“Do you like how things are coming together?” I asked.
She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips as she evaluated her progress. “I think so! You can’t see the stains anymore.” There was a hint of pain within the statement. It was acknowledging that under that fresh natural paint, there was blood. Butmostlyher voice was thick with pride.
I nodded. “It looks great.”
There was a rattle and shrill “hhhaaahhhhrrrr” to our right. I usually ignored the sounds of the forest beasts, but Vivian turned to face the small skeletal creature peering over the wheat, cloaked in mist and standing on its hind legs.
“I feel bad that it’s hungry. I almost wish we had more to feed it,” she chuckled darkly with a cringe. “Is that fucked? That’s probably pretty fucked, huh?”
Vivian had taken the news that I was disposing of her assailants via the local wildlife surprisingly well. We agreed it was better she wasn’t present for “cleanup” right now, but the concept didn’t really bother her. The exact words were that they “shouldn’t go to waste” when I’d delicately explained my solution.
Not only was she fine with it, but she’d started referencing the beasts like they were pets. She was playing around withnamingeach species. The creature that was pokingits head over the wheat currently was of a species called “Marvin”. He was part of the group referred to as the “little fuckers”, not to be confused with the “big fuckers”. My goddess had a dirty mouth and a twisted sense of humor. And she was weaponizing both to get through all this shit.
I didn’t think “I’m sure we'll have more to feed them soon” was the correct response—in fact I couldn’t think of agoodresponse—so I changed the topic. “You should rinse off if you don’t want to stain the bedding,” I suggested gently.
“Oh, right.” She blinked away her sad expression, thankfully nottootorn up about not having more people coming to kidnap her. “Good thinking!” She started unlacing her bodice, handing it to me to hold, then confidently peeled the ruined dress from her body.
My eyes appreciatively roamed every curve and dip of my mate, my cocks stirring against my thigh. Her recent sexual appetites were unhinged and voracious.
Seeing her undressed, it was hard not to remember every vulgar thing I’d done to her divine body since returning. That said, I wouldn’t initiate when she had just stated she was tired. Besides, Vivian had been doing awonderfuljob telling me exactly when she wanted intimacy and how she wanted it. The confidence she had in her body was thriving. If she was interested in sex right now, I would know.
I forced myself to walk away and got to work.
While Viv bathed, I cleaned up her painting workspace, stealing the occasional glance at my pretty female. Exposed and in her natural habitat. Running her hands over her curves. Glistening with water. These moments were prayer to me. Reverence and gratitude might have me on my knees if I weren’t busy trying to be helpful. Her softly singing voice floated in myears like the most beautiful wind chime. I was a male created for destruction and death, and I didn’t know why I’d been gifted this female created for healing and life.
I silently thanked my goddess for blessing me with her companionship.
The natural light of the cabin was dim and cool, filtering through the nearby trees before reaching her bedroom window. Vivian sat on our bed, cat in her lap, glugging down a jar of water.
“Wake me up before starset for our walk?” she asked, handing me the empty jar and sliding under the covers. Nurghle looked offended by the movement but quickly settled on her chest.
“Absolutely,” I smiled. She wanted to go of her own volition. Even after a long day of physical labor, she wanted to explore. Progress.
I brought the empty glass to the kitchen, and her eyes were closed by the time I returned. I sat carefully on the edge of the mattress, running my fingers through her wet hair. The corners of her full lips curled into a smile, confirming that the touch was appreciated. After not much time at all, Vivian began to softly snore. My wild little thing was so tuckered.
I’ve never been the contemplative type. I prefer to make decisions and act quickly. It served me well in my careers. But Vivian stirred my mind like nothing ever had. I was spending large chunks of my day fixated on what I’d done to make it here: mated to such a perfect female.
It was starting to feel safe to be introspective again. These days, the guilt that’d always been pounding on the locked door in the back of my mind grew quieter. If every murder I committed brought me to her, made the world a safer place for her, I couldn’t regret it anymore.
My reflections came to a screeching halt when a noise caught my attention. I silenced my thoughts and focused my senses.
Voices. Many voices.
I looked down at Vivian and a low growl built in my chest. How anyone could think of disturbing her peace—hurting her—was disgusting. Couldn’t they take “no” as a fucking answer?! I was already picturing throwing the remains of the intruders to “Marvin” who’d be getting first dibs on dinner today since he showed up early.
I quietly stripped down to my loose underwear and started shifting.
This was still new to me. I could count on two hands the number of times I’d been feral in my life, and half were this summer. But, this form would take care of the problem quickly. Safely. Mostly mess-free. So, I’d have to grow used to the way my legs felttoolong, and I feltsotop heavy. My center of balance was entirely thrown off, forcing me to curl forward.
I barely fit through the goddamn doorway. Squeezing out of the cabin, I launched across the field on my hands and feet. The intruders would be crossing the border at any moment.
I was practically on them before I could register anything other than rage. I was on a mission for blood and wasn’t prepared for anything less.
Maybe that was why I stood staring at the familiar group like a dumb beast.
“Down, boy,” Mykie huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
My mind was whirling, trying to reroute my fury. My chest heaved with enraged breaths. I was standing with all four arms flexed to my sides ready to attack myfriends. I must look fucking ridiculous, half-naked and feral in front of people who knew me as a normal male.
