sure I walk slowly enough so I can support her as she leans on me for support. I could scoop her up and carry her into the water, like I carried her before, but I fear that would be pushing my luck.
