CHAPTER 6

OWOOOOOO

Mila woke with a jerk as Grace was howling in her head.

"Fine, I am awake," Mila growled as she felt sore everywhere. No wonder she was sore, she was lying on the floor, all covered in mud.

"I want to go out," Grace dictated.

"Fine..." Mila sighed as she undressed and rolled her filthy dress to tie at her ankle. "But it is not even dawn, you know," she muttered.

"How else I will walk and swim without being seen?" Grace reasoned.

She was right.

As Mila now lay completely naked on the ground, Grace took charge. Mila smiled as she felt her body transform and bright red furs erupt all over her body. Her hands and feet elongated, and a strong, broad muzzle took place of her face. Within seconds a big, red wolf - though still covered in black mud - was standing on the floor.

"Make sure no one sees us," Mila spoke in Grace's head.

"Owoooooooooo" Grace howled in agreement as she darted outside and jumped in the water.

As Mila let Grace enjoy herself, she took a nap in Grace's mind. Mila didn't know how long she was out, but a very strong whiff jolted her awake.

"He is coming," Grace spoke in Mila's head and without a warning, Grace transformed into Mila, in the middle of the pond. Mila was half awake and half asleep and she went down.

"Holy!" Mila gasped as she pushed herself up in the water, but it was difficult. She had ingested quite a few mouthfuls of water and she was finding it very difficult to draw breath.

She heard a splash at a distance.

"He is very close, I can sense him," Grace spoke in Mila's head. "Oh, come on, get a grip, Mila. It is just some water."

"Oh, fuck it. You didn't give me a warning before changing," Mila shouted in her head as she forced herself to stay on top of the water.

"Do you realize you are naked, and almost in his presence?" Grace's words hit Mila like a punch in the guts.

Mila composed herself, took control of her situation, drew a huge breath and let go. She went straight down in the water, but something, no someone had grabbed her hand.

Someone was holding her bare skin, damn it! She cursed as she felt herself rise in the water.

Her head was now out of the water and she heard Grace squeal in horror. A hand, rough but gentle pushed her hair from her face, and wiped her eyes.

"You are safe, you can open your eyes," she heard a familiar voice.

It was Rah and he had the kindest expressions on his face.

"You are okay?" Rah asked. She waited for his eyes to turn glassy and him to bow in submission but he just looked like his normal self.

"You are touching me," Mila stammered, "and you are looking at my face, and yet you are YOU! How?"

"What do you mean?" Rah looked confused. His eyes then moved to her bare shoulders and he let go of her hands and swam a little back. "I saw you drown, so I came to your aid."

Mila raised her fingers and touched his face. He looked bewildered but he didn't push back. "Dive," she muttered.

"What? Why?" Rah asked, confused.

A laugh, an incredible laugh escaped Mila's lips at his reaction. "You are immune," she giggled as she grabbed his shoulders and hugged him.

"Umm... not to make you uncomfortable, but you are naked," Rah spoke, she could see his hands spread wide, as if scared to touch her bare body.

"Oh, right," and she pulled back.

"I will leave you be," Rah spoke uncomfortably, then added, "You can swim, right?"

She nodded, laughing heartily.

"I will go then," Rah started.

"But I wanted to ask you a few questions," Mila started.

Rah hesitated, then spoke, "I will be at your hut at 6 in the morning. Sire has asked for you at 7 sharp in the training yard."

"If you were to come at 6, what are you doing here right now?" Mila demanded.

"I came to leave a note at your door. Sire sent a message for you and asked me to deliver it to you," Rah explained. "But I saw you drown, so, I --" he paused.

"And the message was to be present in the training yard at 7?" Mila repeated.

"Yes, can I go now?" Rah requested.

Mila nodded and Rah swam away.

Mila looked around, it was the crack of dawn and it was still dark. Feeling elated and joyous, she swam alone.

"Why is he immune? I never met a man who is immune to your charms," Grace grumbled.

"Who cares," Mila hummed as she untied her dress from her ankle and started to clean it in the pond.

"Remember what mother used to say?" Grace added.

"I remember everything that mother used to say, and, well, I am pretty sure a human is not my true mate. If Rah is my true mate, what will happen to you ?" Mila laughed.

"Well, if this servant boy is your true mate, then I would have to spend eternity alone," Grace growled. "I would rather drown here, right now..."

"I don't think Rah is my true mate, Grace," Mila smiled as she stepped out of the water, naked, and placed her clean, wet dress on a rock.

"How I wish he was your mate," Grace moaned and Mila knew whom she was talking about. Grace could sense Arthur from a long distance, but Mila could sense him when he was closer, and at present, she could sense him very well.

Her mouth watered, and suddenly she became acutely aware of her nakedness. She slumped behind the rock to hide herself as she heard his footsteps approach her.